The first model of “GÜNSEL”, which was developed as a result of many years of studies by the Near East University R&D teams and the Automotive Engineering Department and of which the prototype production was completed in 2016, will be introduced on February 20, 2020.
It has been reported in the press statement released by the Press and Public Relations Directorate of Near East University that GÜNSEL Model 1, the first domestic car, which is a project developed and chaired by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Near East University, Prof. Dr. İrfan S. Günsel, and which has been produced with local resources from its design to engineering, will be introduced with an organization to be held at the Elexus Hotel on Thursday, February 20, 2020.
Mass production of Model 1, which has been designed by 109 engineers working over 1.2 million hours and more than 10 thousand parts, many of which have been developed by the engineers working for the project, is expected to start in 2021. Starting with the new generation, elegant and efficient motto, “GÜNSEL” will be produced in the automobile factory located on the campus of Near East University and the construction of which has been completed. The project, which will add great value to the economy with the automotive sector newly established in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, will produce 200 vehicles in 2020. Mass production capacity, which will start with 2 thousand vehicles annually in 2021, is planned to reach 20 thousand vehicles annually in 2025.
“GÜNSEL” Production Facilities Completed…
“GÜNSEL” production facilities with a total area of 250 thousand square meters and an indoor area of 30 thousand square meters, which gather all the automotive processes from design to R&D, from production to marketing with an innovative structure and of which foundations were laid in December 2016, has been completed. By the end of 2020, the size of the factory will reach 100 thousand square meters.
Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel: “We are excited to realize a dream, we will witness a historical moment …”
Expressing that the journey of producing cars with own resources in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus started with a great dream, Near East University Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel pointed out that the Near East Family and Günsel Family have always made all their investments in their 41-year history in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and now they have the happiness and excitement of the dream of producing cars with intense labor, high faith, perseverance, and desire. Expressing their pride that they will produce cars in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel stated that it is a state engagement to come to the point of designing and producing “GÜNSEL” after years of work with a large team.
“When we hit the road, we only had a dream lasted 50 years and the belief that we had the capacity of Near East University to produce science.” Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel stated that “GÜNSEL”, which has the marks of young Turkish engineers from design to engineering, is now ready to go. Prof. Dr. Irfan Günseli, “We are very honored and pleased to sign a project will pass into the history of not only of the TRNC and Turkey but in the history of the world and will be regarded and appreciated a lot. “GÜNSEL”, which is the milestone of a journey that grounds on ideas born years ago and sprouted over the years and blended with perseverance and imagination, was created by hundreds of engineers spending 1.2 million hours of labor. For this, we signed agreements with over 800 automotive suppliers in 28 countries. Our country’s own production and the meeting of our people with a car that will be a marvel of technology is not only a dream but also a beautiful fact that it comes to life.”
Reminding that it is time to be on the road, “GÜNSEL” Model 1, of which model, brand and technical features were introduced in 2016, Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel emphasized that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will be among the countries that produce, develop and export cars from now on, with the production facilities they have established.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel in his remarks also stated that the production facilities of “GÜNSEL” will add a great economic power to our country, which also heralds a lot for the industry, economy, technological development and future of Cyprus, and thanked the engineers and the team who helped “GÜNSEL” come to life with their dedication, knowledge, creativity, and efforts.