russia Archives | AutoDepot

Video: Unexplained Mazda violence in Russia

Filed under: Sedan, Videos, Mazda, Russia

Wanton destruction of Mazda sedans – Click above to watch the video after the jump

You know those cranes that you see at many large grocery stores? You know, the ones with the shiny, pointy claws that can’t seem to pick up a teddy bear or some fuzzy dice. They’re infuriating to use, mostly because you know you just got duped into paying fifty cents for something that you just can’t win. They have the same claws in Russia, and apparently they’re infinitely larger, more functional and far more hostile towards the Mazda6.

Beyond the jump is some video that we just can’t explain. It involves a massive, absolutely awesome crane truck grabbing onto the roofs of a pair of perfectly good-looking Mazdas and simply tossing them into an equally huge bin attached to said truck.

We have no idea why these Mazdas were taken in such a hostile manner, but we’re hoping it’s not because they were parked in a loading zone. And why is it that we can only see Mazdas in this parking lot? So many questions. So much destruction. (We’re guessing these cars were somehow damaged and destroyed for insurance purposes, but we can’t say for sure.)

Hit the jump to watch this puzzling and destructive video for yourself, if only to marvel at the skill of the crane operator. And if you speak Russian, let us know what the guys making the video are saying.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Unexplained Mazda violence in Russia

Video: Unexplained Mazda violence in Russia originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Video: Unexplained Mazda violence in Russia”

Saab readies move into China and Russia, downplays 9-4X diesel

Filed under: Car Buying, China, Crossover, Saab, Russia, Diesel, Luxury

2012 Saab 9-4X

2012 Saab 9-4X – Click above for high-res image gallery

Saab CEO Jan-Åke Jonsson has provided the wayward Swedish brand with some direction, and the marching orders point out two very large markets for the sales team to focus on: Russia and China. According to a report in Automotive News, Saab will begin distribution in the Chinese market beginning sometime during the 2011 calendar year. Until the launch of the redesigned 9-3, Saab will shoot for a few thousand sales per year. Once the distribution network is in place and the model lineup is refreshed, Saab will look at the possibility of local manufacturing facilities.

Now that China is rolling forward, Saab can start to finalize decisions with regards to the Russian market. No deal has been announced, but one is expected to be made the end of the year. Saab’s chairman, Victor Muller, specifically stated at the 2010 LA Auto Show that the both China and Russia are getting a taste of the recently unshackled Swedish brand.

One of the newest expressions of the automaker’s freedom is the 2012 Saab 9-4X. Saab offers diesel engines outside of the North American market, and we were curious if this new crossover would also get an oil burner. Per Jonnson, it seems this is highly unlikely:

“If you then look at the life cycle of the vehicle, typically five or six years, before we actually have a diesel engine, we have to find one, we have to test it, we have to install it, validate it, and you are two years into the life cycle… and then you have a very short payoff period.”

Understandable, but a bummer nonetheless.

Gallery: LA 2010: 2012 Saab 9-4X

LA 2010: 2012 Saab 9-4X

Photos copyright (C)2010 Jeff Glucker / AOL

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req.]

Saab readies move into China and Russia, downplays 9-4X diesel originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Nov 2010 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Saab readies move into China and Russia, downplays 9-4X diesel”

Russia reportedly bags F1 grand prix contract from 2014

Filed under: Motorsports, Government/Legal, Celebrities, Russia

F1's Bernie Ecclestone with Vladimir Putin

Russian premier Vladimir Putin (right) has big plans to put his country on the map of world-class sporting events. In 2014, the Black Sea resort town of Sochi will play host to the Winter Olympics. In 2018, Putin hopes to be hosting the World Cup. But not before the country secures its own Formula One grand prix.

The country’s leader met with F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone on the matter and has reportedly inked a deal to host its very own race. While the Olympics are expected to cost Russia some $6.1 billion to put together, putting on the grand prix – reportedly secured for six years from 2014 through 2020 – is tipped to cost the country $200 million to build the track, and another $40 million in commercial rights each year. The plan reportedly involves building the circuit at the same Sochi location as the winter games, thereby neatly utilizing much of the same tourist infrastructure.

The emergence of a Russian Grand Prix has been in the making for some time, as participants from the world’s largest country have been making inroads into Formula One. The Midland F1 team that followed Jordan Grand Prix and preceded the Spyker and current Force India teams was billed as the first Russian F1 team (despite being based in England), while this year Renault – which has been investing heavily in the Russian car market – brought in Vitaly Petrov as the sport’s first Russian driver. The team has twice held promotional demonstration events in the country: one in Moscow and another in the proposed site at Sochi.

[Source: Bloomberg | Image: Mikhail Metzel/AP]

Russia reportedly bags F1 grand prix contract from 2014 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Oct 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Russia reportedly bags F1 grand prix contract from 2014”

Report: Russia’s AvtoVAZ finally turns a profit after many years

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Earnings/Financials, Renault, Russia

During the first quarter of 2010, Russian automaker Avtovaz lost 2.6 billion rubles ($85M U.S.). In the second quarter it made almost a third of that back when it posted a net profit of one billion rubles ($32.7M U.S). The spike came courtesy of Russia’s cash-for-clunkers program, which more than doubled the firm’s sales over Q1 numbers to 149,100 cars.

The cars that sold were reported to be mainly “older and cheaper models.” In response, Russian Prime MInister Vladimir Putin advised Avtovaz CEO Igor Komarov to modernize the company, rather than flogging ancient Lada designs even if the flogging is good. Komarov said Avtovaz is sending a team of 500 to study Renault’s manufacturing methods, which could mean they’re finally getting around to that technology sharing broached almost a year ago. Now if we could just get that Lada C concept built…

[Source: BBC]

Report: Russia’s AvtoVAZ finally turns a profit after many years originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Report: Russia’s AvtoVAZ finally turns a profit after many years”