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FIRST CHINESE DOUBLEDECKERS IN SERVICE IN LONDON

Big Bus Tours has put 20 sightseeing buses from Chinese manufacturer Anhui Ankai Automobile Limited Company into operation in London. They are the first Chinese double deckers to enter service in the UK. The vehicles have been successfully put through the Individual Vehicle Authorisation (IVA) process and have now gained approval by VOSA officials.

AVM SELECTS CHINESE ENGINES TO POWER ITS BUSES

Bus and truck builder AVM Africa of Harare, Zimbabwe, which has traditionally built its vehicles using DAF engines, is to introduce Chinese engines in their current line of vehicles. AVM says the use of these engines will cut its production costs with about 50 percent.

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.