Welcome to the Bus Industry News

DAIMLER TO CLOSE ORION AND BUY INTO MCI

As part of its Globe 2013 initiative, Daimler Buses is reconfiguring its bus operation in North America. The company has announced its intent to establish a strategic partnership to combine Motor Coach Industries’ (MCI) product, service and sales operation with Setra’s coach distribution rights and network in the region. The deal will involve Daimler taking a minority stake in MCI. The transaction is expected to be finalised by May 31, 2012.

IVECO PLANS TO BUILD FULL-SIZE BUSES IN BRAZIL

According to reports in the Brazilian media, Iveco is planning to increase its bus production in South America. Till now it produces the Daily City Class and chassis for citybuses in its Brazilian plant, the Daily City Class being bodied by Brazilian bodybuilder NeoBus. But Iveco Irisbus obviously has bigger plans, according to Marco Mazzu, Iveco Director for Latin America, during the recent presentation of the new Daily City Class Escolar..

PATRIARCA BUS BODY PLANT FOR BRAZIL

The Uruguayan bus body builder Patriarca announced that it will construct a plant in Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul state, in southern Brazil. The initial investment will be around $6 million and the site is expected to cover about 160,000 sq. ft. and employ more than 120 people.

PANASONIC NEW MILLIMETER-WAVE RADAR TECHNOLOGY TO DETECT PEDESTRIANS AND VEHICLES IN LOW VISIBILITY CONDITIONS

Panasonic Corporation announced it has developed an advanced radar technology for next-generation traffic safety systems that enables to detect humans and vehicles in a range of several tens of meters. This millimeter-wave radar technology allows for detecting objects outdoors in poor visibility conditions, such as night, rain and snow, as well as against the sunlight. When applied in traffic surveillance sensors located at intersections, this innovative technology will help increase automotive safety by detecting pedestrians and bicycles hidden in the driver's blind spots.

BMC ADDS PROCITY 340 K ARTICULATED BUS TO PROGRAM

BMC’s Procity340 super Low floor articulated bus was on display during this year’s Busworld exhibiton in Istanbul, Turkey. The Procity 340 K with its 157 passenger capacity (43 seating, 114 standing) offers an ultimate high capacity transport solution to operators.  The BMC 340K is fitted with 340 PS Cummins engine, and incorporates new generation automatic gearbox, portal axles, manual foldable ramp for disabled passengers, air conditioning, automatic greasing system and automatic kneeling system. Procity articulated buses are in operation in Izmir and Milan.