Minsk Automobile Plant staged the Russian debut of its first light vehicles on the MAZ production line, according to the plant’s press service. The showcases in Moscow featured the MAZ-281040 minibus and the MAZ-365022 panel van.
The MAZ-281040 passenger minibus is designed for medium-length urban and suburban routes. It is offered in two interior layouts, accommodating either 9+1 or 15+1 passengers. The vehicle emphasizes flexible seating and efficient use of space to serve city networks, commuter corridors, and school or corporate shuttle services.
The second model, the MAZ-365022, is a sturdy all-metal van with a cargo compartment totaling 12 square meters. Its load capacity ranges from 760 to 1,150 kilograms depending on the configuration. This van is built to support a range of superstructures, from a ready-made goods carrier to an ambulance, enabling operators to tailor the vehicle to specific operational needs.
According to Portal Wroom, the innovations introduced by MAZ are essentially Chinese JAC Sunray commercial vehicles but with altered nameplates. Production on these vehicles is carried out at the Brestmash plant using Chinese kit assemblies.
The company stated that initiating sales of a new minibus line, particularly amid intensified activities within the import substitution program, will allow the Minsk Automobile Plant to access new market segments and strengthen the domestic brand position in the Russian market as a whole. This approach positions MAZ to broaden its footprint in the regional fleet sector while reinforcing the national manufacturing ecosystem in the CIS region.
Earlier, JAC introduced the Sunray minibus in Moscow. The model is anticipated to compete with local offerings such as the Gazelle vans from Nizhny Novgorod, creating additional competition in the light commercial vehicle segment and prompting operators to compare total cost of ownership, reliability, and service network across the two brands.