Presenting a wide range of execution options for the new Sollers SF5 van at the event, the manufacturer shared the company's plans for the near future. They are quite interesting, so we will share them without reservation.
Let's start, perhaps, with a topic that is on everyone's lips not figuratively, but literally – the product nomenclature. As many have probably already understood, the initially chosen practice of naming models with individual words, specifically proper names from ancient mythology, likely with an eye on former partners, has been replaced by alphanumeric coding. The first to fall was Atlant, which turned into the SF5. Its localization level reaches 83%, allowing the recycling fee to be fully compensated. Not many domestic brands can boast such achievements. But we will talk about this in more detail a little later, and for now, let's return to the names.
When the enterprise was relaunched in 2022, the goal was to start as quickly as possible to maximize factory utilization after Ford's departure. For this, the two most suitable models at the time were chosen, which became Atlant and Argo. Based on previous experience, the company assumed that two vehicles would be more than enough for systematic development and prosperity. But appetite, as they say, comes with eating.
Ambitions stirred by significantly increased technological freedom led to a vast expansion of the model range, which today includes commercial transport from several segments. Navigating this range is much easier for both the consumer and the manufacturer using properly formed alphanumeric codes that reflect the essence of a particular line, rather than just some words. Even if they are very beautiful, even the most ancient ones.
Thus, SF was born. However, the company does not explicitly state what this abbreviation stands for, preferring to maintain a meaningful intrigue and discuss variations: "Sollers Van," "Sollers Functional," and so on. As a result, one Atlant turned into an entire SF line, which already includes the "one" and the "five." Very soon, the SF7 will appear, and guess who is vying for the vacant third position? Correct, the first contender is the second founder of the company's modern production program, Argo. Thus, the entire commercial line will be embedded in SF.
Moving on. SP stands for "Sollers Passenger," which already includes the business van SP7, which the manufacturer also dubs "Sollers Premium." SA is undoubtedly "Sollers Buses." TR (medium-tonnage line) – "trucks" from Trucks. But with ST, there is a slight snag, since the word "pickups" starts with a different letter. But we all understand where the letter T comes from in the abbreviation, so let's not judge strictly and just get used to it. Especially since pickups are also partly "trucks," but different ones. Hence, ST.
With this model lineup, Sollers intends to storm the heights of the automotive Olympus (after all, Ancient Greece is unavoidable). According to plans, by 2027, the combined sales of the still-current Argo, SF5, SF1, and the nearly ready SF7 should exceed 20% of the market.
A major bet in this regard is placed on the launch of the "seven" this year. The segment it targets is small in itself – about 4,000 vehicles per year, of which on average 90% are buses and 10% are vans. But in the overall mass, it plays a certain role, so the "seven" has something to fight for.
It should go into series production at the beginning of the fourth quarter of this year. This will be, let us recall, a vehicle 7.5 meters long with a van capacity of about 18 cubic meters. The passenger capacity of the bus is 19+3 or 22+1. The powertrain base is familiar: a 2.7-liter 150-horsepower diesel HFC4DE1-1D paired with a 6-speed manual. An automatic transmission will appear after its localization in the first half of 2028.
Speaking of automatic transmissions. An important component of the planned ascent to Olympus is the localization of the gearbox. It is not yet entirely clear which unit will get it. Within Sollers' perimeter, as is known, there are two automatics: a 6-speed from Aisin, which is installed on the SF5, and an 8-speed, which comes with the ST9 pickup. It is mistakenly assumed that the latter is equipped with the ZF 8HP50. This is not entirely accurate. The automatic transmission from ZF from a Chinese factory is intended exclusively for the diesel modification of the pickup. And the gasoline engine on this model works in tandem with the creation of the little-known company Harbin Dongan Auto Engine (DAAE) – the A8R50.
This subsidiary of China Changan Automobile Group, formerly known as State Factory No. 120, was founded in 1948. Today, it is engaged in the production of engines and transmissions (manual and automatic), which include the aforementioned A8R50.
There is a version that this is a reimagined variation on the theme of the well-known "Hyundai" A8TR1 gearbox, which was created in cooperation with the same ZF (where would transmissions be without the Germans) based on the 8HP. It was used to equip such large and powerful Korean cars as the Hyundai Equus, Kia Mohave, the Genesis lineup, and other vehicles.
About the A8R50, it is known that it is a classic hydromechanical unit with a torque converter. The maximum digestible torque (as can be understood from the index) is 500 Nm, the overall nominal gear ratio range is 7.81, weight is 76 kg, dimensions are 648×394×382 mm. The gearbox supports advanced electronic functions and can be used in autonomous vehicles, hybrids, and cars equipped with start-stop and "smart parking."
But, of course, this is a more expensive and complex automatic transmission than the "six-speed." Although more progressive, and therefore more promising. It is these arguments that Sollers management is currently analyzing in all variations. Only one should remain, and who that will be is not yet determined. But it is assumed that already in 2028, the brand's vehicles (SF1, SF5, and SF7) will be equipped with a localized automatic transmission. Its production will be established either in Zavolzhye at ZMZ or at the Yelabuga Engine Plant – both sites are equally well prepared for such localization and have sufficient competencies to carry it out.
The process will proceed in stages, just as it happened with the 6-speed manual. First – screwdriver assembly, then local manufacturing of large housing parts, then a transition to the functional internals, again – from large to smaller. Currently, for example, for the same manual, the list of domestic parts includes a wide range of components down to the smallest gears. The same will be with the automatic, since it is objectively needed by the developing model range.
Among the further localization plans, it is worth highlighting the components and assemblies (some produced in-house, some provided by third-party suppliers) intended for the Sollers SF5. For 2026, the localization of Russian immobilizers and body electronics control units, bumpers, moldings and mirrors, springs, leaf springs and brake system tubes, fuel tanks and engine and transmission mounts, crankshafts, camshafts, pistons and pins, seat belts, steering wheel, airbags, and electronic control units is planned. In 2027, multimedia systems, the instrument cluster control unit and climate control instruments, the windshield wiper system, fuel line, radiator, and fuel pump tubes should be localized. By 2030, localized filters, rings, valves and seats, connecting rods and ICE seals, the exhaust system, fuel pump and turbocharger, subframe, driveshaft and wheel hub bearings, ABS and ESP control units, transmission ECU, wiring harnesses, instrument panel, door panels, and pillars are expected to appear.
As for all-wheel drive, there are still questions. It is not yet planned for the model. Technologically, this is quite complex, and the "cart" would need a radical modernization. Moreover, the prospects for such a modification are not very clear: all-wheel drive here is a very specific and far from the most demanded option. Perhaps in the future, when the lineup is supplemented with hybrid versions (there are no clear plans in this regard yet, but the logic of technological development and the vector of the Asian partner suggest they will appear), all-wheel drive as one of the options for distributing torque from the power plant in one form or another will gain an objective right to exist. But we are getting far ahead of ourselves.
For now, all-wheel drive is the prerogative of the UAZ Profi, which, by the way, is expecting an update in September-October using Sollers components used for pickups.
But Argo will remain the same. The vehicle sells well and enjoys stable demand in the professional community. From the perspective of what is available on the market in its price category, Sollers believes it does not require an update. Although it must be admitted that since the appearance of the "tadpole," the segment has expanded noticeably. Including due to more modern vehicles. And Argo, as in that song: "What you were, that's what you remained."
Among other interesting updates is the launch in a couple of months of the Sollers ST8 pickup with an automatic transmission. The vehicle will receive the powertrain base of its older brother ST9 and will cost from 3.17 million rubles. This will be the most affordable entry point into the segment of so-called "premium pickups" with an automatic transmission.
That, perhaps, is all that makes sense to tell about the expected new products, in anticipation of which Sollers is passing the equator of 2026. Now the main task is to implement what was planned as intended and receive adequate feedback from the market, which will live with these new products for many years to come.
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