Robert Farago
by Robert Farago

The sale of its automobiles on the prices of 2008 g., which will be prolonged from March 23 to April 30. Thus, [UAZ] attempts to get rid of the overstock of storages. The average sum of reduction is 25 thousand rubles. With its calculation the price on UAZ Of patriot with the gasoline engine in the assembly Of classic will be 440 thousand rubles, and ” [Patriot]” in the complete assembly with the Diesel engine Of iveco it will manage to buyer into 595 thousand rubles. The buyers of the automobile UAZ Of hunter with the gasoline engine can save 20 thousand rubles, and with the diesel – 24 thousand rubles. Let us recall, since February 16 plant works three days in the week, this graph will be preserved until August 1. If until this time situation with sales does not change to the best side, company will be is forced to begin the releases of personnel, since according to the Russian legislation the reduced operating mode can be introduced in enterprise maximum for six months. It previously communicated that in 2009. ” [UAZ]” it plans to let out 53 thousand [vsedorozhnikov], which to 26,7% is less than in the past year, when were assembled 72,3 thousand automobiles. P.S. [Interestno] will influence this the prices of Ukrainian dealers.

Robert Farago
Robert Farago

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  • Rastus Rastus on Mar 23, 2009

    Thank you Hazard. You basically confirmed, with your level-headed analysis, what I already knew deep within...but I enjoyed reading your analysis. ...that this heap in the photo above IS a giant POS! I think the people who reminisce fondly for such garbage are living in an idealized past. You know, when things were "so much better". But have them give up their Toyota or whatnot in exchange for a UAZ for one day...and they'd be ready to hit the wodka come noontime....assuming they could make it home (or to the nearest bar) from whereever this POS decides to dump them off :) UAZ = GARBAGE!!! But maybe within the next "5 year plan" they'll choose to "upgrade" it.

  • Hazard Hazard on Mar 23, 2009
    UAZ = GARBAGE!!! But maybe within the next “5 year plan” they’ll choose to “upgrade” it. Look, let's not get carried away. First the UAZ pictured is based on a military machine that, as far as military requirements go, does (did?) its job well. For non-military uses, there's a job it does well - in this case, rugged off-roading. Look, Russian stuff like this works. It does its job - its just not pretty, not flashy, and not comfortable. Your exemplars would make it home from work - but they probably wouldn't like the ride too much. That is what I meant by "crap" - not necessarily that it will break down on your way home. Heck, I'd probably give this thing more chance at starting up at -60C or whatever than some modern Western/Japanese vehicle. @Nicodemus: So if the defining factor in making good cars is that they must be subject to a free market, how come GM and they’re ilk have made such shit for so long? Because there's a huge market for shitty products too, as long as you price them right. Like all the cheap crap that comes from China. Also remember that at one point the Big 3 had an oligopoly to themselves, without outside competition. Then the imports came and their market share has been decreasing ever since.
  • Psarhjinian Psarhjinian on Mar 23, 2009
    Look, Russian stuff like this works. It does its job - its just not pretty, not flashy, and not comfortable. I've been to Cuba several times, and they have an interesting take on that: * Russian stuff doesn't work all that well, but it can be fixed easily enough. * Korean and Japanese stuff works well, and has the added benefit of not leaking oil, spewing black smoke, eating parts or otherwise being utter shit. And keep in mind, this is Cuba. When the cab drivers there tell you to avoid anything Russian-made, they've a certain perspective and experience talking.
  • Slavuta Slavuta on Mar 23, 2009

    Actually, hazard is right. Number one reason consumer goods never got much attention in USSR is because all the best and brightest worked for military. There was no money to put into civilian stuff. There were cases when refrigerators were made from leftover of the missile material. Yet, they made refrigerators that lasted 10-15 years without repairs. hazard said, "no competition", "5 year plan" - all so correct. When government installed a manager to the Automobile Plant, the only competition there would be, is competition against time and 5 year plan. Even if there were a new models on papers, who is going to stop the factory... forget the factory. Who is going to stop a single production line for retooling? The boss has 5 years plan. Make 2 million cars, lets say. In between, he/she goes to the Communist Party meeting where they ask, "how many made so far?". They where looking for numbers or head would roll. This is why Russians could produce same car/truck for 30 years. As far as quality goes, it wasn't great. They were built like tanks. they would run for half century. Their engines could be rebuilt in owner's garage. But also they were driven on such roads and in such conditions that killed Toyotas and Hondas in just a few years. Russians liked Volvos because originally they were also rugged for terrible Swedish climate. They had great rust protection. Everything else could be replaced. Another thing is gasoline. I want to see how long any car will last if it is designed for 93 octane but driven using 72 octane gasoline. This is exactly what happened to cars in Russia. they were not driven on spec gasoline. Many people first thing after purchase would take off cylinder head and put some asbestos gaskets to change the compression ratio to be able to use 72-76 octane gas instead of 93. These russian cars are not great, some are really bad, like Yugos. But for Russian/USSR living condition these UAZ were in huge demand and were perfect. And of course, for Cuba, Russian cars may be not as good as some Toyota but for East Siberia it is a different story.

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