GAZ Group announces $2.0 Billion Investment

Up to 90 per cent of current GAZ Group products to be renewed On the opening day of the European Road Transport Show, in Amsterdam, GAZ Group has announced a $2.0 billion investment programme that’s set to spearhead further growth for the rapidly expanding automotive specialist.

Erik Eberhardson, Head of the Automobile Division of Russian Machines, GAZ Group’s parent company, announced the multi billion US dollar investment programme, which is part of an ambitious four year plan. Mr Eberhardson outlined the plan at an international press conference.

In addition to the renewal of up to 90 per cent of the current range of GAZ Group products, there will also be a new powertrain and the consolidation of research and development resources into a Unified Engineering Centre.

Speaking at the event, Mr Eberhardson said:
“We have grown our revenues by over 30 per cent in each of the last five years and our plan is to continue at this level through the medium term. Our investment plans reflect our determination to be one of the global players in the international commercial vehicle market.”

Global presence will be achieved through acquisitions, partnerships and strategic alliances and to illustrate this point Mr Eberhardson cited the recent stake holding in the Canadian automotive parts maker, Magna International, the partnership with AVL List GmbH (Austria) in developing a new medium sized diesel engine and the acquisition of LDV Group in 2006.
“We are at the start of a long and exciting programme which will see GAZ Group grow on the world stage, competing effectively with the very best in our industry,”

Tommy Walsh gives New MAXUS Chassis Cab Range firm foundations

Tommy Walsh, a British icon of the building trade, has given LDV's new MAXUS chassis cab range his seal of approval by officially launching the new range on behalf of the van maker.
As part of the launch of the MAXUS chassis cab range, Tommy visited building materials supplier Buildbase, which is giving away one of the vehicles in a national competition.

LDV's new MAXUS chassis cab range is available with a dropside, tipper or Luton body and has a choice of two wheelbases and three engine variants up to 135PS. The vehicles are ideal for a large variety of building and trade professionals, with a maximum payload of up to 1850kg.
Tommy Walsh first found fame on BBC's Ground Force programme and is now a respected television presenter in his own right, fronting shows including Space Invaders, Trading Places and a series of DIY shows for Discovery. He also has his own landscaping business in Hackney.

Speaking at the launch, Tommy said:
"The new MAXUS chassis cab range is a great tool for all trades. There's plenty of choice within the range and once behind the wheel you've got practicality mixed with comfort inside. LDV's MAXUS range will definitely meet the needs of many businesses across the UK."

Matt Dunnakey, LDV's marketing operations manager, demonstrated the new range to Tommy. Matt said:
"It's fantastic to get the support of Tommy for our launch. Tommy is renowned across the UK for his hard work ethic and is an ideal person to launch our own hard working chassis cab range."

LDV is offering people the chance to win a brand new MAXUS chassis cab.

Vouchers are available for the competition in Buildbase and Plumbase's customer magazine.
For further information on the range visit http://www.ldv.com/

LDV assists The AA to launch new service

Motorists who inadvertently fill their vehicles with the wrong fuel can now call upon the new AA Fuel Assist service launched by the UK’s biggest breakdown provider. Its specialist, dedicated fleet includes 13 liveried MAXUS vehicles, supplied by light commercial specialist, LDV.
The 3.2 tonne short wheel based MAXUS vehicles will support the new roadside assistance initiative which has been developed to minimise the potentially costly repairs and damage that misfuelling can have on customers’ vehicles.

LDV worked in partnership with Whale, specialists in waste tankers, and Sortimo, interior racking specialists, to produce a vehicle that was both functional and met the stringent safety standards required of vehicles transporting flammable fuel.

The MAXUS fleet required a bespoke design capable of carrying the 330 litre fuel tank, two electric pumps and earthing reels required to safely drain customers’ vehicles, all of which were undertaken by Whale Tankers.

Speaking of the new initiative Donald MacSporran, Technical Performance Manager for the AA said:
“Our research showed that there were 150,000 motorists last year who experienced the inconvenience and expense of having their vehicle’s fuel drained and this encouraged us to develop this new service for the public. As the UK’s number one breakdown service it is paramount that we use a fleet that is reliable and fit of the purpose. We were very pleased with the quick, flexible and professional service that LDV provided to help us meet our deadlines."

Carolyn Wall, LDV Fleet manager added:
“The MAXUS van is a solid vehicle which continues to win many national awards. Our partnership with the AA, Whale and Sortimo demonstrates the flexibility of the range to meet businesses’ requirements."

GAZ GROUP unveils new concept vehicle

GAZ Group has unveiled its new concept vehicle on the first day of the European Road Transport Show in Amsterdam. MAXUS MX100 is designed in conjunction with leading automotive styling and engineering company UltraMotive and is based on the tried and tested GAZ Group Valday chassis.

The commercial vehicle has been developed as part of a study to evaluate the opportunities for developing a MAXUS commercial vehicle of up to 7.5 tonnes for the European market. Launching the new MAXUS MX100, Martin Leach, Head of Light Commercial Vehicles, GAZ Group, said:
“We have ambitious growth plans for the MAXUS product range in Europe and firmly believe that this includes looking beyond our current weight range of 2.8 to 3.9 tonnes. The platform for the MX100 is from the durability proven Valday, a vehicle that has for many years operated under some of the toughest conditions in the world. This is one of a number of projects that we are working on and we are looking forward to exhibition visitors’ comments and reactions to assist us in developing the product itself and the distribution strategy.”

Together, GAZ Group and UltraMotive have created an exterior façade and stylish interior design based on the existing award-winning MAXUS product range which is manufactured in the UK.

Target specifications for the new MAXUS MX100 include:
• Euro 5 compliant 3.0L diesel engine
• Power output 150PS
• Torque 350 Nm
• Payload over 4 tonnes