what about ,TATRA??!! - �� 2

#6 18-03-2011, 06:21 PM

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Unfortunately, very few Westerners found either flavour fitting of what was essentially an updated version of a Commie spin on their German limousines - no matter how lovely or innovative they were. In 1998, as the curtains closed on the T700, 100 years of Tatra car production had come to an end

:w6 w200504112220146b:12AC0D~ 156:. It was a typical Czech story: a bold venture, turned surprising success story, ends tragically under extraneous circumstances. So if you're feeling sorry and are looking for a quirky, satisfying sedan that oozes individuality, buy a Tatra and give it a good home. If not for yourself, do it for the Czechs.

In the '90s, with the post-communist crisis, the Tatra's automotive production enters in the final period of life. In the 1996, the last evolution of the "T613" was launched: the "T700", in the four pics above. It was strictly derived from the previous model, but with several improvements: the engine, with electronic injection, was boosted up to 200 hp, the coachwork was updated (in collaboration with an English design center), and all the interiors were changed. The equipment was outstanding: electric seats (Recaro-type or in leather), automatic climatization with differentiation between front and rear seats, and there was, in option, the choice of an integrated system for TV-VCR, fax, PC and telephone. The car was more pleasant than the "T613", with a front part that reminds the pre-'70s aerodynamic models. Although the dated project (but not more dated than a Jaguar XJ...), it was an elegant and rich car.

T613 in 1996. An attempt was made to produce an updated version, the Tatra T700; it was largely based on the old car, with updated body panels and detail. Sales were poor, and having in its history produced a total of 90,000 cars, Tatra finally abandoned their manufacture in 1999 to concentrate on trucks.

The United States Terex Corporation acquired the majority ownership (71%) of Tatra in late 2003.^[30] As of late 2006, however, majority ownership (80.51%) lies in the hands of Tatra Holdings s.r.o., an international consortium comprising Vectra Limited of UK, Sam Eyde of the U.S., KBC Private Equity of Belgium, Meadowhill s.r.o. of Czech Republic and Ronald Adams of the U.S. On 15 December 2006, a contract was signed between Tatra and the Czech Republic for 556 trucks at roughly $ 130 million, or 2.6 billion Czech crowns. This contract was signed in lieu of replacement of older military vehicles.
In April 2007 Tatra announced that it had already matched its production in 2006 and produced 1,600 vehicles. In 2007 Tatra plans to produce between 2,300 and 2,500 vehicles. In contrast to previous years, Tatra has increased employment by the hundreds within the past two quarters, has reversed previous errors, and is growing again. Although there have been many struggles in the past decade, the company still remains one of the great prides of Czech industry and has proven to be a valuable asset to international engineering, with its unique assembly and production methods and designs.