OREANDA-NEWS. Kirovsky zavod acquired one of Germany's oldest manufacturer of city buses Goppel Bus GmbH. With this acquisition the Kirov Group intends to enter the market of vehicle production and continue its integration into the global economy.

Goppel Bus GmbH with its production sites in Nobitz/ Ehrenhain, state of Thuringia, is one of the leading traditional bus manufacturers in Europe. Annually the medium-sized enterprise assembles about 100 passenger vehicles including low-floor buses at the length between 8 and 12 meters as well as passenger trailers.

Beside ongoing production, Goppel's design center strives to develop innovative and energy-efficient products, such as the world's longest bus AutoTram Extra Grand. This 30.5-meter-long vehicle was designed specifically for BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) systems and can accommodate up to 300 passengers. It applies hybrid drive technology that corresponds with the concept of electro-mobility and energy-efficiency of the whole enterprise.

Since the 1980s Goppel has been manufacturing midi buses for MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG and supplying other clients in major cities in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Goppel's vehicles are also utilized in Italy, Slovenia, Poland, Scandinavia and the Bermuda islands.

Having faced near insolvency, Goppel is now integrated into the financially strong Kirov Group. The enterprise will maintain its current structure, entire personnel and continue to provide timely services and clever product solutions to its clients and partners.

"The acquisition of Goppel Bus GmbH will help ensure the sustainable development of this traditional European bus manufacturer," commented Georgy Semenenko, CEO of Kirovsky Zavod. As part of the Kirov Group, Goppel will continue to design and manufacture modern, environmentally-friendly and energy-efficient vehicles. In addition, Kirovsky Zavod intends to market Goppel buses in Russia and other countries of the Eastern Europe and the CIS.