Феа KARSAN EUROPE INTRODUCES ITS INNOVATIVE MINIBUS AND MIDIBUS MODELS; JEST, ATAK & STAR IN SPAIN
Karsan Europe, a wholly owned subsidiary of Turkish automotive manufacturer Karsan; exhibits JEST, ATAK and STAR in the Spanish market for the first time.
Karsan Europe, the European subsidiary of globally-acclaimed automotive manufacturer Karsan, is introducing their minibus and midibus models to the Spanish market in a private exhibition from June 6th to 10th, 2016.
Stating that Karsan products have already been presented in several European countries such as; France, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Romania and Baltics, Karsan Europe General Manager David Siviero expressed his pleasure in entering in the Spanish market with Karsan’s full product range. Siviero; “We are confident that the quality and performance of Karsan products will respond very well to the needs and expectations of the Spanish transportation entrepreneurs. Our vision is to provide ‘Limitless Transportation Solutions’ to the cities which are in the process of transforming their transportation solutions. Through this private exhibition, our aim is to raise the awareness and attract new customers in the Spanish market for Karsan-branded vehicles”.
Karsan’s Exclusive Dealer in Spain Pablo de la Fuente also said; “The Spanish market is looking for the type of transportation solutions Karsan is producing. As Karsan celebrates its 50th year in operation, our goal is to offer modern and contemporary product and service solutions for mass transportation. We offer an extensive product portfolio ranging from 6m to 18m vehicles, experience in the industry and high-quality production skills endorsed by the world giants such as Hyundai Motor Company and IIA, Karsan has stood as Turkey’s independent multi-branded vehicle manufacturer, and we look forward to bringing our quality products to the Spanish market as well”.
During the exhibition which will be held in Pinto and Madrid until June 10th, all three vehicles JEST, ATAK and STAR will be available for test drive.
A Low Floor, Economic and Eco-Friendly Option for its Owner: JEST
JEST is the first and smallest member of the line of public transportation vehicles that have been designed under the Karsan brand to meet global needs. Its low-floor and ramp eliminate all barriers. Its features have made it the municipalities’ first choice and JEST has become popular in 50 provinces around Turkey since May 2013 up until the present. JEST has become one of the public transportation sector’s most popular minibuses, and it won the “Good Design Award” in the Design Turkey Industrial Design Competition in December 2014. And recently JEST also won the “Special Jury Award” at the 12th Technology Award Ceremony held in İstanbul on the May 30th, 2016.
The Bus that Changed the Dynamics of the Sector: ATAK
Karsan’s 8-meter member of its public transportation family, ATAK, took its place at the fair with its Euro 6 powertrain with automatic transmission version. ATAK achieved a market share of 32% in 2015 in Turkey, its first year of production.
ATAK has a high passenger capacity, low-fuel consumption, a modern design, high maneuvering capability, and strong traction. It provides passengers with comfort thanks to its low floor, easy access, kneeling system, panoramic interior design and independent suspension system. Equipped with the latest technologies, Karsan ATAK, differentiates from its competitors and has quickly changed the dynamics of the sector.
Karsan’s Bus that Offers Superior Comfort: STAR
Karsan’s STAR, manufactured with actual bus technology, features unimpeded luggage space, a rear engine, and an independent suspension system that provides passengers and drivers the pleasure of superior comfort. The 8-meter STAR has a capacity of 31 passengers, wide and comfortable spaces in-between seats and the capability for different seating arrangements, and answers the needs of tourism, personnel and intercity transport. Allowing access from both sides of the vehicle, its 4.25 m3 spacious luggage area makes STAR a leader in its class.
All of these Karsan branded products – the JEST, ATAK and STAR – are being manufactured in the same modern Hasanağa Plant, located in Bursa, Turkey. It currently has a capacity to manufacture 18,200 vehicles in one shift. It is designed with the flexibility to manufacture all types of vehicles, ranging from automobiles to trucks and from minivans to buses, occupies a closed area of 85,000 and a total are of 200,000m2. Karsan has approximately 1,200 employees and an R&D staff of 250. Throughout its 50 years, Karsan has manufactured more than 275,000 vehicles.
Karsan in Brief
Established in 1966, Karsan Otomotiv Sanayii ve Ticaret A.Ş. operated under the umbrella of the Koç Group of Companies over the period 1979-1998, and in 1998, the company was incorporated into Kıraça Holding when İnan Kıraç acquired its majority shares. Since 1981, the company has operated as a commercial vehicle producer based on 100% locally-based equity. In line with the vision of “Limitless Transportation Solutions” that it embraced as of 2009, Karsan’s goals have been to develop and produce a wide range of products, from passenger cars to buses, from minivans to heavy trucks. Today, the company produces H350 model panel vans, minibuses and chassis cabs of Hyundai Motor Company, as well as Menarinibus brand buses and Karsan JEST, KarsanATAK and Karsan STAR vehicles at its modern and versatile facilities in Bursa. The marketing, sales and after-sales services in Turkey related to these products are handled through Karsan Pazarlama. Karsan moved up from 151st rank to 93rd rank among “Turkey’s Largest 500 Industrial Enterprises” in the 2013 survey of the Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO). Karsan ranked 44th among 100 brands in the “Turkey’s Most Valuable Brands” survey conducted by Brand Finance, an international brand valuation company. Karsan’s shares are publicly traded on the Istanbul Stock Exchange and as of the year-end, its actual share of stocks in circulation according to the records of the Central Registry Agency (MKK) has been 35%.
Karsan Europe in brief;
Karsan Italy S.r.L was founded in Turin, Italy on December 12th, 2014, as a company wholly owned by Karsan. The Company’s corporate title was changed to Karsan Europe S.r.L. in October 2015. The Company has a capital of 300 thousand Euros. It was founded with the aim of increasing the export potential of Karsan, the company engages in marketing, sales and after-sales activities of Karsan’s JEST, ATAK and STAR brands.
