Scania aims at higher bus and coach sales

“Our long-term target is annual sales of 10,000 buses and coaches. We will achieve this by broadening our assortment of products and services and by growing in existing markets, but also by investing in new markets,” said Hans Hansson, Senior Vice President Buses and Coaches, at today’s presentation of Scania’s new bus and coach range.

In recent years, Scania’s bus business has developed positively. In 2005 it reached an all-time high of more than 5,800 units sold. “Although order bookings so far in 2006 have not been as good as last year, I am confident for the future. We will further strengthen Scania’s position as one of the leading manufacturers of complete buses, while ensuring that our bus business enjoys continued profitable growth,” Mr Hansson emphasised. In western Europe, Scania has a strong position in the Nordic countries, Spain and Great Britain. “Here we will consolidate and improve our strong position. In several major markets such as Germany and France, there is great potential to increase our sales of city and intercity buses,” Mr Hansson said. In Europe, the biggest market growth is expected to occur in the eastern and central region, where Scania already has a strong position today. Scania’s growth strategy includes an increased presence in populous markets outside Europe. “In Latin America our greatest focus is on Brazil and Mexico, where we will continue to refine our product concept. Especially for city buses, we see major potential.” In the city bus markets in Hong Kong and Singapore, where Scania is well represented, Mr Hansson foresees a continued positive trend. In the long term, China and India are also attractive bus markets for Scania, since the demand for buses with high-tech content will increase as economic development continues. ”In China, for example, we have initiated collaboration on tourist coaches with a domestic bodybuilder.” In the bus market, especially in Europe, the trend is that customers want to buy a complete bus from a single supplier. “Customers want a partner that can offer an overall solution. So we will deepen our collaboration with selected bodybuilding companies that deliver high-quality products, with the Scania organisation assuming responsibility for supplying parts, service and maintenance,” Mr Hansson said. Today Scania works together with its own subsidiary Omni in city and intercity buses and Spanish-based bodybuilder Irizar when it comes to tourist coaches. Mr Hansson does not rule out closer collaboration with additional bodybuilding companies. “The most important thing is that the bodybuilders we work together with meet Scania’s quality standards.” Scania has manufactured buses since 1911 and has delivered nearly 150,000 units to date. This represents more than 10 percent of total vehicle sales during the same period. For further information, please contact Hans-Åke Danielsson, Press Manager, Corporate Communications, telephone +46 8 553 856 62.