GAZ Group, a member of Basic Element and one of Russia’s largest, most diversified industrial groups, has won three out of five awards of the Best Russian Commercial Vehicle 2015. The GAZon Next became the Truck of the Year, and GAZelle Next panel van got the special award for Successful Win of the Russian Market. Results of the most prestigious commercial vehicle competition were concluded at Comtrans 2015 International Specialised Automobile Saloon on 8-12 September 2015.
GAZ Group has won three out of five awards of the Best Russian Commercial Vehicle 2015. Journalists of automobile magazines were members of the competition judges. The main criteria was contribution of a vehicle or bus into cargo and passenger efficiency. GAZon Next MDT became a most sellable Russian vehicle a year after SOP and received the award The Truck of the Year. The vehicle became popular among customers and was highly appreciated by experts. GAZon Next took the first place for the Best Commercial Vehicle of the Year (2015), taking nearly twice as many points as its second-place competitor (55 vs. 28 points).
GAZon Next is a new MDT made by GAZ Plant since September 2014. The GVW is 8.7 t, and the payload is 5 t. It is equipped with integral steering system, pneumatic disk brakes, new front and rear suspension, reinforced transmission and gearbox with increased torque of 490 Nm. It has the most modern Russian diesel engine (YaMZ-534). The vehicle has excellent steering capability, outstanding visibility and high active safety.
GAZelle Next panel van took the first place for Prospect of the Year. This novelty allowed GAZ Group to enter the segment of vans with body capacity of over 13 m3 for the first time, previously, this segment was occupied by foreign OEM’s only. Another advantage of the vehicle is increased functionality: 270-degree rear door opening, a special compartment for long cargo transportation, water and wear resistant coating of cargo compartment floor and walls. The cab and body of the new van are made of galvanized steel to assure high corrosion resistance.
GAZ Plant took a special award for Successful Win of the Russian Market and quick model range development.
Vadim Sorokin, GAZ Group President: “GAZ Group exhibited 7 new Next generation vehicle and bus models at Comtrans’2015. Probably, Russian commercial vehicle manufacturers have never upgraded their model ranges within such a short period of time. New Next generation vehicles with perfect customer values, high reliabilities and excellent ergonomics will allow the company not only strengthen its positions in Russia but also actively develop export.”
