The domestic car of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) “Gunsel” is waiting for its visitors at the EXPO 2020 Trade Fair of the Independent Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (MUSIAD).
“MUSIAD EXPO 2020 Trade Fair” started at Tuyap Fair and Congress Centre with the participation of Industry and Technology Minister Mustafa Varank. One of the most important subjects of the fair was Gunsel, the domestic car of the TRNC, which was developed by 160 Turkish engineers and designers with 1.2 million hours of labour within the Near East University.
Gunsel’s first launch outside of TRNC was in Turkey, at the fair. Test drives of the first model of Gunsel, B9, which is 100 percent electric, were also performed. The first prototypes of B9 were produced in yellow, blue and red colours, symbolizing the soil, sky and flag of TRNC. Gunsel model was exhibited at the fair with three B9 prototypes. The design concept of the second model J9 is also presented to automobile enthusiasts.
The battery, one of the most important parts of an electric car, was also on the stand. Information was given about the design and features of the battery designed by Gunsel engineers. According to the information received, Gunsel’s production capacity will start in the last quarter of 2021 and will reach 30 thousand units annually in 2025.
”The automobile of the Turkish world.”
Prof. Rd. Irfan Suat Gunsel, the board chairman of Gunsel stated that the car is the product of 10 years of work, 160 Turkish engineers and designers worked 1.2 million hours to bring Gunsel to today. Explaining that Gunsel can travel 350 kilometres on a single charge, it can reach 100 kilometres in 8 seconds. Rd. Gunsel said:
‘’ The design, engineering and software belong to us completely. Gunsel, produced in the Near East University in TRNC, is the car of the Turkish world.’’
Expressing that they participated in the fair with 3 vehicles, Gunsel stated that they had targets to start mass production in TRNC in the last quarter of 2021 and the construction of the second phase of the factory started.
Gunsel said:
‘’We are a B segment vehicle. First of all, we aim to keep electric vehicles in an accessible price policy. We are practically working to say ‘TRNC is also in the market.’, to deliver our Gunsel brand vehicles from the TRNC to the whole world. We aim to be the most economical of class B vehicles.’’
Emphasizing that they accept parts produced in both Turkey and the TRNC as domestic, Gunsel completed his words as follows:
‘’ We have a 70 percent indigenousness rate now; but it should not be forgotten that you should not increase the cost just because you will protect your indigenousness rate. In fact, we should stop asking how much it is indigenous. Turkish automobile is also indigenous and ours, hopefully we will see both as Turkish brands.’’
source: AA / translated by Melisa Karayusufoglu