Bogdan Plans to Increase Passenger Car Production by over 50% in 2011

CHERKESSK, Ukraine - Ukrainian car maker Bogdan Corporation plans to boost its passenger car output to 30,500 units this year, which would represent an over 50% increase compared to 2010 with 20,111 units, said company CEO Oleg Svynarchuk.

In 2009, Bogdan produced 20,111 units, which is 40% more than a year before (14,393 units). Production growth for 2011 will mainly be driven by the company's new export strategy. According to Svynarchuk, production volume may be futher enhanced by adding new models at the Cherkessk plant. He did not mentioned exact models, but local media sources say that the Lada 2107 or the Kalina sedan could be assembled at the factory, and negotiations on possible contract assembly are under way with a Chinese manufacturer.

Bogdan currently assembles the VAZ-2110 and its own-branded 2310 pick-up, as well as the Hyundai Tucson. The Cherkessk plant has an annual production capacity of 120 thousand cars.