OREANDA-NEWS.  January 30, 2012. These days Association "Ukrautoprom" held a general meeting of the members of the Association, the main theme of which was to discuss the results of the previous year and determine the priorities and strategic objectives for 2012. 

 According to the specialists of “Ukrautoprom” in 2011 in Ukraine the domestic automobile plants produced 104 thousand 653 vehicles, which is 26% more than the previous year. Among them: cars – 97,585 pcs. (+30%); commercial vehicles – 3,330 pcs. (-37%); buses – 3,738 pcs. (+36%). However, despite the 26% growth, the level of utilization capacity was approximately 20%.

 The structure of the market over the past three years, remains unchanged. The share of imported cars made 71%, while the share of Ukrainian auto industry, only - 29%.The same trend is observed in the commercial vehicles segment, where 89% make import and 11% - Ukrainian production. The only part of the car market, which has a significant advantage of Ukrainian production over import - is buses, 70% and 30% respectively. For 9 months 2011 were exported 33 749 units. of vehicles, among which passenger cars make 95% of the total amount, commercial vehicles - 4% and buses - 1%. The negative balance of export to import was USD -2.367 billion. Compared to the same period of 2010 the volumes of auto import in Ukraine had increased on 83%, and export of vehicles - only on 27%. During 2011, the gross product sales amounted to more than 12 bln.grv.

 As the president of the Association Mykhailo Reznik noted "the exclusion of the domestic product continues." That is why in 2011 in order to protect the domestic automakers in the domestic market, an application on initiating a special investigation concerning cars import to Ukraine regardless the country origin and export was submitted to the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine, by the Association "Ukrautoprom", on behalf of automakers. Now the Interdepartmental Commission has not yet completed a special investigation and will hold the hearings on this investigation, including the participation of the representatives from the Association.

The participants of the meeting were informed about the state of the world automobile market, which was presented by the president of the association, after having taken part in the General Assembly of the World Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers OICA, which took place in October 2011 in Bucharest, Romania. During the round tables the representatives of the various national associations discussed the global automotive market, the pace of development and the policies pursued by the governments around the world to implement "green" technology and create new environmental friendly and energy-efficient vehicles.

 In 2011 the Association "Ukrautoprom" held the third international conference on development of automobile industry in Ukraine "AutoPROm.UA2011". Traditionally, the event was held with the representatives of the automotive industry, owners of car companies, analysts and international experts, leaders of the insurance and banking sectors and government representatives. The guest of honor of the conference was the Secretary General of OICA, Mr. Van der Straaten, who arrived in Kyiv at the invitation of the association "Ukrautoprom."

 During Mr. Straaten’s visit in Ukraine, a series of meetings at the state level, especially with the Prime Minister of Ukraine Mr. Mykola Azarov, Chairman of the Board of the Association "Ukrautoprom" Tariel Vasadze and president of the Association Mykhailo Reznik were held.

 One of the major issues discussed during the meeting, was functioning of the automobile industry in terms of free trade agreements with the EU and the CIS. According to the participants, in the past year, the Association has played an active role in solving critical issues of the automotive industry in Ukraine, because since 2011 due to the efforts of the members of the Association a number of important documents were developed and submitted to the state authorities. As noted the president, Mr. Reznik, "the plan of the association "Ukrautoprom" of 2012 foresees a direct participation in shaping the regulatory framework, necessary for the development of the national automotive industry of Ukraine." By the unanimous decision of the members of the association a report on the financial and economic activity for 2011 and work plan for 2012 have been approved.

 Two Autosalons, held by the Association with the support of partner - "Autoexpo", took place on schedule. The following year, 2012, Ukraine will host another international motor show under the aegis of OICA – Kyiv International Autosalon of commercial vehicles, scheduled for early October and Kyiv Autosalon of passenger cars, which is traditionally held in Kyiv in late May.

The rotation took place in the Council of the Association. A new Chairman of the Council for 2012 was elected; the one to become was Oleg Boyarin, succeeding Tariel Vasadze. President of the Association, Mr. Reznik thanked Mr. Vasadze for his work and noted the effectiveness of his cooperation with the Association during his tenure as Chairman of the Council.

At the end of the meeting the president of the Association "Ukrautoprom" Mykhailo Reznik solemnly presented the honorary award for outstanding achievement and contribution to the development of the domestic automotive industry to the Chairman of the Board of JSC "Cherkassy Bus" Vitaliy Raabe and private joint stock company "Boryspil Automobile Plant" (The Corporation "Etalon").

Having defined the priorities and taken personnel decisions, the president of the Association Mykhailo Reznik thanked everyone for their fruitful work in 2011, expressed hope for further efficient work aimed at the development of automobile industry in Ukraine and announced the end of the meeting.