Cars In Armenia Armenian Car Imports, Sales Volumes & Traffic In

[MosJan]

RUSSIAN MODELS IN THE LEAD AS TO SALES VOLUMES IN MARKET OF NEW CARS IN ARMENIA

 

YEREVAN, JUNE 14. ARMINFO. As to the sales volume in the market of new cars in Armenia, Russian models are still in the lead. As regards foreign cars, used ones are often bought. Director General of the CJSC Armenia Lada Ashot Shahmuradyan told ARMINFO. The company is a exclusive representative of "AvtoVAZ" in Armenia.

 

He says that the share of Russian new cars is some 80% of the sales volume, and import of these cars to Armenia has been growing for the last several years. In 2004 Armenia Lada sold 2,500 cars, which is 20% more than in 2003. The Director General explained the demand for new Russian cars by the relatively low prices, accessibility and cheap spare parts, as well as by guarantee service. In the current year, some 3,000 cars made by "VAZ" are to be sold. Besides the traditional Lada "07" and "010," the innovation "Chevi Niva" produced by "Vaz" jointly with General Motors is well sold in the market. Though the spare parts of the car has not been changed, the design of "Niva" has become European and more comfortable. The price of this car is high enough, fluctuating between $12,000 and $13,500. During the last year, some 200 models of "Chevi Niva" were sold, which is rather good indicator, taking into account the high price for the car, Shahmuradyan thinks. He pointed out that a new "Chevi Niva" with an engine of "Opel" would be on sale from Aug 1.

 

By the end of 2005, Armenia Lada will present a new car to the Armenian market, that is, Lada Kalina, which is the last achievement of "VAZ." The serial production of this car was launched in the current year. It will be on sale in the Armenian market already in September. Shahmuradyan called it qualitative and relatively inexpensive as its price will be lower than that of Lada "010" and Lada "015." He forecasts that some 200 such cars may be sold by the end of the 2005. There is another important fact that Lada Kalina is a small- capacity car and it will be practical enough on the overloaded roads of the Armenian capital. However, the number of cars in the Armenian towns is still small. In this connection, Shahmuradyan forecasts a stable growth of the car market in the country for the coming two years. The share of Armenia Lada is 30% of the whole import of Russian cars into the market of Armenia.

 

The second big importer, the official representative of "Gorkiy avtozavod" is the Armenian company "Karkomavto." It imports "Volga" models in Armenia and microbuses "Gazel." Despite the year-by-year rising prices for "GAZ" cars caused by the rise of prices for metal and parts, the quality of these cars is also growing, Shahmuradyan thinks.

 

As regards the foreign models, the situation is quite opposite here. Armenian car amateurs prefer used cars for the same price as the new Russian models, Director General of Armenia Lada thinks. He explains the given circumstance by the fact that buyers get more comfort for the same price, but they spend much more for service of old foreign models. These cars are imported by private persons from Germany and the UAE and no one provides quality guaranty. The cars in Armenia are 7-10 "year old" in average. It is a very bad indicator from the point of view of ecology for such country as Armenia. The use of such cars abroad is banned. Shahmuradyan assured ARMINFO's correspondent that new Russian cars of "AvtoVAZ" are with injector engines; and they meet ecological standards more than "10-year old" foreign cars.

DEMAND FOR JAPANESE "NISSAN" GROWS IN ARMENIA

 

YEREVAN, JUNE 14. ARMINFO. Demand for Japanese cars "Nissan" has started growing in Armenia. Director General of the CJSC Armenia Lada Ashot Shahmuradyan informs ATRMINFO that in 2004, the first sales year, some 100 "Nissan" models were sold in Armenia.

 

It is forecasted that this year the sale volume will grew to 120-150 cars, he says. These cars are cheaper than German cars but not less qualitative. The most popular models are "Nissan Maxima" and "Nissan Altima." Among "Nissan" subtypes are broadly presented Murano, "Patrol," "Armada" and other models. The most expensive are "Nissan Infinity" cost some $74,000. 5-6 such cars are sold annually. The official representative of Nissan in Armenia is "Muran." -M-

 

"FORD" AUTOMOBILE SALON AND SERVICE CENTER WILL OPEN IN YEREVAN IN SEPT-OCT 2005

 

YEREVAN, JUNE 14. ARMINFO. An automobile salon and "Ford" service center will open in Yerevan in Sept-Oct 2005. Director General of CJSC Armenia Lada Ashot Shahmuradyan informs ARMINFO.

 

He says that "Ford" representative in Armenia is a recently established LTD "Fora." The first supply of these cars will start within the coming days. Besides the well-known models, a new "Ford Focus" will be imported in Armenia. This model was presented at the end of 2004. This car is well advertised in Europe. Its price starts from $16,000. By the end of 2005, some 50-60 cars of this model are to be sold, Shahmuradyan forecasts.

[Piggy]

Armenians should drive teh Mini cooper. That is an excellent automobile for Armenia's small streets. Heh.

[MosJan]

Armenian Car Imports Up In 2006

 

By Anna Saghabalian

 

The Armenian customs reported on Monday a 30 percent jump in the number of cars imported to the country during the first nine months of this year, presenting it as another indication of rising living standards.

 

Armen Avetisian, the chief of the State Customs Committee (SCC), said almost 60 percent of the 17,000 or so imported vehicles were second-hand European cars worth up to $5,000. “Most of the imported cars are inexpensive and intended for the growing middle class,” he said.

 

The SCC data show that local dealerships and private individuals brought in a total of some 16,500 cars during the whole of last year. The bulk of them were sold in Yerevan where traffic has grown much heaver in recent years and where rush-hour traffic jams are an increasingly serious problem.

 

The number of cars is continuing to rise despite a further drop in imports of petrol and diesel fuel which the SCC said shrunk by 7,000 metric tons from January through August. Avetisian attributed this to local motorists’ growing reliance on the much cheaper liquefied gas. Retail sales of propane have soared during the period in question, he said.

 

The customs figures also indicate growing demand in brand new and expensive cars that are imported by Armenian companies usually operating as official distributors of Western and Russian automakers. According to the SCC, those companies imported more than 5,500 such vehicles in 2006. However, the 43 dealerships registered in Armenia claimed to brought in only a total of 552 cars.

 

The State Commission on Protection of Economic Competition (SCPEC) said last August that it has launched an official inquiry into the huge discrepancy between the reported figures. Its findings have not been made public yet.

 

(Photolur photo)

[MosJan]

ABOUT 52,000 CARS IMPORTED TO YEREVAN OVER LAST FIVE YEARS

 

YEREVAN, November 10. /ARKA/. Over the last five years 52,000 cars were imported to Yerevan, the press service of the Yerevan municipality reported. According to it, the number of motor vehicles in Yerevan grows annually by 12,000.

"Each year 20,000 motor vehicles enter the Armenian capital. The number of taxis has grown.

Yerevan Mayor Yervand Zakharyan said that the growth of construction volume, as well as absence of bypass roads cause additional problems for road traffic.

The Yerevan mayor pointed out the necessity in a working group for implementation of urgent scheduled activities aimed at improving the situation with road traffic.

In the near 10 days, the relevant document will be signed. Zakharyan pointed out that the issue of purpose use of bus stops is still urgent. He added that the police will take measures to improve this situation.

The mayor also reported that funds will be allocated for repair works on two intersections and construction of several pedestrian subways. About AMD 600mln are allocated for modernization and automation of traffic lights. Zakharyan also reported that the municipality holds negotiations with World Bank over funding the reforms in the transport sector. ($1 - AMD 380.69). R.O. -0--