01.11.2007 | BUSWORLD BREAKS ALL RECORDS

There were a number of world exclusives, including the new Irisbus Megalys coach and the new heavy duty Citea bus from VDL Group.
Volvo won the INTERNATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR 2008 trophy with the 9700 coach and the Setra 415HD won the GRAND GOLD AWARD KORTRIJK 2007 and SPECIAL AWARD SAFETY INNOVATION (European Coach Week) They were widely acclaimed by the judges for their comfort, safety and ease of driving. Other participants ECW 2007 were: Van Hool T917 Astron (GRAND SILVER AWARD KORTRIJK 2007 and SPECIAL AWARD TOURISM EQUIPMENT); Neoplan City-liner HD (AWARD FOR AESTHETICS);
Lion’s Supreme Coach; Mercedes Integro; TEMSA Tourmalin Intercity 12;
FAST-MAN Syter; Scania / Irizar K310 IB 4X2 / i4H (AWARD FOR THE BEST MUTI-PURPOSE CAR); Aquablue; VDL Kusters Picardie MD0818;
BUSiness MB Sprinter (This year the jury did not award a prize for mini-cars. However, this mini-car got an HONOURABLE MENTION BECAUSE OF ITS AVAILABILITY FOR SIGHTSEEING-TOURISM, PARTICULARY REGARDING THE TOURGUIDEEQUIPMENT). Environmental matters were also on the agenda. Van Hool displayed a fuel cel bus that has been running for several months with De Lijn in Belgium. During the course of the exhibition there were several conferences discussing topics of interest to bus and coach manufacturers and operators. All were well attended and created lively debate. One of the most contentious issues was the new limits on drivers hours, which are having serious impact on coach operators. Many visitors wore badges of support, indicating that coaches are not equal to trucks. The next edition of Busworld Kortrijk will be held from 16 to 21 October 2009. Before that there will be other Busworld exhibitions in China, Turkey, Nigeria and India. Many exhibitors have already confirmed their plans to participate in these events. For further enquiries please log on to www.busworld.org or contact sonja.vandewiele@busworld.org

23.10.2007 | Whirling spectacle at Irisbus

Under the name of Fusion ailes we perform for all manner of occasions,
all across Europe , Tatiana and Stéphane explain. Circus shows, cabaret, gala events, salons,... is where you will usually find us. Our only requirement being that we need a room that is high enough for us to perform our act. Here, things are quite tight for example. Ideally we prefer to work with heights anywhere from eight to ten metres. This was the first time that the jazz duo and Fusion’ailes shared a stage. If it is up to us, we would certainly like to do more shows together, Stéphane, who is one half of the jazz duo, smiles. We have already discussed it, but no concrete plans as yet exist.” (JH)

21.10.2007 | Worldwide bus and coach industry facing major changes

Doug Jack set the tone, listing a range of issues which urgently need to be addressed. For one thing, he posited that the constantly growing world population needs good quality public transport and that fossil fuels are becoming increasingly more expensive which means there can be no question of the unbridled further expansion of private transport, which in turn is prompting new challenges for communal transport and the urgent need to find alternative fuels. He also observed that new emission restrictions are on their way, as well as even stricter regulations
for the construction and use of buses, requiring new materials to economise on weight and fuel. Erland Morelissen was quick to mirror Jack’s words, presenting the corporate outlook of his company. In the longer term, we will simply have no option but to heed the fact that
people will increasingly be living in mega conurbations, especially
in countries in full economic development. He went on to outline how Volvo is acting in response to meet the needs of tomorrow, amongst other things by conducting research into hybrid vehicles, the development of new engines, ... Mehmet Buldurgan in turned focused on the impact of globalisation in his native Turkey. Some of the findings Buldurgan put forward were that the challenge posed by Russian, Indian and Chinese bus and coach builders is only set to become more intense,
that globalisation is about access to markets and not just about low cost,
that we need to reflect on product diversification processes and above
all that Turkish constructors need to innovate if they mean to survive.
In a technology sense too, the challenges ahead are considerable:regulations improving safety and restricting emission levels and noise
nuisance are becoming stricter by the year, efforts need to be made to
find alternative fuels and we need to look into developing new materials.
As to the situation in India, Rajinder Malhan came to present a series of
interesting figures. In the short to mid term, India will be experiencing
a 7 to 9 percent economic growth, according to forecasts. For the
domestic bus market, Malhan saw a clear need for efforts to go into
intercity passenger transport in the short term, against the backdrop
of a constant and very fast-paced rise in the demand for buses on the home market. Above all, bus and coach builders need to address the issue of constantly spreading urbanisation. In conclusion, he went on to explain how a Bus Rapid Transit System, in which buses are used to implement rail transport methods, is perfectly suited to address his country’s needs. Jean-Pierre Geelen obviously looked at things from a very different angle and explained how his company is acting in response to the needs and requirements held out by the bus and coach industry. In doing so, he trained the spotlight on a number of designs purpose-developed byEnthoven Associates.

20.10.2007 | Busworld Global Day seminar huge succes

Today the workshop the Global Challenges Facing The World Bus & Coach Manufacturing Industry took place at Busworld Kortrijk with more than 70 participants. Eerybody was very interested and as foreseen the seminar was a big success with the partcipation of all continents.

19.10.2007 | 19th edition or Busworld Kortrijk

Busworld Kortrijk 2007 is now officially well and truly underway. At the official opening ceremony
of the 19th edition in Kortrijk, it was clear to everyone in the major function room that was packed to the rafters that this is set to be a memorable edition, one that is even more international in scope than ever before (if that is remotely possible). The attention of the VIPs was proportionate, both at the opening session and
during the concluding ceremonial tour of the salon. Traditionally, openings are events where homage is paid and speeches are made. Needless to say, today? formal opening ceremony was no exception. The European Coach Week trophies were awarded and a number of people who will be stepping aside in the near future were celebrated and showered with flowers for services rendered.
As such, Luc Glorieux was gifted a book and Guido Vlieghe (picture)was given a painting, followed by
minibus on the auspicious occasion of the centenary celebration of the salon\’s logo. In between, the audience also witnessed another highlight with the formal signing of the agreement for Busworld Turkey.

18.10.2007 | Global Challenges Facing The World Bus & Coach Manufacturing Industry

This workshop wants to serve as a platform for the officials, professionals and representatives of the worldwide bus & coach industry to discuss and exchange advancements, technical know-how, in depth understanding of various markets to boost up the international exchanges and business.

It consists out of two parts.

In the first part Doug Jack, puts forward the major global trends in the competitive arena in which all manufacturers have to fight today. An international panel consisting of top management of the Bus & Coach Manufacturing Industry (Temsa, King Long, Ashok Leyland, Volvo Bus Corporation) comment on these trends from their national/regional point of view. For each country Busworld is active in, manufacturers were asked to take the floor based on their international participation levels in all or most Busworld Fairs. Others will be able to join in during the discussions.

In the second part top industrial designer Alain Denis, CEO Enthoven Associates, bridges past, present and future and brings his view of on the future of public transport and its implications on future bus design & technical developments. Doug Jack, leads the debate with the international panel and interacts with the international public.

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17.10.2007 | 5th European Bus and Coach Forum

Coach travel: The green and save alternative. 19.10.2007, Expo Meeting Center, Kortrijk Xpo, Belgium 9:30-13:45. With the participation of the European Commission, the European Parliament, the cities of Venice and Dresden, the American Bus Association and leading European coach operators

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