Kurgan Bus Plant LLC is once the world's largest manufacturer of small-class bonnet buses. Today, after a series of reorganizations and modernizations, the company specializes in producing hoodless suburban, intercity and urban middle-class models. An important area of activity is the assembly of school buses that meet strict safety standards.
Start
In 1953, the construction of a machine-building enterprise began in Kurgan, at which it was planned to manufacture military equipment and machinery. However, later the authorities considered that the production of public transport was more important for the country at this stage. After changing the profile of activity, the organization received the name Kurgan Bus Plant (KAVZ).
09/19/1958, the company was commissioned to organize the assembly of buses. The development of the Pavlovsky bus plant PAZ-651, which, in turn, was based on the elongated chassis of the GAZ-51 truck, was taken as the basic model. Modification of KAVZ-651 was carried out until 1971 in a variety of versions.
Easy to maintain and repair, reliable, with good cross-country ability, these working buses are widely used. Although the vehicles were mainly intended for the village, enterprises, shift workers and various organizations, they became familiar guests on the streets of small cities and megalopolises as public transport.
KAVZ-865
In 1971, the "old man" KAVZ-651 on the conveyor of the Kurgan Bus Plant was replaced by a new 21-seater model - KAVZ-865. It was based on the more progressive chassis of the Gorky Automobile Plant GAZ-53-40. It differed from its predecessor in a more spacious interior, improved design, increased drag, reliability and an increase in the interval between repairs.
These buses can still be found on the roads of the country. Four-ton workers are able to accelerate to 90 km / h, but the recommended speed is 60 km / h. A significant drawback is the high fuel consumption (24 liters per 100 km). Among the obvious advantages is a heated cabin, equipped with soft comfortable passenger seats.
In 1975, the bus was restyled. In addition to minor technical changes, the appearance has slightly changed. In particular, the round rear brake lights and lights were replaced by rectangular ones. The model turned out to be very successful: in 1975 she was awarded the “Quality Mark”. Later (in 1986), the improved modifications were called KAVZ-3270.
Achievements
For the Kurgan Bus Plant, KAVZ-865 was significant. The bus of this brand has become the most massive in the history of the world automotive industry. Every year, the company produced tens of thousands of units. 1989 was the record year - this year, factory workers delivered 20,008 units of equipment to the country.
What is the popularity of the model? First of all, in the unification of the undercarriage with GAZ-53-40 trucks. Accordingly, there were no problems with the search and replacement of spare parts. An important factor was high traffic. In this connection, the main buyers were state farms, collective farms, shift services, and state enterprises.
KAVZ-3976
In 1989, the Gorky Automobile Plant changed its lineup. The place of the obsolete GAZ-53 on the conveyor was taken by the GAZ-3307/3309. Accordingly, the Kurgan bus plant had to develop a new chassis. In the same year, the factory workers introduced a more modern model KAVZ-3976. It was produced for almost 10 years.
The 21-seater bus was equipped with a 120/125-horsepower high-torque motor, corresponding to the Euro-2 class. There are various modifications:
- Passenger
- freight and passenger;
- sanitary;
- shift;
- avtozaki;
- hearse.
In market conditions
In 1993, after the reorganization of the enterprise into OJSC Kurgan Bus Plant, a successor appeared - KAVZ-39769. The model has an elongated chassis base (from 3.7 to 4.5 meters) and a noticeable increase in seating (from 21 to 28). There is a 32-seat modification KAVZ-39769, based on a 5.4-meter wheelbase. She became the prototype for a school bus with 34 seats. By the way, KAVZ was the first in Russia to receive a license for the manufacture of specialized school buses.
Unfortunately, the following years became difficult for the enterprise. Previously, the main buyers of buses were collective farms and state farms. After they disappeared, sales fell significantly. For some time, the plant still produced hood models for shifts, but in 2007 their production was curtailed.
Rebirth
By the early 2000s, the financial situation of the Kurgan bus plant was deplorable. In fact, KAVZ was bankrupt. In 2003, the company came under the control of the GAZ group of companies, which had a beneficial effect on production activities. The plant was modernized, the model range was updated. Instead of obsolete bonnet models, factory workers began to assemble modern mid-class bonnet buses of the Aurora series.
In 2011, instead of non-compliant engines, Cummins Euro-5 eco-standard motors were installed. To date, in terms of import substitution, foreign components are replaced by domestic ones. In particular, new power plants of the Yaroslavl Motor Plant are being tested.
Buses under the KAVZ brand can be found in different parts of Russia and the CIS. With pleasure they are bought in Latin America. Over the years, the company has produced more than 440,000 pieces of equipment, and this is not the end of its story.