Other Body Builders Discussion / Observations

[alleve]

Here's a photo from the VDI website:

[SpanningViaduct]

New to the Aus market, Marcopolo G8 coaches revealed in Melbourne.
https://www.facebook.com/VolgrenAustralia

[trackless tram]

This linkedin post shows a Volvo 7900 in Australia. Were there no plans to bring this to market?

[tonyp]

This linkedin post shows a Volvo 7900 in Australia. Were there no plans to bring this to market?

I believe the BZL is an evolution of the 7900 for the RHD export market. It seems to me that the only reason for importing the 7900 would be as an artic.

[SpanningViaduct]

It has a BZ-something badge on the rear there. What I hope it isn't is a BZ"R" low entry chassis demonstrator. Volvo already added it and the high floor coach variant to their web not long ago.

https://www.volvobuses.com/au/city-and- ... ctric.html

[Mr OC Benz]

This linkedin post shows a Volvo 7900 in Australia. Were there no plans to bring this to market?

I could be wrong but it looks more like a Volvo BZL with a Global Bus Ventures (NZ) body. The Volvo 7900 complete product is now built by MCV.

[trackless tram]

Thank you, I searched and found another image, it is indeed a GBV body.

[trackless tram]

A Yutong U18 with three doors has recently appeared on social media:





According to Barry Drive on the ACT Bus forum:

Reports suggest they will have three demonstrator buses for use by various bus operators.

they have secured an order in Budapest where the deal includes bodies built in Hungary by Ikarus.

At least one U18 trolleybus has also been produced, unless if it was for another operator.

[tonyp]

There are lots of Yutong articulated IMC trolleybuses. They've delivered a number to Mexico and Ecuador and now they have an order of 160 for Budapest (chassis and electronics only). Budapest is doubling its trolleybus network to 300 km.



Partnered with local bodybuilders, Yutong's cheaper pricing helps it win tenders - cost being the primary criterion in transport tenders nowadays. Just like here, they get a foot in the European market for this reason.

[tonyp]

Apropos no specific bus builder, but an example of the need for a knowledge of public transport "science" when designing vehicles. This particular bit of science is known across a range of professions, notably architecture.

https://x.com/sciencegirl/status/2008079583417938194

Better to have a stepless floor, but if you have to have steps, don't sabotage the passengers with risers of varying heights. It's dangerous. Of course, it starts with chassis design. I'll start a name and shame list with Volvo.

[Busman66]

I have a question, is Yutong E12 bodied by Gemilang? It looks extremely similar to Gemilang.

[tonyp]

Quite a sensational development in Switzerland where the Zurich operator VBZ has pulled the plug on its two suppliers of electric buses, Hess and MAN, and will call for tenders from other manufacturers rather than award further orders to these two manufacturers under existing options. The reason is because of persistent faults with both models - delivery delays and problems with the heating and ventilation systems, the powertrain, and the automatic raising and lowering of the pantographs with the Hess and issues with chassis components and door systems, alongside similar heating-related problems with the MAN. The manufacturers were given time to resolve the issues and failed to do so satisfactorily.

The Swiss company Hess has been manufacturing electric buses since the 1940s, whereas the German company MAN is a diesel bus manufacturer and a newcomer to electric buses. The relevance to Australia is that Hess recently supplied the double-articulated buses to Brisbane (the same 20 year-old model as the problematic buses in Zurich) and MAN has exhibited its new electric bus in Australia and announced an intention to supply it to the Australian market.

https://www.sustainable-bus.com/electri ... ric-buses/
https://www.electrive.com/2026/01/12/di ... 0-e-buses/

[Bovways]

Better to have a stepless floor, but if you have to have steps, don't sabotage the passengers with risers of varying heights. It's dangerous. Of course, it starts with chassis design. I'll start a name and shame list with Volvo.

One of the better stair set ups I've seen is in MAN 18.320s and similar with CB80 bodies. Busways has a number of these. Three broad steps, each as wide as a seat row, with consistent, low-height risers. Customs told me during an inspection visit that these stairs were designed to naturally stroll up and down, and I think they achieved that: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10 ... 7007219668

The worst I have seen is in one batch of CDC Scania 14.5m Volgrens (I think from memory earlier models), where there is one single step to the rear. I'm 5ft 6in and the step height was 3/4 of the way up my shin!

[tonyp]

One of the better stair set ups I've seen is in MAN 18.320s and similar with CB80 bodies. Busways has a number of these. Three broad steps, each as wide as a seat row, with consistent, low-height risers.

Yes, the stairs in the MAN are admittedly consistent, but the risers are quite high. In the Gong Shuttle buses in Wollongong, they notably deter crowds of standees from moving up the back. Note also the lack of headroom at the back because the floor is so high. Obviously the chassis is poorly designed.

[Busman66]

One of the better stair set ups I've seen is in MAN 18.320s and similar with CB80 bodies. Busways has a number of these. Three broad steps, each as wide as a seat row, with consistent, low-height risers.

Yes, the stairs in the MAN are admittedly consistent, but the risers are quite high. In the Gong Shuttle buses in Wollongong, they notably deter crowds of standees from moving up the back. Note also the lack of headroom at the back because the floor is so high. Obviously the chassis is poorly designed.

Hornibrooks tags had a ramp up to rear of bus past rear door. It lets more seats get added

[trackless tram]

Recently, a Douyin user posted a photo of the Foton BJ6189EVCA-R in the Beijing Foton factory. Interestingly, there is also a hydrogen fuel cell bus behind, with the same decals as the Foton hydrogens in Hobart.

I have a question, is Yutong E12 bodied by Gemilang? It looks extremely similar to Gemilang.

All currently in service Yutong buses are bodied by themselves, though they were also offering it as a chassis.

[Busman66]

Recently, a Douyin user posted a photo of the Foton BJ6189EVCA-R in the Beijing Foton factory. Interestingly, there is also a hydrogen fuel cell bus behind, with the same decals as the Foton hydrogens in Hobart.

I have a question, is Yutong E12 bodied by Gemilang? It looks extremely similar to Gemilang.

All currently in service Yutong buses are bodied by themselves, though they were also offering it as a chassis.

The exterior looks a bit like Gemilang, and the interior is almost identical to Gemilang.

[Busman66]

Recently, a Douyin user posted a photo of the Foton BJ6189EVCA-R in the Beijing Foton factory. Interestingly, there is also a hydrogen fuel cell bus behind, with the same decals as the Foton hydrogens in Hobart.

I have a question, is Yutong E12 bodied by Gemilang? It looks extremely similar to Gemilang.

All currently in service Yutong buses are bodied by themselves, though they were also offering it as a chassis.

Bus looks like an Endeavor artic