New luxury coach: Scania's 10,000th delivery

The Chinese Economic Area: New luxury coach: Scania's 10,000th delivery Hong Kong-Chinese tourist coach operator Toyo received the keys to the ten thousandth vehicle supplied by Scania to the Chinese Economic Area, the growth areas of China including Hong Kong and Taiwan. Handover of the vehicle - a unique luxury coach - took place at a ceremony during the ongoing UITP transport fair in Hong Kong. Vehicle number 9,999 also went to Toyo, who purchased two coaches at the same time. The two coaches are unique and are only available in these specially-ordered versions, designated Space Bus. The chassis is a Scania K124 EB 6x2 with a 420 horsepower engine. The body - a double-decker with a glass roof to allow Hong Kong's beautiful skyline to be admired to the full - comes from Ikarus and both buses are equipped with everything available on the accessories and options list. In addition to a toilet, pantry, video, stereo and TV, the coaches feature an extra-powerful climate unit to guarantee a pleasant interior climate despite the transparent glass roof, even under the tropical sun. Scania's first sale to China was secured in 1965, with the delivery of heavy timber trucks to Harbin in Manchuria. Most of these trucks are still doing daily duty. Expansion of Scania's operations in China-Hong Kong-Taiwan took off during the latter half of the 1980s, putting Scania in position as the largest European brand of heavy vehicles in this market. In Taiwan, Scania is market leader for full-size buses in the inter-city traffic segment. Håkan Eriksson, Managing Director Scania Australia Pty Ltd, presented the customer with a memorial plaque together with the keys to commemorate this landmark event. For further information, please contact Gunnar Boman, Scania Communications and Public Affairs, on telephone no. 070-550 86 06. Scania is one of the world's leading manufacturers of trucks and buses for heavy transport applications, and of industrial and marine engines. With 23,800 employees and production facilities in Europe and Latin America, Scania is one of the most profitable companies in its sector. In 1997, turnover totalled SEK 39,700 million and income after financial items SEK 2,800 million. Scania products are marketed in about 100 countries worldwide and approximately 95% of total production is sold outside Sweden. Scania press releases are available on the Internet, www.scania.com N98059EN / Bo Östlund ------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1998/10/21/19981021BIT00300/N98059EN.doc