| Reuters report, General Motors has contracted | | | | also said, "This contract is good for |
| a deal with Zastava automaker for the | | | | Kragujevac and domestic car industry, because |
| production of Opel vehicles. Production will | | | | we thus join the trends of technology and |
| transpire at Zastava's complex in Kragujevac | | | | business operation of the international |
| in central Serbia. | | | | automotive industry." |
| | | | |
| According to the source familiar with the | | | | And the latest development on this issue is |
| agreement, "They will sign on Thursday. The | | | | that the Serbian government has already |
| production of the first Opel Astra vehicles | | | | approved the import of around 8,300 duty-free |
| is expected to start in 2008." | | | | Opel Astra cars of which 3,300 are to be |
| | | | imported by the end of this year while the |
| Another source familiar with the negotiation | | | | remaining 5,000 by 2008. These imported Opel |
| has also confirmed the deal. Last year the | | | | Astra cars will cost 10,800 euros or $14,900 |
| state-owned Zastava, exporter of Yugi cars to | | | | for the basic version which was previously |
| the United States was only able to produce | | | | sold at 12,800 euros or $17,700. |
| 15,000 cars which is less than its annual | | | | |
| capacity of 60,000 vehicles. Zastava also | | | | Opel Expands Antara Range |
| caters to Italy's Fiat producing the Punto | | | | |
| cars. | | | | Speaking of Opel, it has recently announced |
| | | | the expansion of the engine range of its |
| These Punto cars are marketed in Serbia and | | | | Antara Sports Utility Vehicle with a diesel |
| the rest of the neighboring Balkan countries | | | | version that will come equipped with a |
| under the brand "Zastava 10". Zastava was | | | | particulate filter and an Opel catalytic |
| also given by Fiat the authority to | | | | converter. The two liter motor produces 110kW |
| distribute the cars on the Russian market. | | | | 150hp and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h |
| | | | in a matter of 10.3 seconds. |
| Reuters has quoted a government source | | | | |
| saying, "The deal with General Motors will | | | | The fuel consumption is at 7.5 liters per 100 |
| enable Zastava to work with modern | | | | kilometers while carbon dioxide emission |
| technology, raising its chances of fully | | | | level is at 198 grams per kilometer. The |
| benefiting in the coming privatization | | | | integrated Flex-Fix bicycle carrier is |
| process." | | | | currently the optional offering for the |
| | | | Antara. This special feature can be pulled |
| Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic | | | | out just like a cupboard and can accommodate |
| said that the Serbian automaker is aiming to | | | | two bicycles. It is priced at 650 euros or |
| produce around 10,000 vehicles by 2010. He | | | | $900. |