Twice, Brett and I flew to Italy inspecting the Tekne manufacturing plant in Ortona on the Italian East coast.

Here they were developing the Graelion based on the Iveco Daily 4x4. It had all the potential of a great vehicle, drop axles, impressive look, but the price ( potentially around A$200,000+) and the Italian backup quality steered us away.

This lead him to discussions with the Gaz company in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.

Gaz is one of Russia’s largest carmakers, and has a long history of trucks and military vehicles such as tanks, hovercraft, half-tracks and amphibians. Today it focuses mostly on trucks, and one of those is the Sadko, a medium truck which was first released in 1997 and seen service with several militaries.

COVID meant discussions were limited to numerous telephone and face time communications that eventuated in Gaz and AAV signing a commercial distribution contract. 

Gaz have been incredibly helpful in fulfilling our specific Australian requirements in as much as this is the very first commercial Gaz into the western markets. WOW !

However that was just the start.

Challengers were immense.

Firstly the import of such a vehicle was a true challenge

However after final government clearance approval and under dark of night Australia's first Russian truck was delivered to AAV4x4

Then followed serious and arduous compliance testing.

Fortunately the Gaz passed with flying colours and the eventual ARD approval meant we were finally on our way.

Part of the final process was the re-branding of the Sadko as TrackMaster for the Australian market.

I have to say the independent reports below confirm our initial gut feeling that we have chosen one exceptional vehicle and commercial success will follow.

Welcome Gaz Trackmaster:

https://www.trucksales.com.au/editorial/details/tough-russian-truck-for-work-or-play-131097/

https://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/editorial/details/russian-tough-truck-camper-coming-131094/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SN3PlALNXY

https://outbacktravelaustralia.com.au/buyers-guide-heavy-duty/gaz-trackmaster

http://rusautonews.com/2021/04/05/russian-gaz-trucks-have-entered-the-australian-market/

https://l2sfbc.com/what-russians-think-of-gaz/

Marketing Information:

1. 1.AAV4x4 New-Trackmaster-Gaz-By-AAV full brochure.pdf
   

Gaz have tested it now it is our turn....