YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–The first steps at establishing a General Motors car-manufacturing plant in Armenia have already been taken. The center will produce cars for the entire region. Plans for such a center have been batted back and forth for two years–said President of the American ATA Motors company Levon Hairapetian at a business forum on the development of the motor-car industry in Armenia.
ATA Motors and General Motors jointly developed a business plan on the production of buses and specialty vehicles. The new "AM-GM" enterprise will be established on the basis of the Yerevan production plant. The plant will be reconstructed and provided with modern equipment.
ATA Motors was given the exclusive task of organizing the entire car production process in Armenia from the General Motors corporation. ATA Motors will manage the implementation of the project–will allocate funds–and training personnel.
According to Hairapetian–the first cars will probably be produced in 2000.
It will take two years for the enterprise to fill the domestic market with cars. There is a great need for replenishing old state-owned cars and trucks.
Armenian President Robert Kocharian–who met with the General Motors delegation Tuesday–pointed out that the Armenian government will render assistance in the implementation of the project.
