GM to Assemble Chevrolet Trailblazer in Russia

VIENNA – General Motors reportedly plans to launch assembly of the Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV at its factory in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Trailblazer assembly from semi-knocked-down kits is expected to start in March, the plant’s managing director, Romuald Rytwinski, tells journalists on the sidelines of an automotive industry conference, Reuters reports.

Rytwinski says GM could builds up to 10,000 Trailblazer vehicles a year, but volume for 2013 will be is significantly lower.

The St. Petersburg facility currently assembles Chevrolet Cruze and Opel Astra sedans and hatchbacks from complete-knocked-down kits.

The Trailblazer’s assembly may improve the plant’s utilization should the Russian market grow slower than expected.

It’s not unusual for foreign auto makers in Russia to assemble SKD models in small volumes at their CKD plants.

Nissan launched SKD assembly of Infiniti FX and M models at its Nissan Mfg. Rus plant in St. Petersburg in addition to three Nissan CKD models last summer. Renault assembles four vehicles from CKD kits as well as the Latitude and Koleos from SKD kits at its Avtoframos facility in Moscow.

Volkswagen Group Rus runs VW Touareg and Multivan small volume SKD assembly in addition to two VW and two Skoda CKD models in Kaluga.