GAZ Group has started assembly of Gazelle Next cargo van and combi van models in Turkey.
Key components for production come from Russia, supplemented by local content purchased in Turkey. The first vehicles will go on sale this autumn.
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The van version has load area plastic wall trim and a floor covering made of special waterproof and wear-resistant plywood.
The combi van transports up to seven people and 9.5 cubic metres of cargo and combines a truck and a minibus. The wide sliding door allows easy access to the rear. The rear seats fold and can be converted into sleeping accommodation. A Webasto preheater and a radio are standard.
The vehicles have Cummins ISF 2.8 engines developing 150hp and 330Nm torque.
A new plastic fuel tank holds 80 litres for long range.
Pavel Sereda, head of the GAZ Group affiliate in Turkey, said: "Start of production of the all-steel van is the third stage of development of our production site in Sakarya, after the start of production of Gazelle Business in 2012 and Gazelle Next in 2014. We plan to develop a dealer network, expand the line up of locally assembled vehicles and actively involve Turkish companies that will be able to make special vehicles based on ours."
Chingiz Yuksel, director GAZ assembly in Turkey, said: "We have upgraded and reconfigured the assembly equipment for the new body type."
