Amidst the credit crunch, the biggest German manufacturer’s press release has announced that it will begin producing its Touareg full-size SUV at its Russia’s plant in January 2009. Not so safe choice for the Russian market, being severely hit by recent downturn. Kaluga-based plant has been producing Passat and Jetta (Golf-based sedan model) so far as well as Skoda’s Octavia and Fabia.
Mercedes ML hybrid version has been recently spied. ML450 Hybrid will use a 3.5-liter V-6, although diesel-crazy Europe a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V-6 could be offered. The ML450 Hybrid could arrive at dealers as early as the end of 2009.
Honda Pilot soon on sale in Russia, the first Europe market where this American-targeted model appears. Unusual for Euro Honda, cubic appearance and “tough guy” styling makes this large SUV a competent contender for the money of the booming Russian market. This is a common trend amoung Japaneese to launch non-European models in Russia where tastes differ. Soon there will be Mazda CX-9, Infiniti is already there, bunch of Nissans like Teana and Tiida.