Riga Autobus Factory, which formerly manufactured minibuses for the whole USSR, remained in Latvia, and now required its vehicles be sold to the now-foreign Russian market for hard currency.

In August 1993 the GAZelle was presented at a motor show in Moscow, production started in July[6] or at the end of 1994[7] in Nizhny Novgorod.

Apart from the CIS countries and Central and Eastern Europe, GAZelles are exported to Asian and African markets, including Morocco[8] and the Philippines.

[11] In 2013 GAZ started serial production of the new generation GAZelle NEXT light commercial vehicle that features freighter, van, minibus and other versions of different sizes.

[12][13] 1996 – Started production of minibuses 1998 – Started production of scaled-down version called Sobol[citation needed] 2004 – ABS introduced 2006 – side repeaters turning lights moved from the front wings to the side mirrors, which were painted body color Engine UMZ – 4216 (fresh family car commercial - UMZ - 4216.10 ) got a new injection control program, whereby the maximum torque (220.5 Nm) is achieved at fairly low (for a gasoline engine) 2500 rpm.

The family of " GAZelle Business " engine mountings were introduced Anvis Group, radiator with aluminum core TRM, Bosch electrical components and Brisk spark plugs.

Currently the Gazelle-Business can be ordered with a rear differential lock, ABS braking system, "de luxe" instrument panel, and the "Package" option that includes fog lights, electroproof mirrors, front electric windows, dashboard "de luxe" (radio control buttons on the steering wheel and audio package) and central locking of the front doors.