Russia bumps Germany as Europe's biggest market, Chevy tops charts

By amac #1, Posted: 7/11/2008

No surprise that Chevy is big in Russia, they still aspire to that outmoded American dream. Just like cigarettes are still booming business in third world countries.

By Gus #2, Posted: 7/11/2008

You're right, coudln't have anything to do with the cars being decent and cheap.

By Rich #3, Posted: 7/11/2008

Russian roads and winters favor sturdy and reliable SUV's and Chevrolet actually has always excelled at that even if they haven't been as "chic" as some foreign brands. Word gets around and Russians aren't as naive as you may think and know a good deal when they see one.

By Craig S #4, Posted: 7/11/2008

You guys are still drinking "Buy American Coolaid". If GM built such great quality and durable vehicles why have sales here in the US & Can tumbled?

It cannot be because of the price of gas alone as in Europe it's much more expensive versus here in the US. GM has built sub par products which have pretty much stayed the same while imports have improved and passed them in the sales lane while eating away at their market share. Even Hyundai now builds better quality products compared to most of the big three which certainly wasn't the case 20 years ago when Hyundai launched in North America with the Pony. Those that don't learn and improve die out, something the big three have taken too long to learn

By Tokugawa #5, Posted: 7/12/2008

Actually Chevrolet produces some of the most affordable and durable off road vehicles available in the market,. Check out the Chevy Niva. It is easy to criticize vehicles and companies, when you have not actually been to those markets, their conditions and understand customer preferences.

By danielG #6, Posted: 7/12/2008

I'm portuguese.

Perhaps americans aren't aware of this, but GM bought Daewoo some time ago and rebranded Daewoo as Chevrolet in Europe. Before this, Chevrolet was a brand that hadn't been seen in decades. None of the American models are sold in Europe, except the Corvette.

Chevy cars must sell better in Russia because they are cheaper than most euro cars and, since they are butt ugly, noone else buys them.

By Craig S #7, Posted: 7/12/2008

Tokugawa,

Which market are you referring to? Here in the US and Canada GM in the month of June has see a sales reduction of almost 30% versus June 2007. GM sales in North America have been in decline for the last 8 years or so and lately its only seemed to speed up.

Here in NA the GM products by enlarge are not good quality or durable. A friend had a GMC Jimmy SUV and after 3 years the paint was peeling and looked like it was 10 years old. Also, the interior had so many rattles it was not funny. Then they wonder why their sales are declining and no one wants to buy what they produce.

By Andy W #8, Posted: 7/13/2008

Craig S,

Where are you getting your numbers from? I can't speak for Canada, but here is the US GM's June sales decline was 18% while Toyota saw a 21% decline for the same period versus last year. You're probably right that the sales decline is not just due to gas prices going up, since the Toyota Prius saw a 25% decline for June. The auto industry is expected to see a slow down through the end of this year and that includes foreign companies as well.

Everyone has a "I have a friend ..." story about a vehicle from every car company so that doesn't really add much credibility to your point.

By Tokugawa #9, Posted: 7/14/2008

Craig S.,

G.M. has and still is experiencing a decline in customer sales in North America, most notably to Toyota and other import brands, though I may beg to differ on the quality issue, that is another matter. Yet your assumption of my referencing the North American market in a Russian related article shows solely a North American perspective. If you ever have the chance to visit Russia, drive in their cars and their roads as well as take into account socioeconomic factors, you will clearly see why chevrolet has such a strong presence in the market.

Best Regards,
Tokugawa