On September 5, the Gorky Automobile Plant unveiled its latest concept delivery vehicle, the SDV 3.5, at the Comtrans trade show in Moscow. A correspondent for Izvestia reported on the event, highlighting the vehicle’s ambitious role in shaping urban logistics and last‑mile delivery. The SDV 3.5 is presented as a forward‑looking response to the rising demand for flexible, zero‑emission solutions in city freight, signaling the plant’s intent to align with modern e‑commerce ecosystems common to both Canada, the United States, and nearby markets. The unveiling is framed as a milestone in the plant’s ongoing exploration of compact, efficient, and scalable transport options for commercial operators.
The vehicle is powered by electric drive systems with motor outputs of 100 and 150 kW, respectively, enabling robust performance for urban routes. Estimated range is stated to be roughly 130–200 kilometers on a single charge, a figure that positions the SDV 3.5 as a plausible option for daily delivery cycles in metropolitan corridors. The powertrain is designed to support intensive city use, with quick acceleration and the ability to operate in dense traffic conditions typical of major Canadian and American markets. The design emphasis is on integrating with delivery ecosystems used by operators such as Ozone and Yandex.Market, reflecting how last‑mile fleets increasingly rely on seamless software–hardware interoperability to optimize route planning, load management, and real‑time tracking.
The SDV 3.5 is paired with the Gazelle NN electric van chassis, yet its architecture departs from a traditional bodied framework by omitting a rear axle and a standard full chassis. This configuration frees up interior space for cargo, while maintaining a compact footprint suited to curbside parking and narrow urban lanes. In practice, the vehicle’s mission profiles emphasize different service patterns than conventional vans, focusing on flexibility, modularity, and a plug‑and‑play approach to cargo handling. The concept demonstrates how electric delivery platforms can be adapted to varied urban tasks, from parcel distribution to temperature‑controlled shipments, without sacrificing maneuverability.
Though described as a concept, the SDV 3.5 is capable of moving under its own power, signaling credible progress toward a real‑world production pathway. The timing for entering mass production remains to be announced, illustrating a typical stage in which automakers evaluate supplier readiness, safety certifications, and regional regulatory alignment before committing to a full rollout. The pause between prototype demonstrations and manufacturing starts is often used to integrate feedback from potential customers and partners across different markets, ensuring the vehicle meets practical expectations for reliability and total cost of ownership.
Also announced at the event was a double‑cab GAZ Sobol NN 4 × 4, introduced as a sibling model to broaden the lineup for commercial operators. Mass production of the second‑generation Sobol NN 4×4 vans and pickup variants is scheduled to begin in December 2023, with buyers offered a choice between two engine families: a diesel 2.8‑liter unit and a gasoline 2.7‑liter option. The multi‑powertrain approach aims to address varying regional preferences, fuel prices, and maintenance considerations common to fleets operating in North America and its neighboring markets, where operators weigh reliability and total cost of ownership in selecting capable workhorse vehicles.
Earlier reports noted an armored vehicle built on the GAZ Sadko platform being showcased in Nizhny Novgorod, indicating a broader strategy to diversify the product family for specific applications that require enhanced protection or specialized configurations. This broader display underscores the plant’s intent to position itself as a flexible supplier for a range of commercial needs, from standard urban delivery to more specialized, mission‑critical roles in logistics networks across the region.