Volga Volga Siber History

Unveiled at the 2007 Moscow International Automobile Salon, the Volga Siber was GAZ's attempt to replace the aging traditional Volgas with a modern, internationally engineered platform. In 2006 GAZ paid approximately US$151 million to acquire the license, tooling, and assembly line for the second-generation Chrysler Sebring/Dodge Stratus from Chrysler, and British studio UltraMotive redesigned the grille and headlights to create a distinct Volga identity. Production began in July 2008.

The timing was disastrous. The global financial crisis hit Russia hard within months of the Siber's launch, and consumer demand evaporated. GAZ had targeted annual production of 40,000 vehicles; instead, only 1,717 were built in 2008 (with just 428 sold), production was paused in early 2009, briefly resumed for a government order, then halted for good on 31 October 2010. The total Siber run was approximately 9,000 units. GAZ CEO Bo Andersson officially discontinued the entire Volga range at that point, ending 54 years of continuous Volga production.