GAZ Group and Mersa Otomotiv have announced official opening of an assembly facility and market launch of GAZ light commercial vehicles in Turkey. The project includes SKD assembly of several models of GAZelle BUSINESS and Sobol BUSINESS light commercial vehicles, as well as creation of a distribution and service network in all regions of Turkey.
Mr A Novak the Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation chairman of the Russian and Turkish Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation, Mr A Rakhmanov deputy Minister of Industry and Mr V Ivanovski Trade of the Russian Federation and Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Turkey took part in the official ceremony of GAZelle production launch in the Turkish province of Sakarya.
At the first stage of the project the partners are planning to start assembly of GAZelle BUSINESS drop-side trucks with standard and extended platforms with single and double cabins, as well as various specialty vehicles on GAZelle platform. At the second stage, in 2013, production of Sobol BUSINESS drop side modification and panel van will be launched. It is planned to start assembly of Valday medium-duty city truck at the end of next year. All light commercial vehicles will be equipped with Cummins ISF 2.8 diesel engines and Valday with Cummins ISF 3.8 diesel engine.
GAZelle BUSINESS sales in Turkey will start in the Marmara Region, which makes up 46% of the light commercial vehicles market in Turkey. 10 GAZ Mersa Otomotiv dealerships will open in the region until the end of the year. It is planned to increase the number of dealerships to 16 and the number of specialized service stations to 32 until the end of 2013.
Mr Bo Andersson president &CEO of GAZ Group said that "Our cooperation with Mersa Otomotiv is a long-term project, which starts implementation of GAZ Group's export strategy. We are sure that high economic efficiency of our vehicles their suitability for severe conditions of operation in the commercial transportations segment, high payload and maneuverability will be highly appealing to the Turkish customers. At the first stage of the project we will focus our efforts on establishment of a flawless production system, distribution and service network in all regions of Turkey."
Mr Alexander Novak minister of Energy of the Russian Federation, chairman of the Russian-Turkish Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation said that "I am glad to attend the opening of GAZ light commercial vehicles facility in Turkey. GAZelle production launch is the first experience of Russian automakers entering export markets over the last years. Entry in the export markets proves competitiveness of Russian vehicles and their conformance to the highest international standards. I am sure that this project will form a basis for a long term cooperation in the auto industry between the two countries."
Mr Aleksey Rakhmanov deputy minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation that "Turkish companies are actively entering the Russian market with their investment projects. And now it's time for the product trusted by millions of Russians to enter the Turkish market in its new capacity. I am pleased to note that GAZ Group's production in Turkey is starting with a certain share of local components. Sakarya province is called the Turkish Detroit: the largest international automotive brands have their facilities in Sakarya. And GAZ Group also has big prospects here."
