OREANDA-NEWS. May 14, 2010. The press day at Comtrans ‘2010 featured two Russian automotive premieres, both by SOLLERS: AWC systems for FIAT Ducato, and a brand new model, ISUZU NPR75. SOLLERS has its joint booth at No. 15B in Room 15 of the Crocus Expo Center, the venue of the auto show.

The breaking news from FIAT Professional was an All-Wheel Control system for FIAT Ducato, engineered for SOLLERS by the renowned French Dangel studio. Customers will be offered three 4WD options to choose from:

• a basic system where AWC can be activated or shut off: RUR239,000;

• a system with a locking rear differential: RUR264,000;

• a system with a locking rear differential and gear reducer transmission: RUR349,000.

Any of the systems will fit the new FIAT Ducato model irrespective of wheelbase length and body type.

The AWC and differential locking system are electronically controlled with buttons on the dashboard. Gear reduction is activated with a lever next to the driver. The new FIAT Ducato 4x4 comes with a much larger ground clearance (depending on body type: 18 cm to 21 cm under the front axle and 26 cm to 27.7 cm under the rear axle), a much enhanced off-roading capability and a much steadier ride in challenging weather and terrain conditions. The 4WD versions of FIAT Ducato will retail in Russia at some of the lowest prices among comparable imported car models.

The FIAT Professional booth also showcases the popular serial modifications of FIAT Ducato, of which there are more than 20, including the two standard vans with a long and short wheelbase, two minibuses with 18 and 14 seats, and the Roadmaster utility truck designed for use in road construction.

Speaking to the press, the CEO of SOLLERS-Elabuga Adil Shirinov said FIAT Ducato’s market share was up from 6% in 2009 to 9% in 1Q2010, when 1,787 cars were sold. The FIAT Ducato all-metal vans sell better than any other similar vehicles, Russian or imported, holding 45% of Russia’s LCV market. FIAT Ducato minibuses are the leader in their own segment with 17% of the market, and the hatchbacks are ahead of their imported rivals with 14%.

“The AWC system for FIAT Ducato is the project’s first premiere in 2010,” Mr. Shirinov said. “We are planning to expand the FIAT Ducato range at the end of the year by launching the serial manufacture of single and double-body chassis, which are a rage in the marketplace.” “We will keep doing business actively with our corporate clientele and government purchasing agents. Our current pipeline includes a second shipment for Mosgortrans (over 500 vans to be uses as shuttle taxis), over 100 armored vehicles for Sberbank and more than 110 automobiles for the Health Ministry, to be used for social purposes under its War Veterans program. I am positive that a larger FIAT Ducato model range, coupled with our aggressive marketing policy, will enable us to meet our annual sales target, which exceeds 15,000 cars.”

 The ISUZU NPR 75 medium-duty truck, representing a new level of excellence for the “N” family, is another novelty worth checking out at the SOLLERS joint booth. The truck comes with a brand new, ergonomically designed, extra safe cabin. The new dashboard provides the maximum information and is extra easy to read. The number of shelves and compartments in the cabin is amazing. The extra large windows and rear view mirrors provide maximum visibility in every direction. But the NPR 75 has retained all the good things from its predecessor: its attested safe design, its low maintenance costs, its universal frame that will support any body superstructure, and its high safety level. The new-generation ISUZU “N” series truck is scheduled to go into serial manufacture at the SOLLERS-ISUZU Elabuga factory in 2011.

The ISUZU booth also showcases the mass market modifications of some of Russia’s favorite Japanese trucks: the first-generation medium-tonnage NQR 75P, the low-tonnage NLR 85, and the heavy-duty chassis CYZ51.

Aleksander Izmailov, Deputy CEO of the SOLLERS-ISUZU joint venture, said the JV did not just emerge relatively unscathed from the financial turmoil of 2009, but had managed to gain market ground in some segments. The ISUZU NQR75 remained the best selling five-ton truck in Russia throughout 2009 and in the 1st quarter of 2010. 523 trucks were sold in 1Q2010, winning 6% of the market for ISUZU. 468 of that number were NQR75 trucks, which control over 1/3 of their niche: 37%.

“The groundwork for this success was built in 2009, when we joined forces with some banks, our dealerships and lease brokers to roll out a new customer loyalty program with better credit and lease terms,” explained Mr. Izmailov. “The program was designed to go extra easy on those of our customers who were facing temporary financial difficulties. At the same time, our corporate and government supply contracts revved up: we shipped 411 cars under those in 2009 to customers like the Interior Ministry, Defense Ministry, Internal Revenue Service and some major construction, oil and road building companies. We expect an even higher demand for our trucks in 2010. I am proud to announce that this year, we will be resuming truck manufacturing at our SOLLERS-Elabuga plant, which was suspended in 2009. Our target is to sell as many as 2,000 vehicles of all classes by the end of 2010.”