GAZ shut down its production this week and is not due to resume again until 10 March, local press reported today.
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The Russian car and truck maker has made the move in order to cut costs and save on energy, the carmaker said. The company said it expects to meet March output targets in March regardless of the shutdown.
News agency Prime-Tass said the company expected to produce more vehicles in March than it produced in January and February altogether, it said, without providing figures.
Earlier this month, the Russian group abandoned a plan to buy a 50% stake in Italian diesel engine producer VM Motori.
GAZ Group failed to pay Penske Corporation in the US for the stake and the deal was cancelled.
A GAZ Group spokesman said the Russian company was not interested in the stake any more amid falling demand for light commercial vehicles (LCVs).
GAZ Group comprises 18 plants in Russia and the UK. Russian businessman Oleg Deripaska, best known as the major shareholder of aluminium producer UC Rusal, owns 61%.
