Industry ministry sees free sales of Kortezh cars from 2019

MOSCOW, Jan 16 (PRIME) -- The Industry and Trade Ministry expects to deliver 70 Kortezh cars for top officials to the Federal Guard Service until the end of 2018, and to launch free sales of the cars in 2019, Minister Denis Manturov told reporters on Tuesday during the Gaidar Forum.

“In total, we plan to deliver up to 70 cars this year. Taking into account the SUV, we are to finish development and tests this year, and to start production and mass sales next year,” he said, adding that he was talking about sales to the Federal Guard Service.

“Starting from next year, anyone will be able to order and buy any modification of the car, either a luxury one or an armored one, we will have no limits on sales,” he said.

The retail price for the car will start from 6–7 million rubles. “We’ve set the goal for the (price) indicator of premium cars minus 15%. This was the goal. We aimed at the price of the S-Class (Mercedes), or BMW 7 series with the V12 engine minus 15%,” he said.

Now the ministry plans to add an economy-class SUV car to the Kortezh model line comprising limo, sedan, and SUV, he said.

Production of Kortezh cars may reach up to 300 cars per year taking into account capacities of the Central Scientific Research Automobile and Automotive Engines Institute (NAMI), and if the market demands more than 300 cars, the ministry will use the capacities of the project’s partner, carmaker Sollers, he said.

(56.3569 rubles – U.S. $1)

End