Assembly of the Opel Astra Classic to Start in the Ukraine

Press Release

Adam Opel AG and ZAO ZAZ intensify cooperation

Kiev/Rüsselsheim. ZAO ZAZ, the largest car manufacturer in the Ukraine, is starting with CKD (Completely Knocked Down) assembly of the second generation Opel Astra - the Opel Astra Classic - at its plant in Zaporoshje this month. Local assembly of the Astra Classic comes as a further stepping stone in an agreement reached by Adam Opel AG, ZAO ZAZ and OOO UkrAvtoZAZ-Service in March 2003, for the import, assembly, distribution and service of selected Opel vehicles in the Ukraine. Under this agreement, OOO UkrAvtoZAZ-Service is the exclusive authorized importer and distributor for Opel vehicles, parts and accessories. ZAO ZAZ has been responsible for the assembly of imported component sets of the Opel Corsa, Opel Astra and Opel Vectra models. Now, after adding a new assembly line at the plant in Zaporoshje, ZAO ZAZ will start the CKD assembly of the Astra Classic. Almost 3,600 Astras are expected to be assembled in the first full year, for sale on the Ukrainian market only. In addition to the CKD assembly of the Astra Classic, ZAO ZAZ will continue with the final assembly of the Opel Vectra and Opel Corsa. Richard B. Colcomb, Director and Executive in Charge at the International Product Center, Adam Opel AG, says: "The addition of CKD assembly is a clear sign of the success of our joint cooperation with ZAO ZAZ and OOO UkrAvtoZAZ-Service and demonstrates our commitment to produce where we sell. A lot of work has been done by all partners to ensure Opel's success on the Urkainian market, and we are very pleased with the results we are seeing. We are confident that with the addition of the locally produced Astra Classic, our sales in the Ukraine will grow even further."