The Bogdan Corporation was created in February 2005 by merging several enterprises with the aim of implementing large-scale investment projects aimed at creating production capacities in Ukraine vehicles various types.
Production capacity corporation "Bogdan", allow us to produce 120-150 thousand passenger cars mobiles, up to 9,000 buses and trolleybuses in all classes, as well as about 15,000 trucks and specialized equipment. The company's factories are located in Lutsk and Cherkassy.
Story
- 1992 - Start of business. Start of sales of GAZ, IZH, Moskvich, UAZ cars
- 1996 - Start of sales of KIA cars in Ukraine
- 1998 - Acquisition of the Cherkasy Automobile Repair Plant (hereinafter OJSC Cherkasy Bus)
- 1999 - Signing of an agreement on the distribution of Hyundai cars in Ukraine.
- 1999 - the Cherkasy Bus enterprise began production of small-class Bogdan buses
- 2000 - Acquisition of Lutsk Automobile Plant
In April 2004, a general agreement was signed with Isuzu Motors Limited (Japan), according to which the Bogdan company received the right to sell Ukrainian-made Isuzu buses in Ukraine under the name "Bogdan" (outside Ukraine - under the name "Isuzu" ) .
On February 22, 2005, the Bogdan Corporation was created. On March 31, 2005, the Ukrainian government established a 20% duty on car imports (from August 2005 it was increased to 25%), this stimulated the development of automobile assembly production. In total, in 2005 the corporation produced 2,185 buses and trucks.
On February 28, 2006, the Bogdan Corporation, Isuzu Motors Limited (Japan) and Sojitz Corporation (Japan) signed a trilateral agreement on the creation joint venture COMPANY " Car company Isuzu Ukraine" on car sales in Ukraine. Subsequently, on car exhibition SIA-2006 (Kyiv) the Bogdan A-100 bus, built on the chassis of an Isuzu NQR truck, was presented
In April 2006, the opening of the first stage of bus production took place in Lutsk.
In 2007, an agreement was signed with the South Korean corporation Hyundai on licensed production using the CKD (welding, painting, assembly) method of three models of passenger cars: first Hyundai Tucson, and then Hyundai Accent and Hyundai Elantra XD. In the same year, the intention to begin production of trolleybuses was announced (in February 2007, the first demonstration model of a trolleybus was manufactured on the basis of the A-231 bus)
Subsequently, the state of the automotive industry in Ukraine was influenced by Ukraine’s accession to the WTO in the spring of 2008.
On May 28, 2008, the corporation announced its intention to begin production of tourist-class buses in September 2008. The first 12 buses of the Bogdan A401.60 model were planned to be released before the end of 2008.
On June 20, 2008, the first automobile manufacturing enterprise since the existence of independent Ukraine was put into operation - a large-unit assembly plant for trucks in Cherkassy (with 4 thousand jobs). The volume of investment in this project amounted to more than $330 million.
In the spring of 2009, changes occurred among the owners of the corporation: P. A. Poroshenko sold his share of shares to Oleg Svinarchuk.
On April 6, 2009, the Bogdan Corporation decided to sever partnership relations with the South Korean automaker Kia Motors Co. and stop selling Kia cars in Ukraine.
October 29, 2009, after the completion of the capitalization of LuAZ (as a result of which all production assets became part of one enterprise - OJSC LuAZ), Lutsky automobile plant was renamed OJSC Automobile Company Bogdan Motors.
At the end of 2009, production of passenger cars began commercial vehicle Bogdan-2310 based on VAZ 2110. In the spring of 2010, production of the Bogdan-2312 car began on the basis of the VAZ-2110.
In the summer of 2010, Bogdan and the Czech electrical equipment manufacturing company Cegelec signed an agreement on the joint production of trolleybuses.
On December 7, 2010, 10 buses for transporting prisoners, manufactured on the basis of the Bogdan A-092 buses, were supplied to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.
In November 2011, the corporation announced its intention to begin mass production small class buses of the “Bogdan A20” series on aggregate Hyundai base.
In July 2012, due to lack of demand, sales of Bogdan buses on the domestic market of Ukraine were suspended (one more bus was produced in September 2012).
On September 1, 2012, a recycling tax on cars was introduced in Russia, which led to a decrease in the competitiveness of Ukrainian-made cars; the Bogdan corporation (which supplied over 50% of its products to Russia) suffered the most. In 2012, the corporation reduced the volume of car production by 36.2%, to 13,455 units. .
On March 14, 2013, the Ukrainian government introduced duties on the import of new passenger cars, which increased the competitiveness of Ukrainian-made vehicles and increased the share of the Bogdan corporation in the Ukrainian car market.
In July 2013, one special bus “Bogdan A-231” was manufactured for the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine.
After signing an agreement with Chinese company"China Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Co. Ltd”, on August 12, 2013, the corporation mastered the production of a new model of a passenger car - the Chinese JAC J5. In addition, in October 2013, representatives Chinese corporation Lifan Group reported that an agreement has been concluded with the Bogdan Corporation to begin large-scale assembly of two more models of passenger cars made in China(Lifan 620 and Lifan X60) (production of the first JAC J5 sedan was completed on December 13, 2013).
In 2013, the corporation reduced the volume of car production by almost half, to 6,733 units. .
In April 2014, the corporation announced the end of cooperation with AvtoVAZ and the cessation of production of the Bogdan-2110 (Lada 2110), Bogdan-2111 (Lada 2111), Bogdan-2310 models.
In June 2014, the corporation's Cherkasy automobile plant was stopped (as of February 11, 2015, production had not resumed).
In January - September 2014, the corporation's net loss increased 6.4 times.
At the beginning of November 2014, the corporation's management announced its intention to repurpose part of the business for the sale of used vehicles
On December 24, 2014, the corporation signed a contract with the Iranian company Saipa, according to which the Bogdan-Avtotrade network received the right to sell in Ukraine passenger car"Saipa Tiba" made in Iran
Since 2014, the Bogdan Corporation has been involved in the execution of defense orders:
Modern activities
In 2018, Bogdan Motors entered into a cooperation agreement with the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute. Igor Sikorsky. Bogdan specialists and representatives of the educational institution will jointly develop new technologies and develop new transport. The Kiev Polytechnic Science Park also joined the agreement. KPI students will be able to take industrial practice at the Bogdan Motors enterprises.
In May 2018, Bogdan celebrated its 20th anniversary. On the occasion of the holiday, the company organized a large-scale all-Ukrainian event. Residents 9 largest cities Ukraine - Kyiv, Vinnitsa, Khmelnitsky, Sumy, Odessa, Kremenchug, Poltava, Kherson, Ivano-Frankivsk - could travel for free all day long in the new large buses and trolleybuses "Bogdan". The action covered cities that began updating municipal vehicle fleets and switching from small-class buses to modern large- and extra-large-class transport models. In just 20 years, Bogdan produced more than 368 thousand vehicles. Of these, 18,781 are buses and trolleybuses.
In June 2018, the Bogdan Corporation transferred five 12-meter bodies for electric buses to the French manufacturer of environmental transport Bluebus under a contract. Bogdan shipped the bodies within the period specified in the contract. The French customer highly appreciated the quality of Ukrainian products and expressed interest in continuing cooperation.
In July 2018, Bogdan-Industry LLC, the official importer of GreatWall and HAVAL cars in Ukraine, opened the first official HAVAL car showroom in Ukraine in Kyiv. Bogdan Corporation also presented updated version ambulance "Bogdan 2251". The new batch of cars received more than 10 improvements.
In August 2018, Bogdan handed over another batch of trucks to the army all-terrain"Bogdan 6317". This year the company plans to transfer more than 200 units of such equipment.
Military equipment "Bogdan" took part in the parade for the Independence Day of Ukraine on August 24. In particular, 7 command SUVs “Bogdan 2351” and 4 ambulances “Bogdan 2251”. The equipment drove in a column along Khreshchatyk on the occasion of the 27th anniversary of the Independence of Ukraine. In addition, an armored vehicle was presented on Sophia Square multifunctional car all-terrain "Bars-8", equipped with a 120-mm mobile mortar system.
In September 2018, Bogdan sent more than a hundred units of automotive equipment to the Armed Forces of Ukraine as part of the state defense order. This batch included updated ambulances "Bogdan 2251" and trucks "Bogdan 6317". The “Bogdan 2251” model was finalized in collaboration with military doctors by order of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
In November 2018, Bogdan presented the first Ukrainian fully electric truck, manufactured for the Danish company Banke Electromotive, within the walls of the Lutsk Automobile Assembly Plant No. 1. The ERCV27 electric machine is designed for mechanized loading of solid household waste. It will operate in cities in the European Union. Also this month, Bogdan completed ahead of schedule a contract with the Ministry of Defense for the production and supply of Bogdan 2251 ambulances to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
December 2018: President Petro Poroshenko handed over to the Ukrainian Armed Forces 20 new Bogdan 6317 vehicles, manufactured at the Cherkasy plant of the Bogdan Motors company as part of the implementation of the state defense order from the Ministry of Defense.
In January 2019, Bogdan Motors won the auction for the supply of 55 low-floor extra-large trolleybuses Bogdan T90117 to Kyiv. Also this month, the company signed new contracts with the Ministry of Defense for the supply of updated ambulances"Bogdan 2251" and trucks "Bogdan 6317" to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In addition, a new agreement was concluded with the French company Bluebus to produce bodies for electric buses.
In February 2019, Bogdan won the tender for the supply of 57 12-meter trolleybuses to Kharkov, with a passenger capacity of 105 people.
In March 2019, Bogdan Motors won a tender for the supply of 12-meter trolleybuses to Sumy. Also this month, the company produced the first 18-meter electric bus body for the French company Bluebus.
Structure
The production capacity of the Bogdan Corporation allows the production of 120-150 thousand passenger cars, up to 9 thousand buses and trolleybuses of all classes, as well as approximately 15 thousand trucks and specialized equipment. All production processes are as automated as possible.
The company's factories are located in Lutsk and Cherkassy. The Bogdan Corporation includes about 20 companies, including:
Vehicle production
- - production of buses and trolleybuses.
- DP "Car Assembly Plant No. 2" PJSC "Automobile Company "Bogdan Motors" - production of passenger cars.
- Subsidiary Automobile Assembly Plant No. 3 PJSC Automobile Company Bogdan Motors - production of trucks.
Sales and service of vehicles
- Bogdan Auto Holding LLC - sales and service maintenance Hyundai cars, Great Wall, Bogdan, Lifan, Lada, UZ Daewoo. The holding's cars are sold in Ukraine through branches and a developed dealer network.
- Hyundai Motor Ukraine LLC - distribution of Hyundai cars made in Korea.
Providing auto repair services, warranty and post-warranty service
- Bogdan Auto Holding LLC - servicing passenger cars.
Other businesses
- OOO " Automobile group“Bogdan” - provision of consulting and information services.
- Bogdan-Leasing LLC - leasing services.
- LLC "Engineering and Construction Company PBS" - design and survey work.
Production
Cars
In April 2017, the Cherkasy Bogdan plant handed over the first batch of Bogdan-2251 ambulances to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. And in November 2018, the company completed ahead of schedule a contract with the Ministry of Defense for the production and delivery of these vehicles to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
In December 2017, the Bogdan-6317 truck with a WeichalPower engine was approved for operation in the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
In April 2018, Bogdan presented a new multi-purpose SUV, Bogdan 2351. It should replace the outdated UAZ. New car has an engine with a power of 143 l/s, higher maximum speed and load capacity 1000 kg.
Buses and trolleybuses
- DP "Auto Assembly Plant No. 1" PJSC "Automobile Company "Bogdan Motors" (formerly OJSC Lutsk Automobile Plant) was created on the basis of the Lutsk production site of the Bogdan Corporation. The main objective of the enterprise is the production of small, medium, large and extra large class buses and trolleybuses of various modifications.
The plant can produce up to 8,000 buses and trolleybuses per year. The enterprise has a press-procurement, bodywork, painting, assembly production, a complex of diagnostics, finishing and delivery.
The plant produces small, medium, large, extra-large buses and trolleybuses various modifications; in particular, tourist, intercity, suburban, urban, specialized and school.
Photo gallery
Notes
- Russians became interested in Ukrainian “Bogdans” // “Observer” dated July 5, 2005
- Creation of the Bogdan Corporation Archived copy dated February 6, 2015 on the Wayback Machine // official website of the Bogdan Corporation dated May 25, 2005
- WTO and the Ukrainian auto industry: who will win and who will lose // “Arguments and Facts - Ukraine” dated February 8, 2007
- In 2005, the Bogdan Corporation sold over 2,180 buses and vans of various modifications Archived copy dated February 6, 2015 on the Wayback Machine // official website of the Bogdan Corporation dated January 13, 2006
- Maxim Chernyavsky. What's new at the Kiev Motor Show? // “Autoreview”, No. 5, 2006
- The production of buses has begun at the Lutsk Automobile Plant // a single web-portal of executive authorities of Ukraine dated April 13, 2006
- Bogdan will begin production of Hyundai // “Correspondent. NET" dated October 22, 2007
- “Bogdan” began production of trolleybuses // “Kommersant Ukraine” dated February 8, 2007
- “Bogdan” will begin to produce buses for tourists // “Delo. UA" dated May 28, 2008
- Yushchenko opened a new automobile plant in Cherkassy // “Details. UA" dated June 20, 2008
- What Poroshenko built // Forbes Ukraine, April 2013
- “Bogdan” stops distributing Kia cars in Ukraine // “Details. UA" dated April 7, 2009
- “LuAZ” was renamed “Bogdan Motors” // “Autocentre.UA” dated October 30, 2009
- “Bogdan” and Cegelec began joint production of trolleybuses // UNIAN dated June 15, 2010
- Ukrainian police purchased over 400 cars // „Reporter. UA“ dated December 15, 2010
- Bogdan withdrew the plant in Cherkasy from his structure // „Correspondent. NET“ dated March 10, 2011
- “Bogdan Motors” increased production volume by 27% // “Details. UA“ dated October 4, 2011
- Bogdan will begin production of small buses based on Hyundai // „Details. UA“ dated November 14, 2011
- In July, “Bogdan” left the Ukrainian bus market // “TSN.UA” dated August 15, 2012
- The Bogdan Corporation was left without sales markets // “TSN.UA” dated October 11, 2012
- Russia is luring the Ukrainian auto industry // „Today. UA“ dated July 20, 2012
- The Bogdan Corporation reduced car production by 36% in 2012
- Ukraine has introduced duties on the import of new passenger cars // „Details. UA“ dated March 14, 2013
- » After the introduction of special duties on the import of cars, the Bogdan Corporation decided to resume the operation of the plant in Cherkassy. Already in May the plant demonstrated positive dynamics, increasing production volumes"
Import duties on cars helped the domestic economy // “Arguments and Facts - Ukraine” dated June 17, 2013 - Ukrainian intelligence officers bought a bus for 880 thousand hryvnia // “TSN.UA” dated July 19, 2013
- The brainchild of duties: One of the leading automakers in Ukraine will begin producing Chinese cars // “Correspondent. NET" dated May 28, 2013
- "Bogdan" began production of JAC cars // "TSN.UA" dated August 28, 2013
- Another Chinese auto giant boasted of the start of production in Ukraine // “Correspondent. NET" dated October 2, 2013
- The first JAC sedan was assembled in Cherkassy // “Arguments and Facts - Ukraine” dated December 13, 2013
- “Bogdan” reduced car production by almost half // UNIAN on January 13, 2014
- Bogdan-Avto suspends the work of enterprises // “Correspondent. NET" dated January 14, 2014
- Bogdan Corporation will suspend the activities of companies in nine cities of Ukraine // “Correspondent. NET" dated February 15, 2014
- “Bogdan” stops production of Lada // “Details. UA" dated April 28, 2014
- What awaits the Ukrainian auto industry // “Today. UA" dated July 5, 2014
- In January, six car factories stopped in Ukraine // “Arguments and Facts - Ukraine” dated February 11, 2015
- "Bogdan Motors" increased its loss by 6.4 times // UNIAN dated October 27, 2014
- The Bogdan Corporation is retraining to sell used cars // “Arguments and Facts - Ukraine” dated November 3, 2014
- Sales of the most affordable car on the market have begun in Ukraine // “Arguments and Facts - Ukraine” dated December 24, 2014
- The National Guard placed an order for the “Cherkassy bus” for more than 80 million Archival copy dated February 6, 2015 on the Wayback Machine // NEWSRU.UA dated July 28, 2014 (unavailable link since 05/06/2018)
- The National Guard bought buses worth 31 million hryvnia from Poroshenko’s partner // “Correspondent. NET" dated September 19, 2014
- The National Guard of Ukraine purchased 50 Bogdan buses // “Industrial Ukraine” dated September 22, 2014
- The National Guard received 15 mobile personnel accommodation points // “Delo. UA" dated December 15, 2014
- Production of Hyundai dual-use vehicles starts in Cherkassy // “Ukraine Industrial” dated February 18, 2015
- Bogdan Corporation launches production of dual-purpose trucks Archived July 8, 2015 on the Wayback Machine
When choosing a car, a person pays attention, first of all, to price category. Cars in the low price category have high demand in the automotive markets of our country and neighboring countries. Bogdan 2110 also belongs to such demand options.
In December 2009, the Bogdan company (Ukraine) began delivering the machine to automobile markets our country. These cars quickly occupied the market segment vacated after the production of VAZ 2110 cars by the Russian company was discontinued. Let's figure out what Bogdan 2110 is? Owner reviews called it the “improved ten.” Indeed, there are many similarities in the Bogdan 2110 and VAZ 2110 cars. The characteristics indicated in the technical data sheet indicate the presence of the system electronic injection fuel, mechanical five-speed gearbox gear shift, engine capacity is 1600 ml. The engine is available in two versions - with eight and sixteen valves. Bogdan is a car for consumers with a budget of 300-400 thousand rubles. This price category also includes cars of the Priora brands of the Volzhsky Automobile Plant, some ZAZ models, as well as Deo Nexia.
Low gasoline consumption (only about 7.2 - 7.5 liters per 100 km), sufficient ground clearance, a comfortable and roomy interior, ergonomic design - all this distinguishes the Bogdan 2110. Customer reviews also testify in favor of the Ukrainian transformation of the well-known “ten” ( Lada 2110 received this nickname among the people). This car has a front axle drive, due to which it is characterized by good handling. It is also characteristic of him good dynamism. This model equipped with a spacious trunk of 450 liters. is 16.5 cm. The engine has variations with power 80 and 89 Horse power. The volume of the fuel tank is 43 l.
Body type of this car- sedan. He has five seats and is equipped with four doors. One may wonder how the Bogdan 2110 differs from the Lada (VAZ 2110). Reviews from the owners are similar in their opinion that the Bogdan is more playful compared to the Lada. Drivers also note that there is often a creaking noise in the cabin, which, in principle, can easily be eliminated by lubricating the hooks. In the guise of Bogdan in comparison with the VAZ 2110 appeared new part- this is the company's icon, however, it does not evoke positive responses, since its design is not fully thought out and leaves much to be desired.
According to the manufacturers, 170 and 180 km/h are the maximum speed that the Bogdan 2110 develops. Reviews from the owners of this car indicate that it is higher than stated and is 200 km/h. Acceleration time of the car to a speed of 100 km/h in accordance with technical characteristics is 13.5 and 12.5 seconds for engines modifications 21101 and 21104, respectively.
Thus, Bogdan 2110 is a car worthy of attention. Its advantages, in addition to those listed, are also the availability of spare parts, ease of repair and budget cost. The car has a pleasant appearance and, as they say, is suitable for all occasions: for a feast, for the world, and for good people.
| Full title: | OJSC "Cherkasy Bus" (Corporation "Bogdan") |
| Other names: | Cherkasy Automobile Repair Plant (CHARZ), OJSC "Cherkasy Automobile Repair Plant" |
| Existence: | 1966 – 2006 (CHARZ), 2006 - present day (Bogdan) |
| Location: | (USSR) Ukraine, Cherkassy, st. Rozhdestvenskaya, 292 |
| Key figures: | Oleg Svinarchuk - president of the corporation |
| Products: | Cars and trucks, buses, trolleybuses. |
| The lineup: |
Particularly small: A-064/A-065/A-068; A-069 Small: A-091, A-092, A-09280, A-301 Average:\ , A-40100\40160 , A-60110 Particularly large urban ones: A-231 Trolleybuses: E-231, T-50110\T-60111\T-70115 School transport: A-301 Special transport: S-092, A-092 |
From repair to production.
In February 1964, the construction of the Cherkasy Automobile Repair Plant (CHARZ) began. From the very beginning it was assumed that this plant would be engaged in the overhaul of PAZ-652 buses, the design capacity of the plant base was 1.5 thousand units per year. In 1966, by decision of the State Commission, the plant was put into operation, and by 1972 the enterprise reached its full design capacity, which continued until 1993. In 1993, its repair activities were discontinued, during which time more than 25 thousand PAZ buses of models 672 and 652 were repaired.
Thanks to the reconstruction of the auto repair plant, which was carried out in 1971-1972, the plant was able to produce GO-14 products for the military-industrial complex. A new workshop was built, in which by 1993 1,235 units of these products had already been produced. Since 1992, the plant management decided to master the technology of converting IZH-2715 vans into a cargo-passenger version.
In 1994, in accordance with the Decree of the President of Ukraine dated June 15, 1993, the privatization of the enterprise began. Where, on the basis of the enterprise, the Open Joint Stock Company “Cherkassy Auto Repair Plant” was created. The range of products began to increase, which was facilitated by a large-scale reorganization of production. And in 1996, on the basis of the Gazelle car, the production of a minibus was mastered and a method was developed for converting an all-metal car to cargo version for five to seven seats and for a minibus with twelve seats. For the repair and maintenance of main gas pipelines, based on the chassis of the KrAZ-260 G vehicle, we began the production of emergency mobile workshops. We also established the production of trailers for passenger cars, mastered the AMG-1 mobile repair workshops, and began re-equipping IZH and UAZ vehicles.
Reorientation and a new stage of development.
A new stage of development of the plant began in 1998. This year he is part of the owned by the concern"Ukrprominvest", industrial and investment holding "Bogdan". Now the plant is changing its profile orientation and is starting to produce a small city bus called A-091 “Bogdan”. This bus developed on the basis of the ISUSU NQR 71P chassis. For this purpose, a major overhaul was carried out in the workshops and new equipment was installed.
Starting from November 12, 2000, the enterprise began to engage exclusively in the assembly of “Bogdanov” and the enterprise was renamed “Cherkasy Bus”. All projects that were developed at the plant in 1998-1999 were implemented at other facilities.
Since December 2000, a painting complex with a total area of 1080 sq.m. was put into operation. In the first quarter of 2003, a new workshop for the production of fiberglass products with a capacity of 150 tons of products per year was launched, gasification and reconstruction were also carried out production premises, a new welding shop was commissioned, high-tech new equipment was purchased and installed.
Already in February 2003, a new model of the small city bus A-092 “Bogdan” saw the light, and in the same year preparations began for the release of a new big bus"Bogdan" A-231 and small city bus "Bogdan" A-062.
In 2009, the Bogdan Corporation introduced five types of new products, the new fifteen-meter city trolleybus Bogdan T-801.10 is also one of these five. The trolleybus was tested at the Kurenevsky DEPOT of the Kyiv municipal enterprise "Kievpastrans".
If we talk about product exports, then since 2006 its volumes have increased significantly. For comparison: in 2005, 26.5% of buses were exported, and in 2007 - 35.6%. Details of a new investment agreement regarding the construction of an industrial complex on a land plot in the Borsky district are being discussed between the Bogdan corporation and the government Nizhny Novgorod region Russian Federation, this land plot belongs to the Bogdan corporation.
Our days.
The Bogdan Corporation began its existence in February 2005; twenty companies are part of it, including OJSC Cherkasy Bus, JSC Automobile Company Bogdan Motors, Hyundai Motors Ukraine. Today, the corporation continues to produce more and more new Bogdan models; for example, at the Lutsk Automobile Plant, on May 29, 2008, a new model of the T-501 trolleybus was presented. In 2009, 624 trolleybuses and buses were produced. The products of Cherkasy Bus OJSC have proven themselves well in many neighboring countries - the Czech Republic and Bulgaria, Armenia and Georgia, Belarus and Russia, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, and many other countries.
At the time of the formation of the Bogdan corporation, the enterprises included in its structure were already one of the leading operators on the Ukrainian market. According to AUTO-Consulting, at the end of 2004, the newly created “Bogdan” controlled 14.2% of the market and assembled cars at the Lutsk Automobile Plant, organized co-production VAZ-2107, 2093\99 at ZAZ and produced its own Bogdan buses in Cherkassy. The concern was an importer of Hyundai, KIA, Subaru cars and the main operator of AvtoVAZ products in Ukraine. Himself car brand“Bogdan” was born back in 1998, with the advent of the first bus A091.
With the advent of the Bogdan corporation, the largest-scale modern history Ukrainian automobile project - the construction of a completely new automobile plant in Cherkassy with a capacity of 120,000 cars per year. Everything at the same time bus production from Cherkassy was supposed to move to Lutsk on the area of the LuAZ plant, where it was created modern plant for the production of buses with a capacity of 7,000 units per year.
These rotations are called “castling”, by analogy with chess. Ukraine has never seen such large-scale relocations of car factories. But in 2005, the car market was on the rise and was growing by 30-40% per year.
The Bogdan Corporation was successful in all its endeavors, and exported its buses of the same name to Russia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova and Belarus. In 2005 alone, the volume of bus production increased by 78% and reached 2008 units. And the assembly of passenger cars in Lutsk exceeded 30,000 units.
After the announcement in 2005 in Russia of special benefits for automobile manufacturers, the Bogdan corporation decided, together with its partners, to build another automobile plant in the Nizhny Novgorod region, where cars, trucks and buses were to be produced. The Ukrainian delegation, which arrived on December 20, 2006, to lay the first stone in the construction of a new enterprise and then announced grandiose plans. “Investments in the construction of the plant will amount to 470 million US dollars. Full localization of the project will additionally attract another 300 million US dollars,” said Oleg Svinarchuk, president of the Bogdan Corporation, in Nizhny Novgorod (Russian Federation) at the ceremony of laying the first stone of the plant.
According to the project, the enterprise’s welding, painting, and assembly technology facilities were to produce Chevrolet Lanos and Chevrolet Aveo passenger cars in the amount of 160,000 cars per year, as well as 6,000 Bogdan-Isuzu buses of small, medium and large classes. It is also planned to produce 8,000 bus chassis, as well as diesel engines for medium-duty trucks and buses. Production capacity will be 60,000 engines per year.
But even then Ukrainian investments were not really allowed into the Russian market. The construction of a car plant in the Russian Federation never began, but the construction of a new enterprise in Cherkassy was underway full swing. The Bogdan Corporation increased its sales every year and introduced new product after new product. In 2007, according to AUTO-Consulting, it already became operator No. 2 in the Ukrainian car market.
True, strategists even then had concerns about the conditions under which Ukraine joined the WTO that were too unfavorable for production workers. However, given the crazy growth rates of the car market, it seemed that “the worst could not happen.”
But it still happened. Ukraine joined the WTO in 2008 and immediately lowered import duties on cars in the middle of the year. At that moment there was a holiday in the Bogdan corporation - the opening of a brand new and long-awaited automobile plant in Cherkassy.
On June 20, 2008, something extraordinary happened for automotive industry Ukrainian event. The newest automobile plant "Bogdan" was put into operation in Cherkassy, having a full production cycle including welding, painting and assembly. Investments of the Bogdan corporation in the construction of a new automobile plant in Cherkassy exceeded $330 million. The enterprise was to produce two models of Lada passenger cars (2110, 2111) and three models of Hyundai cars (Tucson, Elantra and Accent). The capacity of the enterprise was determined by the latest Eisemann painting complex, with a capacity of 120 thousand bodies per year. And the total number of personnel in all departments has reached more than 14 thousand!
Even the then President of Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko, came to open a new plant in Cherkassy. Here is one of his quotes: “I am convinced that today we are witnessing the birth of the first Ukrainian car. We will come to our own brand, to our own configuration. I have no doubt about it." Viktor Andreevich was disingenuous then. Firstly, his own car brand had already celebrated its 10th anniversary, and secondly, on the same day he signed a decree on joining the WTO without a transition period. This “black” decree of Yushchenko is still remembered in Bogdan.
The new plant immediately began producing cars under the Bogdan brand and even developing its own versions on the Lada platform.
But in the fall the financial crisis of 2008 struck. Sales in all markets began to fall, and in Ukraine they simply collapsed. The devaluation of the currency was aggravated by a sharp decrease in duties on foreign cars and the lack of support from the state. The next “surprise” came from Hyundai, which decided not to produce its cars in Cherkassy. The plant was left with only one partner - Russian AvtoVAZ.
Meanwhile, the corporation's foreign currency loans, which at that time had reached $500 million and were invested in the construction of automobile factories, immediately turned into a heavy burden and did not allow for development. In April 2009, the Bogdan corporation ceased distribution of the KIA brand, and the Cherkasy Bus plant left the Bogdan orbit.
But the Bogdan corporation finds a way out and decides to organize full-scale production of cars Chinese company JAC. Moreover, deliveries of these models are planned not only to Ukraine, but also to Russia, Kazakhstan, and subsequently to Europe. Bogdan quickly launches full-scale production of JAC, as well as the assembly of another brand - Great Wall.
The corporation's portfolio is replenished by Chinese Lifan.
The bus plant in Lutsk is also looking for new niches and is actually “cutting” a window to Europe. Joint production of Bogdan trolleybuses opens in the Czech Republic and Poland. On the eve of the Euro 2012 championship, the Bogdan corporation signs a memorandum with MAN on the production of tourist and airport buses.
In 2012, the time came for trade wars with Russia, from which all Ukrainian manufacturers suffered. The fatal blow was dealt by the so-called recycling fee, which all importers were required to pay, despite the operation of the Free Trade Zone. Ukrainian cars immediately became uncompetitive in comparison with products Russian factories. Bogdan began to lose the large Russian market and cut production again.
And then there was Maidan, the annexation of Crimea, the war in Donbass, the devaluation of the hryvnia by 3 times and the severance of all business contacts with Russia. The Cherkassy plant assembled the last sets and finally stopped in the summer of 2014.
The new collapse of the Ukrainian market to 46 thousand cars at the end of 2015 left no chance for the plant to survive at the expense of the domestic market. The Russian market turned out to be closed, and transit to Kazakhstan and Central Asia was problematic.
But even in such conditions, the corporation’s management did not lose heart. In the most difficult conditions, they relied on their own production of military equipment. IN as soon as possible in Cherkassy they are creating a whole family of Ukrainian Bars armored vehicles. They were developed from scratch by our own design bureau, which was preserved. A year later, Bars successfully passes tests. In addition, the Bogdan Corporation is mastering the production of all-wheel drive ambulances, kungs for army equipment and other dual-use equipment.
The Lutsk plant “Bogdan Motors” was also able to stabilize the situation and successfully delivered trolleybuses to Poland, was the first in Ukraine to produce an electric bus, and switched to new environmental standards Euro 5, and recently even announced a new recruitment.
As we can see, over 12 years the history of the Bogdan Corporation has seen its ups and downs, but the main thing is that key enterprises have survived and even found their place in the new realities of the market. Yes, the volumes are no longer the same, and new cars don’t roll out of the factory gates every minute – as they used to. But Bogdan is not used to relying on the past and looking for those to blame, and they still rely only on their own strengths. The corporation is confident that the revival of Ukraine will begin with industrial production, with the creation of jobs and the production of its own products. But not every state can produce cars. Ukraine can still do this.
And the corporation’s management is still looking for new solutions and will definitely find them. There will be even better times for the Bogdan Corporation. There will also be new “Bogdans” traveling on the roads. And there will be thousands of new jobs. The Bogdan Corporation is accustomed to difficulties. But only those who walk can master the road!
We have been to LuAZ more than once. The same administrative building, the same Christmas trees at the entrance, the same buildings with brickwork, but outside the entrance we were greeted by a completely different plant. Now there is no hint of passenger car production, SKD assembly of cars and trucks has not been carried out in Lutsk for many years.
The plant completely changed its profile and changed beyond recognition. Over the past 10 years, a classic bus production has been created in Lutsk, designed to produce 8-9-10 meter, 12 and 18 meter buses and trolleybuses. And today, Automobile Assembly Plant No. 1 “Bogdan Motors” is, without exaggeration, the best bus plant in Ukraine. It could well have been one of the best in Europe, but just a couple of years of growth in the car market were not enough.
Hard times
The 2008 crisis caught Lutsk Automobile Plant in the midst of reconstruction and construction of the 2nd stage of bus production, which according to plans was supposed to be completed in 2009. In Lutsk, they managed to build 99% of the newest EISENMANN painting complex, designed for painting 12-meter bus bodies. Within the framework of this complex, even a cataphoresis line was built, consisting of 6 consecutive chambers and baths, into which the entire 12-meter bus body can be placed. Frankly, I have only ever seen such a line at AUTO-Consulting bus factories. newest plant MAN-Neoplan in Turkey, launched in 2014.
It was to this plant that the German manufacturer transferred all bus production from Europe. After such a line, bus bodies come out with such a degree of anti-corrosion protection that they are safely guaranteed for 10-12 years.
But in Lutsk the 2nd stage was never launched, although they managed to complete all installation and construction work. For its rhythmic operation, a load of 300 buses per month is required, and Bogdan Motors Auto Assembly Plant No. 1 produced only 144 units in 2015. With such volumes, the buses will be “golden”. The line was mothballed until better times. But they all don't come.
But the plans also included a 3rd stage. With its commissioning, 6.5 thousand buses per year would be produced in Lutsk. But it never got to the point of construction.
Now the plant operates in the 1st stage areas and can produce a maximum of 2.2 thousand cars per year (with 3-shift operation). Capacity is limited throughput painting complex of 7 chambers. But they haven’t worked 3 shifts at the car plant for a long time.
Director of the Automobile Assembly Plant No. 1 subsidiary Nikolai Dzhula, from memory, names each buyer of the 144 buses and trolleybuses produced last year. He also remembers the specifications of each model.
How Bogdan buses are made
Of the 36 thousand m2 of production space, barely half is currently in use. But in Lutsk they still make buses with clean slate metal The production process begins in the procurement workshop, where equipment for laser cutting of metal was purchased. But blanks from pipes and angles are still processed on old machines.
The press production where the body of the Volynyanka was stamped was completely shut down, and the last large press was removed from the plant a year ago. Only a few small pressing machines were left to produce buses.
After the mechanical procurement shop, parts and blanks arrive at the body shop. Here, using special equipment, the floor, sides, and roof of the future bus are molded. By the way, the equipment at Automobile Assembly Plant No. 1 is made entirely independently. The slipways allow you to maintain the geometry in accordance with the modifications.
In the paint shop, the bus body sequentially passes through 7 chambers along the line, where, according to technology, it is subjected to the following operations: degreasing, drying, priming, putty, preparation for painting, painting, drying at a temperature of 60 degrees and final acceptance. It is the capacity of this workshop that determines the plant’s maximum capacity of 2,200 buses per year.
The painted body is then transported to the assembly shop, where, depending on the dimensions, it enters the appropriate assembly line. “Automobile Assembly Plant No. 1” can simultaneously produce 8 and 10-meter buses, buses and trolleybuses with a length of 12 m, and especially large class cars with a length of up to 18 m.
Lines assembly line designed for large volumes. Today, only a few people pass through them. For example, on the line of 12-meter vehicles, we counted only 5 frames of future trolleybuses - this is a batch for Odessa.
On the line of small class buses there was a batch of Bogdan A221 buses for Kyiv and the production of A069 school buses was completed under old contracts.
According to the technology, after assembly, each bus must make a test ride and go to the site for final delivery to the customer. Here it will be checked for leaks in a separate chamber, the headlights, toxicity, condition of the paintwork will be adjusted and, if necessary, defects will be corrected. Here the bus is finally given the go-ahead to carry passengers and the final act is signed.
Plant prospects
Euro-5 standards, which came into force in Ukraine on January 1, 2016, changed the model policy of the enterprise. As the director of the enterprise, Nikolai Dzhula, told us, the first Euro-5 buses in Lutsk were produced back in 2014 for Vinnitsa. Thanks to cooperation with IVECO, Automobile Assembly Plant No. 1 already has model range two modifications of Euro-5: the 10-meter model Bogdan A145.32 and the city 12-meter model A701.32. The plant is also considering the option of installing Cummins Euro-5 engines.
The supply of city buses is limited by the budget capabilities of cities and depends on the results of tenders. In Lutsk they are ready to produce buses for the whole of Ukraine, but somehow it turns out that not everywhere officials give preference to Bogdans. Factory workers perceive every lost tender very painfully. In conditions where there are already few orders, this means weeks of plant downtime.
The situation with 8-meter buses is even more complicated. The plant does not yet produce Euro-5 in this class. In the workshop we only saw the prototype Bogdan A221.15 with a gas-powered engine. But for some reason they don’t make a special bet on the gas version in Lutsk, unlike their colleagues from Cherkasy Bus. According to plant director Nikolai Dzhula, the first Indian Ashok Leyland vehicle sets with Euro-5 engines are expected to be delivered on June 15. After some time, the 8-meter Euro-5 bus will be offered to carriers.
Bogdan Motors places special hopes on the European market. In cooperation with the Polish company Ursus, the plant managed to win a tender for the supply of 38 Bogdan-Ursus T70116 trolleybuses to the city of Lublin. This contract gave the plant an understanding of the quality level and requirements for urban transport in Europe. The acceptance process was very tough, but the plant managed it. And the trolleybuses were far from simple. Lublin "Bogdans" are equipped with autonomous movement, which allows you to build new routes even where there is no contact network. These trolleybuses have a “squat” system at stops, which allows you to enter the cabin more comfortably, since the trolleybus tilts a few centimeters on the right side and approaches the stop curb. And also these “Bogdans” have an energy-saving door opening system, which allows you to open at a stop only those doors that passengers are going to use - this allows you to more effectively maintain the temperature in the cabin.
In addition to trolleybuses, the first 12-meter electric bus Bogdan A701.00 was also transferred to Lublin for trial operation. It has a power reserve of 120 km. The body for it was made using stainless steel - it is 2.5 times more expensive than from ferrous metal. The electric bus has been traveling along the route in Poland for more than a year and has received a European certificate.
As plant director Nikolai Dzhula recalls: “According to the terms of the contract, we had to produce an electric bus in 2 months, and negotiations lasted almost six months. When we handed over the electric bus, I then told our partners that we had been bargaining longer than we were making the car.”
And the key to such speed was personnel. The car plant managed to retain the design team and attract the best specialists from Lvov. This potential has saved the enterprise more than once. Over the 10 years of the bus era, 20 models and 35 modifications were produced in Lutsk. And the Bogdan bus brand is known not only in Ukraine, but also in Poland, Georgia, Belarus and Russia.
Ironically, those trolleybuses that were written off in Lublin after the “Bogdanov” were delivered there were bought by Lutsk. Old Yelch people also drive past the car plant. Instead of their own “Bogdanov”...Probably, the rise of “Auto Assembly Plant No. 1” will come when local authorities in all cities understand that they need to buy vehicles of their own production.
P.S.
The history of this enterprise has seen both ups and downs. During this time, he had to change his activity profile four times. At the Lutsk Automobile Plant (now Bogdan Motors), somewhere in a dark corner, they discovered a wonderful historical exhibition. The factory workers not only saved it, but also restored it if possible. There is even the only surviving prototype of the ZAZ-969 (not LuAZ, but ZAZ).
And in the transport workshop of Bogdan Motors they found a convertible truck based on the Turkish Otoyol bus chassis. As long as an enterprise honors and remembers its history, it is alive. Here they are trying to use the name LuAZ less and less, replacing it with simply “automobile plant” or “Bogdan automobile plant”. And the production of passenger cars in Lutsk can no longer be restored, neither the Luaz-1301, nor even the primitive TPK-967 - the plant was completely reoriented to bus production, there is no passenger conveyor, and the last presses and stamps used for the passenger car program were removed from the plant a year ago . Now there are only buses.
