Cuba has signed an agreement with the Russian company ECHO-Export SRL to assemble and repair UAZ brand vehicles on the island. A first delivery of vehicles, between 300 and 500, according to official sources.
This project, presented at the Cubaindustria 2024 exhibition, seeks to strengthen bilateral economic relations and modernize Cuba’s transportation infrastructure, according to Miguel Ángel Pedroso MadinBusiness Director of the Comprehensive Automotive Services Company (EISA) of Cuba to Sputnik.
This agreement initially includes the Patriot and Pickup models, and in a second stage it is planned to assemble light cargo vehicles of the Profi brand.. The objective is to substitute imports, directly improve transportation in Cuba and take advantage of the adaptability of these vehicles for any economic sector, the source mentions.
Regarding the Pickup models, he explained that the intention is to transform them into hearses, one of the biggest problems that the transportation sector presents.
With these plans, UAZ, which has had a presence on the island for 20 years, also plans to offer after-sales and warranty services, which promote the sustainability of automobiles and prolong their useful life, based on the periodic supply of Russian parts and pieces. added Ruslán Ignátev, technical director and vice representative of ECHO-Export SRL.
Although an exact date for the delivery of these vehicles is not mentionedif there is the condition that this will be maintained according to the needs and demand, but above all to the bilateral collaboration tieswhich at the moment are in good condition.
Cuba, with UAZ 452 models, popularly known as Guasabita, used mostly in the military and health fields, knows well the power of these vehicles.
At this time, a year ago, UAZ promised to assemble SKD model cars on the islandafter agreements of the XI Meeting of the Business Committee between Cuba and Russiaheld in Havana, the company assured the Russian newspaper Izvestia.
The first batch of vehicles would be delivered to Cuba in July-August 2023, UAZ executives told the aforementioned media, confirming that it was a decision after negotiations between representatives of the Ulyanovsk automotive plant and Cuban companies, which They were not identified.
However, there was no significance to this agreement and apparently the signing did not come to fruition.
They also commented that the Cuban side was mainly interested in the UAZ Profi trucks, and in the ambulances created on the basis of the UAZ Loaf model, a panel vehicle that has been used in the military area.
