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The Chevrolet Niva, a mini-SUV produced as a joint venture between GM and Russian automaker AvtoVAZ, is a beige little ute based on a Lada. It's an incredibly boring car in current form, but the next generation Niva concept unveiled today ahead of the Moscow auto show is a strong enough idea to make us wonder why Chevy hasn't tried something like this over here. Even if you ditch the concept-y winch up front, knobbly tires, off-road snorkel and roof rack featuring enough lights to illuminate Norilsk, the new Niva still manages to look far more aggressive than the standard...

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin made a public presentation of his new Niva vehicle, which he bought about a month ago. The car was unveiled to reporters near Putin’s residence in the city of Sochi in Russia’s south, where Putin conducted negotiations with the prime minister of Turkey. Putin told reporters that he was enjoying driving his new car, although he only traveled about 300 meters, RIA Novosti reports. Putin did not specify the price that he paid for the SUV. Putin said that he liked the new wheels of the car, its soft suspension and the powerful engine. The...

Chevy Niva Is Most Stolen Car By Carl Schreck Staff Writer Mikhail Novoselov / Vedomosti Chevy Nivas, shown on the assembly line, are popular for their hard-to-find parts. The film world is abuzz with speculation on which films will clean up at the U.S. Academy Awards next month, but if the Russian crime world were to bestow similar honors, there would be no doubt about which car would drive off the stage triumphantly in the "Most Stolen Automobile" category. The Chevrolet-Niva 4x4 was the most stolen car in 2004, according to a survey of insurance companies, Izvestia reported. More...