The Derways Automobile Company (ООО Автомобильная компания ДЕРВЕЙС, Avtomobil'naya kompaniya DERVEYS) was a Russian automaker located in Cherkessk, Karachay-Cherkessia. Founded in 2003, it was Russia's first private car manufacturer and a part of the Russian Mercury Group. Since June 2007, the company has been producing 100,000 units annually for the local market in a joint venture with the Chinese firms Lifan Group and Liaoning SG Automotive Group Co., Ltd. Derways' second plant was opened in the fall of 2009. The company employed around 3,000 workers.
Name
The name "Derways" is composed of two parts: "Der," derived from the surname of the founders (the Dereva brothers), and "ways," from the English word "roads."
History
- 2003 - Assembly of the prototype SUV Derways "Cowboy" (Derways 3131), which was first exhibited at the "Russian International Motor Show" in Moscow. The car was built on a Romanian ARO chassis, and later, Chinese chassis were used. The "Cowboy" passed all tests at the NAMI test site and received certification.
- 2004 - The opening of the plant and the start of mass production. By the end of the year, the plant reached a production level of 5,000 vehicles annually.