Russian vehicle maker GAZ launches new GAZon NEXT medium truck

[kscarbel2]

Press Release / September 19, 2014

The result of a US$60 million investment, GAZ Group’s commercial vehicle unit has introduced the all-new GAZon Next medium truck series. It will be produced at the Gorky truck plant.

The design of GAZon NEXT combines state-of-the-art engineering solutions, superior driver ergonomics and both active and passive safety features complimented with a 3-year/150,000 kilometer warranty, low maintenance costs, high fuel efficiency and the best-in-class pricing.

GAZon NEXT is built using systems and components from leading global suppliers including ZF steering and clutches, Tenneco shock absorbers, Wabco brake systems, Takata safety systems and Delphi HVAC.

The truck is powered by a high-output and fuel-efficient GAZ model 4.4-liter YMZ-534 diesel engine rated at 137 horsepower, or a 3.8-liter Cummins ISF rated at 152 horsepower.

The urban and standard spec variants of GAZon NEXT are differentiated by wheel size and loading height. The urban truck's low profile platform allows for faster and easier loading/offloading, while the standard truck's higher road clearance enhances its on-off road capability.

GAZon NEXThas a payload capacity of 5 tons (11,000 lb). Due to increased length and width of the cargo platform and use of higher canopy, the load area has grown by 20%, and loading volume (under canopy) by 42%. Broader cargo platform can hold 9 (standard wheelbase) or 12 (long-wheelbase) standard cargo pallets in one layer versus 6/10 pallets in older model range trucks.

The 4-door crew cab variant of the GAZon NEXT features 7-person seating, while the standard cab can accommodate 3 people.

FYI: Henry Ford had made a name for himself in Russia with the introduction of the Fordson tractor there. Introduced in 1926, the Fordson tractor helped to quickly modernize the Soviet Union’s agricultural methods.

Although Ford had refused an offer to build a Fordson tractor plant in the Soviet Union, he did agree in 1929 to form a joint venture car and light truck plant.

The Soviet Union agreed to purchase $13 million worth of automobiles (72,000 units) and parts, while Ford agreed to guide the construction of a plant (in the city of Nizhny Novgorod to Moscow’s east) with a 100,000 unit annual production capacity, and provide technical assistance until 1938.

The joint venture was called NAZ (Nizhegorodsky Avtomobilny Zavod) and utilized the Ford logo. Production of Ford Model A cars and Model AA light trucks began in 1932. A Model AAA 6x4 truck was produced from 1934.

In 1933, the joint venture’s name changed to GAZ (Gorkovsky Avtomobilny Zavod).

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[Red Horse]

Hmnn- looks like the Ruski's may have hacked into Ford's design center-this looks like what a new ford medium would look like with a

Transit glass house!

[kscarbel2]

Hmnn- looks like the Ruski's may have hacked into Ford's design center-this looks like what a new ford medium would look like with a Transit glass house!

Not so fast my friend. GAZ didn't copy anyone. In 2006, GAZ purchased the assets of troubled LDV, a UK-based van manufacturer. This gave GAZ the modern LDV Maxus van. That's the cab on their new medium truck.

LDV made a good van, but wasn't large or diversified enough to survive.

The GAZ Gazelle (LDV Maxus), Ford Transit, Mercedes-Benz Sprint, Fiat Ducato and particularly the Volkswagen Crafter all have unique styling themes. Come to the IAA commercial truck show and see them in person (Sept 25 - Oct 2).

[Red Horse]

Ops, pardon me-didn't mean to offend the Ruski's. I guess what I should have said is..If the Transit glass house was integrated with a 2016 F-750 it would look like this. And this by the way is where I think the 650-750 will ultimately go with some integration of Transit components.

In any case, thx for comment as I had no clue about LDV-never heard of them This also supports the Transit/650/750 integration that many of us on the medium truck forums at Blue Oval News have been "theorizing.".

I should have known that the Russian designers could not have come up with an appealing look on their own

[Vladislav]

Just a pleasure to read the topic of how well the things go by GAZ.

In the reality they always (at least last 70 years) had terrible level of quality, generally due to a low quality materials they used.

Wich were determined (earlier) by Soviet govnt. politics because there were more important things than building vehicles for the industry - the army and space.

Although those nowadays trucks and light trucks are doing lots of work all over the country having relatively low cost and easy to fix up design.

That newer style cab they introduced not long ago is in the production now, I have seen it down the road just today.

Thank you for posting news from my area.

[Red Horse]

Just a pleasure to read the topic of how well the things go by GAZ.

In the reality they always (at least last 70 years) had terrible level of quality, generally due to a low quality materials they used.

Wich were determined (earlier) by Soviet govnt. politics because there were more important things than building vehicles for the industry - the army and space.

Although those nowadays trucks and light trucks are doing lots of work all over the country having relatively low cost and easy to fix up design.

That newer style cab they introduced not long ago is in the production now, I have seen it down the road just today.

Thank you for posting news from my area.

Vlad- hope I did not offend you with my comment on Russian design-but as the only thing I ever seem to see are such trucks as the cab overs that were transporting relief supplies to Ukraine recently I hope you get where I'm coming from. These new mediums are good looking.

[Vladislav]

Don't worry about comments of Russian trucks. I'm not proud of the stuff the plants produced overhere. Hope they're trying their best along the bad economy conditions although there are wide troubles about the thing we call "a culture of production". I mean lots of specialists and workers who aren't skilled enough. It increases cost too much with no good quality. Taking to account high level of corruption over all authorities including production management we have what we do have.

As for me I too like many Russian vehicles of old ages but have not much want to restore any (with minor exceptions) due to their parts quality. Just not a stuff I enjoy to put my hands on.

By the word the trucks you have seen transporting suppies to Ukraine (political show on my mind) have their generic from Mack.

I was too surprized when kscarbel2 posted the story about that fact. They are branded KamAZ.