GAZ Group, from Russia, has acquired U.K. based automotive manufacturer LDV Group from an affiliate of Sun European Partners, LLP. This transaction is a significant step in GAZ’s international expansion strategy.

To support this strategy, GAZ has appointed two senior U.K. executives with longstanding industry experience to assume the roles of LDV Chairman and Chief Executive, with immediate effect. Martin Leach, a former President and Chief Operating Officer of Ford Europe, and Chief Executive of Maserati SpA, will become Chairman of LDV. Steve Young, former head of the Automotive Practice of the global management consultants A.T. Kearney, following an earlier career with British Leyland and Ford, will become Chief Executive.

The acquisition of LDV, which manufactures the Maxus light commercial vehicle range, awarded "Fleet Van of the Year 2006" at the Motor Transport Awards in July, will enable GAZ to expand into important international markets. By further expanding its distribution channels in new markets, and acquiring new technologies, GAZ will be able to realise its overall strategic aim - to become a leading player in the global market for light commercial vehicles.

GAZ plans to expand production at LDV’s Birmingham plant by adding new product lines and entering new markets in the EU and elsewhere. GAZ also plans to launch production of Maxus models at its plant in Nizhny Novgorod, (Russia), with a view to beginning distribution of the vehicles across the Russian and CIS markets.

Building on the acquisition of LDV, GAZ is establishing a new company dedicated to identifying international expansion opportunities. GAZ International will be based in the U.K. and focus on acquiring new technologies, entering into strategic alliances with foreign carmakers, recruiting high quality people and entering new export markets. LDV will become a wholly owned subsidiary of GAZ International, which itself will be a wholly owned subsidiary of GAZ. Martin Leach and Steve Young will take up senior roles at GAZ International.

Erik Eberhardson, President of GAZ Group said:

"We are very excited about this transaction, which represents an important strategic move; expanding our market presence and bringing market leading management talent to the Group. We believe that this deal will act as a catalyst for further international growth and will enhance our overall business performance."

Commenting on his decision to join GAZ, Mr Leach said:

"GAZ is a company with great potential and is very well placed to become a major global player. It has strong roots and scale in one of the fastest growing automotive markets in the world. The resources are in place to make further acquisitions and attract high calibre people. I believe that this is the most exciting automotive development today and look forward to making my contribution to the group and the industry."

VE Commodore: More Power, More Refinement
1st August, 2006
More power, more torque and more refinement are simple powertrain messages emphatically delivered by the new "VE" range of Holden Commodores ..... more

GM's Global Sales Grow as U.S. Market Stabilises
30th July, 2006
General Motors reported second quarter global sales (April - June) of 2,400,000 vehicles ..... more

Renault Sales Slip
30th July, 2006
In first-half 2006, the Renault group's world-wide sales declined by 3.2% on first-half 2005 to 1,315,351 units ..... more

Volkswagen increases deliveries
30th July, 2006
The Volkswagen Group sold more vehicles, substantially increased sales revenue and improved earnings in the first six months of 2006 ..... more

Nissan's New Global Light Truck Platform
28th July, 2006
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd, has developed a new global platform for light duty trucks (LDTs) on which the new Cabstar will be built ..... more

New Six-Speed Auto For V8 Commodores
28th July, 2006
GM's electronically controlled six-speed automatic transmission will be offered in all V8 variants of the all-new VE Commodore range ..... more

Australian Off Road Championship
27th July, 2006
Although two rounds of the Australian Off Road Championship (Mildura in August and Goondiwindi in October) are still to be contested, Mitsubishi is quietly confident that a sixth Class Seven title in a row is just about a certainty ..... more

Holden VE: Fuel Economy Figures
24th July, 2006
GM Holden today released fuel economy figures for its all-new VE series Commodore sedan range ..... more

100 Million Nissans
24th July, 2006
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., today announced it reached a new milestone in June with the production of its 100 millionth vehicle ..... more

Volkswagen Golf R32 Arrives In Australia
23rd July, 2006
The 184 kW Golf R32 with its individual looks and standard all-wheel drive represents Volkswagens second venture into the segment of high-power compact and midrange vehicles ..... more

Touareg's little brother is called Tiguan
21st July, 2006
Although it is still 2 years away, Volkswagen has announced that it will call its new compact SUV the Tiguan. Not only the vehicle, but also the decision on the name is a brave journey into new terrain ..... more

Mitsubishi Refreshes Grandis People-Mover
21st July, 2006
Mitsubishi has refreshed its Grandis people-mover line-up with the renaming of its entry model, and the introduction of a new VRX model ..... more

Holden Announces Pricing For New Commodore
19th July, 2006
Holden has released pricing for the all-new wagon-less VE series Holden Commodore range ..... more

Aixam  Alfa Romeo  Aston Martin  Audi  Bentley  BMW  Bugatti  Cadillac  Caterham  Chevrolet  Chrysler  Citroen  Dacia  Daewoo  Dodge  Elfin  Ferrari  Fiat  Ford  General Motors  Holden  Honda  Hummer  Jaguar  Jeep  Kia  Lamborghini  Land Rover  Lotus  Maserati  Maybach  Mazda  Mercedes-Benz  MG  Mini  Mitsubishi  Morgan  Nissan  Noble  Opel  Pagani  Peugeot  Pontiac  Porsche  Renault  Rolls Royce  Rover  Saab  Saturn  Seat  Skoda  Smart  Subaru  Suzuki  Vauxhall  Volkswagen  Volvo 

Antonov  Caparo  Connaught  FPV  Freestream  HSV  Jayco  Sprintex  Tempest 

Museums