The AVTOVaz Lada Returns to Cuba

AVTOVAZ, the Russian car manufacturer, has just announced in a press release that the new Ladas will be delivered to Cuba in a matter of days.  This past August, AVTOVAZ announced they would be returning to Cuba after an absence of 12 years.  The importance of this announcement is that this is the deal to be watched closely by the entire automobile industry.  The success of the AVTOVAZ deal is crucial, in that respect.  Significantly, it could establish the future business model for automobile exports to Cuba.  The Russians are already big players in the Cuban market and held a large presence at this year’s recent FIHAV trade fair.

“The first batch of LADA cars – 344 pcs of LADA Vesta Sedan and LADA Largus Cross – will be shipped to Cuba in the coming days. The vehicles are expected to arrive to the country in January 2018. These new LADA cars will serve for local state-owned taxi, rental and touristic companies.

LADA shipment to Cuba is being supported by the Russian VEB providing financing of the deal, and the Russian Export Center supporting the development of export partnership abroad.

Growth of export sales is one of major tasks AVTOVAZ has highlighted in its mid-term development plan. ”Cuba, among other Latin American countries, is one of our priority export markets – says Nicolas Maure, AVTOVAZ President and CEO. – This country respects the LADA brand with a significant fleet of classic LADAs and Nivas still on the roads, and today we are ready to renew our presence with our new modern cars LADA Vesta and LADA Largus Cross. They are perfectly adapted to local usage, meeting world-class quality standards and we will provide the necessary aftersales training and spare parts availability. I appreciate the support of this deal provided by the Cuban Government, the Russian Government, the Russian Export Center and VEB, and expect to further continue LADA deliveries to Cuba in the years to come with increased volumes.”

Additional information:

The AVTOVAZ Group enters the Alliance Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi and produces cars under 4 brands in full cycle: LADA, Renault, Nissan, Datsun. Production facilities of the Group are located in Togliatti – PJSC AVTOVAZ and in Izhevsk – LLC LADA Izhevsk.

Today the Brand is presented by 22 models and their modifications in the B, B+, SUV and LCV segments that are joined in 7 families: Vesta, XRAY, Largus, Granta, Kalina, Priora and 4×4. In average the Brand occupies 20% share of the Russian car market. The official dealership network of LADA is the largest in Russia – over 300 dealerships.”