F&I Management & Training

"GAZ recently acquired a 50% stake in Italian diesel engine maker VM Motori. The other 50% is owned by General Motors, and one option would be to partner with GM on light vans. "

GAZ, the Russian manufacturer that bought van maker LDV two years ago, has confirmed that it will rebrand the company Maxus “in the near future”.

The plans will include the black and orange corporate identity already used on the Maxus product range.

The new CI will be in place across the UK network of 72 dealerships and 123 service centres by the end of next year.

“The UK dealer council is supporting the change to Maxus,” said marketing director Guy Jones.

He likened the rebrand to Mini, where the brand and the product are the same. 

But clearer model-specific branding is likely to be added, as LDV wants to add more models to its range, particularly a smaller van to plug the gap left by the Cub model, a rebadged Nissan Vanette that was sold from 1996 to 2002.

A suitable vehicle could be produced as a partnership with an existing van maker, or could be acquired. 

Earlier this year GAZ bought the production line of the Dodge Stratus from Chrysler, shipped it to Russia and now builds the car as the GAZ Siber.

It could do a similar deal with a European van maker. Alternatively it could source vans from an existing plant or even acquire a plant.

GAZ recently acquired a 50% stake in Italian diesel engine maker VM Motori. The other 50% is owned by General Motors, and one option would be to partner with GM on light vans.

DATED: 16.10.08

FEED: AM