Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan S. Günsel: “50 year dream has come true with GÜNSEL as a result of 8 year lasting work”
Date Added: 14 October 2016, 21:52
Last Updated Date:19 November 2020, 15:00

Near East University Board of Trustees Chairman Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan Günsel stated that TRNC’s first domestic car GÜNSEL, which had been introduced to media recently, would be on roads in 2017.

According to the press info released by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations Office of Near East University, participating in a TV program, NEU Board of Trustees Chairman Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan Günsel highlighted the significance of turning a 50 year dream into reality by producing TRNC’s first domestic car GÜNSEL as a result of 8 year lasting work of NEU Innovation and Information Technologies Center and R&D teams along with the Department of Automotive Engineering. “TRNC’s first domestic car will be on roads in 2017” said he.

Underlining that the automobile factories would be launched in TRNC within the shortest time, Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan Günsel stated that GÜNSEL would get the show on the road at last and pave the way for our society to be not only industrious but productive as well.

“As Near East Family, we believe that our people are very distinguished people living on a very special island and capable to go beyond the technological developments across the globe. However, we have to be a bit more stubborn like the mouflon, which has become the symbol of our island” said he.

Doç. Dr. İrfan S. GÜNSEL: “50 Yıllık Hayal, 8 Yıllık Çalışma Sonucunda “GÜNSEL”le Gerçek Oldu”

“We are proud and happy……”

On TV program, Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan Günsel delivered information regarding what sparked them to produce automobiles in TRNC. “In his childhood, my father, namely Dr. Suat Günsel, NEU Founding Rector, used to make hundreds of cars of different model out of clay. He had a great curiosity in cars. I think this curiosity has hereditarily transmitted to me, in fact to us as his children. At his younger ages, my father always dreamed to establish an automotive factory and his fancy became almost an ambition during his high school years, he steadily thought about establishing the factory and producing cars in our country. My father’s childhood dream has sparked us to take concrete steps to make this 50 year dream true. Now, we feel the proud and happiness of producing GÜNSEL, TRNC’s first domestic car. Our car was very well received and we received very satisfactory comments during the introductory press meeting. We aim mass production and our cars will be on roads within the shortest time” said he.

The interconnected electricity system between Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will reduce the costs…

Touching upon the technical specifications of TRNC’s first domestic automobile, Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan Günsel highlighted the significance of the project regarding the construction of the interconnected system between Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus via undersea electricity cable. “Upon completion of the project, the electric energy will be much cheaper and by time the prices will reduce up to 1/3 of present prices. Our electric car is very energy efficient and per 100 km range currently costs 4.9 Turkish Lira. When electric energy prices fall as projected, this cost will correspond to 1.5-2.00 Turkish Lira for per 100 km. Compared to automobiles that run on fuel, our car stands out as an automobile capable to achieve over 80% energy savings with zero tailpipe emission. This is a great deal to be considered. Considering the latest developments on automobile technology that focused on producing cars running with conservation electric power, as Near East University, we have produced GÜNSEL which possesses outstanding technical features that go beyond the latest technologies across the world. When we begin mass production, it will definitely add value to our country’s economy. Mankind experienced Copper Age just not because of running out of stone. Stone Age came to an end because mankind experienced developments and modernized with the times and stepped into a new age. Just like that, electric cars will be the latest destination of automobile industry as technology develops and electricity becomes much more efficient; not because the world is out of fuel. Of course, conservation of environment and productivity is a must” said he.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. İ. Günsel: For the design of the car, we have inspired from mouflon, the symbol of Cyprus. Aggressive but elegant. Our car reflects its characteristics….”

“While designing the car, we inspired from mouflon, which has become the symbol of Cyprus. Mouflon is a wild and stubborn sheep found only in Cyprus fauna. Mouflon likes heights and lives on high mountains. It is elegant but it has a muscular body with an aggressive character. We have reflected the characteristics of this sheep in GÜNSEL. It is innovative and energy efficient. It runs on electric energy and most importantly, it is domestic; an inland product.” said he.

“GÜNSEL will be subsistence for many people….”

“It’s clear that an automobile factory aiming mass production and export will pave the way for automotive supply industry in our country. When we start to manufacture the car, new employment opportunities will emerge in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Upon completion of the automotive factory many people can find job opportunities not only in the factory but also at automotive supply industry facilities to be established concurrently. An automotive supply industry facility engaged in supplying parts such as steering wheel, steering shaft, joint rot or door check strap will not confine itself just for GÜNSEL. May be, in future, this facility will be producing parts for a German made car. It is said that minimum forty countries involve in supplying constituent parts of a vehicle to be produced. This subsidiary industry, namely the automotive supply industry, which will be emerged in our country upon the production of GÜNSEL, is likely to produce automobile parts for other foreign trade marks and export them by time. This will contribute to our country’s economy and make Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus known across the world as a country that manufactures, develops and exports automotive technologies” said he.

Sports and saloon cars that powered by electricity will be produced…

Upon a question at the TV program, Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan Günsel underlined that they focused on mass production of model 1 of GÜNSEL. “We will produce sports and saloon models powered by electricity. We want to launch a ritual and not to use black color for GÜNSEL. Apart from black, we will use all other colors” said he.

Super charging station has been designed for GÜNSEL

Stating that a super charging station had been designed for GÜNSEL, Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan Günsel delivered information regarding the charging options. “GÜNSEL can be charged at home. It can be plugged straight into a normal three-prong wall outlet using a special charging cord. The estimate charging time is about 7 hours. It can be charged at standard charging station nets to be established across the country. The estimate charging time at the stations will be approximately two hours. If a faster charge is needed for longer ranges, the car can be charged at super charging stations to be established for GÜNSEL across the country. The estimated charging time is only 30 minutes for 350 km range. This charging period corresponds to a period required for a coffee break or for a snack” said he

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Günsel: “Our vehicle has been well received swiftly, orders have already been received”

Upon the question “It’s a bit challenging to change our habits as a society, how will this domestic electric vehicle be received, what do you think”, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Günsel highlighted that the vehicle had already been well received. Kaner Corporate Group wants to replace all their vehicles with GÜNSEL following its first production. GÜNSEL with its energy efficient, environmentally friendly and comfortable structurewill bring quality into your life” said he.