MAZ shows class

The President’s order has been fulfilled: a new bus production facility has been launched in Belarus

The construction of a new bus factory production building has been completed at the Minsk Automobile Plant [MAZ] and the industrial production of passenger vehicles has started. This is an important stage in the implementation of a large-scale innovative project to increase the production of passenger vehicles. Up to 3,000 buses will be able to roll off the MAZ assembly line every year. The implementation of the project became possible with the support of the Head of State.

Third-generation MAZ 303047 bus

New milestone in history

The production of city buses at MAZ began back in 1992. It was then that the domestic manufacturer, for the first time in the former USSR, released a passenger vehicle with a modern layout design. Not only the progressive technical solutions were impressive, but also the design. Back then, these buses became one of the calling cards of our capital city. Initially, production volumes did not exceed 500 vehicles per year. Many components and parts were manufactured in different workshops. Complex logistics made it impossible to quickly increase capacity. In addition, the needs of the domestic market did not require the production of a larger quantity. Over time, neighbouring countries started to show interest in Belarusian machinery. Understandably so: high quality at an affordable price always generates good demand. By 2023, MAZ was already producing 1,800 units of passenger transport equipment, and the existing production areas were clearly insufficient for such scales. It was then that the question arose of building a full-fledged factory within the enterprise. The idea was supported at the highest level.
“Preserving our giants was my main task. When I was still a very young President, I promised myself to preserve everything that had been developed by previous generations before us. You, those who are older, remember: we started an epic with you. MAZ, BELAZ, lifts in Mogilev, INTEGRAL JSC, which is in great demand today, and all other enterprises — all of them had to be saved. Frankly speaking, when I see a MAZ car, our bus, trolleybus, it is a source of pride. I am happy that we have preserved our country as a machine-building power,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko during a conversation with the work collective of the Minsk Automobile Plant on January 21st, 2025.
As early as 2023, MAZ commenced the implementation of an innovative project to build a new bus factory. “On behalf of the thousands of employees, I would like to express our gratitude to the President for the decision to build the bus factory building. A production capacity of 3,000 units of passenger transport — that is a significant economic impact and, of course, new jobs,” emphasised Valery Ivankovich, General Director at the Minsk Automobile Plant. “In April, we already assembled 12 units of machinery in the new premises, and in May we are planning 50. Moreover, the buses will be of various formats and classes.”
The new production site was built from scratch in a year and a half. It will employ 1,223 people. The aim is to reach 100 percent capacity utilisation of this production complex by 2026. The total area of the new building’s production workshops is 40,416 square metres. Three autonomous lines have been created here, along with diagnostic, adjustment, and bus delivery bays, and a specialised welding, blank preparation, and machining workshop has been set up. The total investment costs are over Br300 million.

  

New production building at MAZ. In the right photo: Mechanical assembly fitters Andrei Sidralenok and Oleg Shchukin  

In line with state-of-the-art technology

Importantly, the entire technological process of bus production is housed under one roof — from the first element cut to the finished bus. There are three preparation lines, and they can simultaneously handle three types of buses at once.
The production process itself is organised according to advanced standards. The elements of the future bus frame are welded in the frame welding area; the frame is then moved to a straightening and priming chamber. The next area is axle installation, after which the power unit is fitted.
Next comes the cladding of the frame, then the future bus enters a void filling and paint preparation chamber. The paint chamber is manned and equipped with automation. Here, the frame is painted and dried. “Overall, we have at our disposal a huge painting complex, equipped with state-of-the-art technology,” noted Tatiana Shalay, senior foreman of the painting area. “It has a good cleaning system, plenty of light, and the painting and drying process itself is optimised. Today we can paint up to six buses at the same time, whereas before we could only do one.”
After painting and drying, the frame is transferred to the exterior and interior assembly area, where the floor and linoleum are installed and laid, the windows are glued in, and handrails and doors are fitted. The assembled bus is then handed over to the sales department. “The technological effectiveness of the assembly and the ability to apply flexible production approaches allow us to solve any economic and technical tasks. This attests to Belarus’ technological sovereignty in terms of developing its own segment of passenger road transport,” underlined Valery Ivankovich, head of the plant. “The goal is to reach maximum production capacity from January 1st, 2026.”

New generation

Two workshops, created at new production facilities, began producing industrial output on April 1st, 2025. The first unit of passenger transport — a third-generation MAZ 303047 bus — was produced at the new complex. It completed the full production and technological cycle at the new site. Until 2027, the new building will assemble second and third-generation buses. From January 2027, a full transition to the production of third-generation buses will be carried out.
The significance of the new production facility cannot be overstated. It allows the plant to fully satisfy the existing needs of Belarusian cities, as well as to considerably strengthen export potential. The project’s implementation will bolster external supplies through the production of sought-after models running on diesel, gas and electric drives, and will also improve efficiency. Added value per worker will range from €78,000 to €108,000.
Incidentally, the first MAZ 303047 bus will travel the roads of Mogilev Region. The machinery will be shipped to Mogilevoblavtotrans in the near future.
From 2027, MAZ will fully transition to the production of third-generation buses.

New generation MAZ tourist bus joins capital’s transport fleet

The passenger vehicle fleet of the capital’s enterprise, Minsktrans, has been expanded. One of the Minsk Automobile Plant’s latest products — a third-generation MAZ 350 tourist bus — has recently arrived at bus depot No. 5. It is modern, ultra-comfortable, with a total seating capacity of 61. The interior features a media system, a spacious refrigerator, a kitchen, and a bio toilet. The luggage compartment volume is 11.1 cubic metres.

By Vladislav Sychevich

Photos by Aleksandr Kulevsky