Turin-based Karsan-Italy will engage in the marketing, sales and aftersales activities for Karsan-branded vehicles in Western Europe.

Karsan, a prominent Turkish automotive manufacturer specialised in the creation, production and sales of urban and suburban transport vehicles, founded Karsan Italy S.R.L headquartered in Turin, Italy on 12 December 2014. David Siviero, who has senior management experience with international companies in marketing, sales and aftersales services, was appointed as General Manager to head the company. Karsan-Italy initially will provide marketing, sales and aftersales services for Karsan’s JEST, ATAK and STAR branded vehicles in the EU.

The 6 meter ‘JEST’, is a low floor mini bus which gives urban passangers large bus comfort, as well as an efficient, economic, ecological operation for the owner. It has been designed for ease of entry and exit, is wheelchair accesible and is the smallest most economic line bus type operation vehicle available designed for seated and standing passengers as well. The 8-meter low floor ‘ATAK’ is a larger version of JEST with a passenger capacity of 60 including standing. ‘STAR’, is the short-distance intercity transportation/shuttle bus version of ATAK, featuring a high floor, a large luggage space and accommodation for up to 29 seated passengers.

Commenting on the foundation of Karsan-Italy, General Manager David Siviero stated that “Our products stand out with their low-floor and ease-of-access for people with mobility handicaps. We believe that Karsan’s product range is well adapted for West European needs of urban/suburban transport. Historic city centers, towns with narrow streets, smaller towns and villages with less commuter transport needs, off hour service requirements needing lower capacity vehicles, are all well served by our range of vehicles, with minimum impact on the environment they are operating in and maximum ease of use or comfort being offered to passangers and operators.”

• The Karsan bus-‘family’ will be marketed from Italy. From left to right: the JEST low-floor urban minibus, in the middle its larger brother the ATAK and the STAR.