Russian TagAZ teams up with Chery

The Taganrog Automobile Plant in the Russian city of Taganrong, near Rostov will unveil the new Vortex Estina at the Moscow Motor Show next week. Vortex Estina is a Chery A5 sedan with a new name.

Tagaz, which is mainly engaged in the assembly of various Hyundai models at its plant for many years, has contemplated its product portfolio last year with the addition of old Ssangyong models, rebranded for the Russian market.

As the company diversifies itself, it found a new partner in China: fast-growing Chery, which was ditched by its Russian partner, Avtotor earlier this year. Chery, which considered setting up its own plant, will use the Taganrog facility to continue its expansion into Russia. Estina, a rebranded Chery A5 will be followed by the Tiggo SUV. Up to now the Chery A5, called locally the Fora was available on the Russian market as a fully-built import.