GM Divorcing Itself From Russia

GM says it will close its factory in Russia, stop selling Opel cars there.

   Officials with General Motors say the company will cease production at a factory in Russia by this summer as the automaker winds down its investment in that nation.

   Only a few years ago automakers said they thought Russia would become one of the fastest-growing car markets in the world.

   But Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine, among other factors, have GM officials reconsidering a market the automaker now says faces very challenging long-term prospects.

   So by the end of this year GM plans to halt production at its plant in St. Petersburg, Russia and stop producing Chevrolet cars as part of a joint venture.

   GM’s Opel brand, based in Germany, will also stop selling cars in Russia.

   But the Detroit automaker will still have a presence in Russia.

   GM will continue a joint venture with Autovaz in Russia and Cadillac is slated to debut several new models there in the coming years.

Author

  • Quinn Klinefelter
    Quinn Klinefelter is a Senior News Editor at 101.9 WDET. In 1996, he was literally on top of the news when he interviewed then-Senator Bob Dole about his presidential campaign and stepped on his feet.