OREANDA-NEWS. November 29, 2007. It’s just one year since GAZ Group purchased UK-based light commercial vehicle manufacturer LDV Group and its product range MAXUS. In those short 12 months production volumes have more than doubled, sales in the UK have grown by more than 50 per cent, productivity at the UK factory has risen by 60 per cent and the range has been expanded beyond all expectations.
 
Martin Leach, GAZ International’s Chairman, says the company is now turning its attentions to European markets. "We have achieved a massive amount in only 12 months, but be assured, this is only the beginning. We already have 70 new dealers across Europe including Spain, France, Belgium and Holland and will progress to 116 dealerships by the end of 2007. Expansion into Portugal, Germany and Italy is planned for 2008.
 
"2009 will see MAXUS production begin in Russia which we are expecting to grow the business by 50,000 units per annum. The vehicles built at this manufacturing site will be solely for the purpose of the Russian and CIS markets, with the European market being supplied via our LDV Group factory in the UK."
 
Awards for the company continue to roll in, with honours including LCV manufacturer of the year and UK company of the year. The MAXUS range is also short-listed for the 2.8 tonne to 3.5 tonne category of The International Van of the Year 2008 award.
 
Martin Leach believes the future for MAXUS is extremely positive: "We have greater potential than ever before to extend our product range and the markets we sell to. We have a huge product range, with more to come, including a new concept vehicle, MX100 on the horizon. The whole team is determined to succeed in our globalisation programme."