ADL gears up for export drive with diesel and hybrid models - 11th November 2010
Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) is set to make a major drive on export markets with both conventional diesel buses and ground-breaking hybrid-electric vehicles.
That was the message from company boss Colin Robertson when he spoke at Euro Bus Expo, Britain’s biggest bus show.
Revealing that ADL will deliver 30 Enviro200 midi buses and 38 Enviro400 double decks to Hong Kong operators in the months ahead, Robertson made it clear that he intends to take the business onto the world stage in a more “dynamic and progressive way”.
He said: “We have a whole series of market-leading products in the UK that have the potential to be world-beaters. Our aim is to market them more aggressively and, where necessary, to form alliances that will enable us to access new territories.
“For example, our Enviro200 is Britain’s all-time, best selling bus and currently has a 60% share of the UK market – but while thousands have been sold in the UK only a relative handful have gone overseas.
“That will change rapidly. I expect the figure of 30 being exported this year to quadruple in 2011 and in subsequent years as we take this product wider afield. Our Enviro200 is a superb bus that has been a UK ‘state secret’ for too long. .jpg)
“Similarly, our Enviro400 is a market leader but has remained almost exclusively a UK product. That process is also about to change with 38 being ordered by City Bus Limited, in Hong Kong. These will be the first fully air conditioned two-axle double decks to go into Hong Kong for 20 years. All 38 will be bodied in China with kits supplied from the UK.
“In addition, we have just received an order for 10 Enviro400s that will go into operation with Twin America, in New York, another market that has traditionally sought a three-axle solution.”
Turning to new generation hybrid-electric buses, Robertson said he believes ADL is now Europe’s leading supplier of low carbon vehicles that “deliver what they promise”.
He said that ADL will have around 100 hybrids in service by the end of this year with another 150 built into the company’s production programme for 2011. He expects this number to rise further in the months ahead.
Robertson commented: “Our hybrid success is built on a superb partnership with BAE Systems and on the fact that the vehicles deliver what they promise. They are comfortably achieving a 30% reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions and are virtually 100% reliable. They slip seamlessly into depot and maintenance regimes and both drivers and passengers like them.
“Now we have to build on that success, both at home and abroad.
In a fortnight we will unveil our 19 tonne, single deck, three-door hybrid for Europe. The first stage of this venture will be a collaboration deal with Tata-Hispano, who will have exclusive rights to market the product in Spain and Portugal."
