OREANDA-NEWS. May 08, 2013. Light commercial vehicle Sobol-Business GAZ-2752 has, for the second year, won the annual national award Vehicle of the year in Russia 2013 in the Light Van category. Last year Sobol became the first Russian vehicle to win this prestigious award.

Some 385 models competed for the title of ‘best of the best’ in 23 categories, with winners chosen by  voting online and with  electronic terminals.This year 1,369,941 people from all over Russia voted between  January 1 and  March 31, 2013. 

Commenting on the award, Bo Andersson, GAZ Group President and CEO, said:

”This recognition from customers who voted for Sobol is very important for us. Sobol is a very popular and best-selling vehicle. In big cities it is widely used by companies for cargo transportation and as a mobile service vehicle. In towns and the countryside it often becomes a family vehicle. In addition to the Start of Production of our totally new model, GAZelle NEXT, we continue to develop the GAZelle Business and Sobol Business product portfolios. Specifically,  in the coming  months we will present  part-time AWD versions.”

From 2010 till 2012, GAZelle and Sobol LCVs have been significantly modernized. The first phase involved replacing  some units and renovating main systems while launching the BUSINESS modification. The second phase saw an extension of the powertrain product portfolio, installation of diesel and bifuel engines. The third modernization featured greater body anti-corrosion protection, part zinc-coating, increased primer coating width, use of special PVC pastes, anti-corrosion and anti-gravel protective coating for external and internal vehicle surfaces. A further  package of options made the vehicle more comfortable for both  driver and  passenger (AC, new radio, fog lights, electric wind lifter and electric controls of m mirrors) and increased drivability (ABS).