The latest model of the Chinese Neta car brand, Neta S, is already in Armenia. This 100% electric car is designed for people with certain sports temper. Its presentation took place on June 2, within the framework of the Leasin Expo organized at the Sports Concert Complex, and from now on this vehicle will be available not only in the Armenian market, but also in Georgia.

The agreement for the official presentation of Neta electric cars in Georgia was reached between the management staff of the car brand, who had come to Armenia to take part in the presentation and strengthen Armenian-Chinese business ties, and Andron, the official and exclusive representative of Neta in Armenia. Andron is a Shtigen Group company, which represents all models of the car brand in the Armenian market.

Banks.am recounts the details of the presentation of Neta S and the first visit to Armenia of the car brand's management staff, led by Deputy Director Wang Chen Ji.

Neta Latest Model in Armenia

"The most important policy our car brand has adopted is the internationalization of Neta electric cars," Wang Chen Ji, Deputy Director of the brand, emphasized during the presentation, noting that in this context, they attach great importance to the development of cooperation with Armenia.

"Armenia is a part of the Chinese "Silk Road" project, we attach great importance to Armenia's both geographical and political position on that road. Our team has already conducted visits to many countries. Now, we find the South Caucasus to be a region of special importance, where we can present our electric cars, underscoring the gist that these cars will be available to the general public," he said.

According to Wang Chen Ji, at this moment Chinese brands are the best in the electric car market, and Neta, despite its short history of only 5 years, has already held serious positions in car sales. "In the Chinese electric car market Neta is in the top 20, and as a start-up, it is the leader in growth in China."

The Andron company, named after the famous Armenian scientist Andranik Iosifyan, has a four-year history of cooperation with Neta.

"For Andron and the other Shtigen Group companies, values derived from corporate national responsibility are of fundamental importance. We do not come out as a company that only sells, but we try to contribute to the spread of awareness of green behavior," said Arpi Harutyunyan, Head of Shtigen Group Public Relations.

In addition to selling electric cars, Andron also provides warranty service, which, according to company Director Armen Melyan, is the "number one" advantage of these electric cars.

"In the Armenian market we don't only introduce Neta electric cars, but also a whole value system, pursuing the objective of gathering around us not just buyers, but people who are on the same page and will have full confidence in the brand presented," he noted.

Neta S is the third model of the car brand. The previous two models have also been presented in Armenia.

A New Electric Car With All the Functions of the Time

While showcasing the features of the latest Neta model, Sipan Hovsepyan, responsible for the car brand, noted that it was equipped with all the modern functions. The electric car accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds, its doors open upside, there are screens both for the driver and passenger, a fully panoramic roof that provides heat insulation and protection from harmful rays.

"The electric car has a fourth-level driving mode, which allows the driver to provide minimal intervention and ensures the best course for the vehicle.

The car is equipped with 21 loudspeakers built into the interior and the seats," Sipan Hovsepyan said.

Armenian-Chinese Business Ties

Besides the managerial staff of the car brand, Vahan Kerobyan, the Minister of Economy of Armenia, the Shtigen Group management staff, representatives of the Chinese Embassy in Armenia, businessmen who spoke about the perspectives of Armenian-Chinese business relations also attended the presentation.

"In the modern world the role and importance of the Chinese economy is huge. Nowadays, China has scored evident achievements in various fields. In particular, this country is making great progress in the field of electric vehicles. Shtigen has been cooperating with Chinese companies since 2012, and with the Neta brand – since 2019. We have already established reliable mutual relations and rooted good traditions. Currently, we are expanding cooperation in the region. Armenian businessmen can already cooperate with Chinese companies represented not only in Armenia, but also in Georgia. We will create a new culture of car service, we will also be pursuing and eventually gain in that the electric vehicles intended for the Chinese market will be produced taking into account the characteristics of our region," Hayk Shekyan said.

She Dziabao, temporary Head of the Economic Office of the Chinese Embassy in Armenia, also noted that Armenia was an important trade partner for China. "Last year, China was the second trade partner for Armenia. Even now, many Chinese companies are interested in being represented in Armenia."

According to him, in recent years, the Armenian government has been paying great attention to solar energy and electric vehicles.

"Neta is one of the most reliable Chinese brands in the field, which has been recently developing rapidly, and is exported to a dozen of countries in the world."

Agreements And the Component of Getting to Know Armenia

The visit of the Neta car brand management to Armenia lasted for three days. During the visit the delegation was hosted at the Shtigen Group offices in order to develop Armenian-Chinese business ties and obtain new cooperation agreements.

Armen Melyan, Director of Andron company, estimated the discussions held with Chinese partners as mutually beneficial and noted that: "During their visit to Armenia, the Neta official representatives visited the official office of the automobile company in Armenia. They highly appreciated the representation of the brand in Armenia."

While discussing partnership relations Neta management and Shtigen Group reached a number of agreements.

"Besides the main agreement that Neta will officially come out in Georgia as well, we have agreed that the car brand will be introduced to our public at more favorable prices. Taking into account the features of the Armenian car market, Andron will also present a new series of Neta models on our routes," Hayk Shekyan put in, noting that the Chinese partners described the Armenian electric car market as a rapidly developing and profitable sector.

The Chinese delegation visited the Armenian-Chinese Friendship School, the "City of Engineering". The visit also embraced the component of getting to know Armenia. The delegation visited historical and cultural monuments, enjoyed dinner at the Armenian restaurants in order to get a more profound picture of the Armenian palette.

"The students of the Armenian-Chinese Friendship School welcomed the guests with a greeting organized via Chinese and a concert program, demonstrating the culture and friendship of the two countries in a very interesting synthesis. Shtigen Group representatives and Chinese delegates toured the school and got acquainted with the best educational example, the proof of the Armenian-Chinese friendship. Shtigen does not rule out that further cooperation with the school is possible based on this case study. In addition, since Armenia is a country with automobile manufacturing traditions, we also took our Chinese partners to the "Engineering City", where they got acquainted with the Armenian “Dream” Car Model, explained the Head of  the Shtigen Group Public Relations, adding that it was not at all by chance that one of the slogans of the Andron company read “Charge your DREAMS”.

"We find that it is of particular importance to strengthen the Armenian-Chinese business ties, as long as China is an extremely large and promising market, and the signals coming from there serve as a proof that these ties should be put on the most reliable foundations possible. Shtigen has created those foundations to the best of its ability, and the Chinese partners got to know quite vividly what we actually do in that regard," Arpi Harutyunyan summarized the visit.

The management of the Neta car brand left Armenia, taking with them the "joint canvas" symbolizing the Armenian-Chinese partnership, forged during the Neta S model presentation, and colored by the Armenian and Chinese guests who attended the event.

Arpi Jilavyan
Photos by Emin Aristakesyan and Shtigen Group