The industry is well and truly motoring when it comes to delivering buses and coaches, with consistent numbers emerging throughout 2026. The latest Australian bus and coach deliveries data, courtesy of ABC, recorded 153 units for May 2026.
While it’s both slightly lower than the 158 recorded in April and the 160 seen in May last year, it still sets the industry on course to break recent delivery records while also providing for an intriguing twist in emissions trends.
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There were some changes throughout the chassis market in May, but one thing that wasn’t tweaked was Volvo’s presence at the top of the leaderboard as it recorded 48 deliveries for the month. However, second went to a resurging BYD, with 33 zero-emissions bus deliveries seeing it claim silver ahead of Scania (18), while Yutong’s combination of 11 heavy and six light bus deliveries saw it fall to fourth. Custom Denning was the next best with seven deliveries, while BCI, King Long and Odin (light bus deliveries) all couldn’t be split with six units apiece. MAN finished ahead of Zhongtong and BLK, who each recorded three deliveries, while I-Bus registered a sole light bus delivery.
Volgren remained the supreme force in the bodybuilder segment, usurping its amazing April efforts with a further 75 deliveries in May. Yutong finished in a comfortable second place, its combination of 11 heavy and six light bus deliveries proving enough to finish ahead of BCI with 11 units. Irizar was nipping on BCI’s heels with the 10 deliveries, while King Long was level with Wisdom (light bus deliveries) with six units apiece. The remaining 21 deliveries were split between eight brands, highlighting the even spread of bodybuilding contributors across the local market.
There must’ve been word on the street between sectors, as McConnell was similarly dominant in the seating sector as Volgren, finishing with the exact number in 75 deliveries for May. StyleRide’s strong month of 28 units delivered saw it claim second ahead of a closely following Sege (22). Yutong was a clear fourth with the 10 deliveries, while Fainsa (seven) narrowly edged out King Long (six). In the final deliveries for the month, Zhongtong (three) pipped both APM and Leadcom (one apiece).
For the first time in recent memory, there was no tight tussle at the top of the air-conditioning market as Coachair romped home to a resounding win courtesy of 55 deliveries. The next best was Spheros (18), who was a solitary unit ahead of a logjam including Cling-Yutong and Hispacold with 17 units apiece. Thermo King wasn’t far behind with the 13 deliveries, while Denso (10) stayed clear of a tight pack involving Valeo (eight), King Long (six) and BCC (five). To finish, Tongsun’s three deliveries saw it finish ahead of I-Bus (one).
It was one-way traffic in the state-based battle, with New South Wales rubbing in its historic State of Origin game one comeback over its maroon rival with a resounding May win. Its 68 deliveries for the month nearly doubled the second placed Queensland, with its 35 deliveries proving far too strong for Victoria (18). Not far behind the Vics were both South Australia with 16 deliveries and Western Australia with 15 units delivered, while the Northern Territory recorded a solitary delivery.
The trend between bus and coach power sources is continuing to gather momentum for zero-emissions units, with 73 of the 153 units for May being zero-emissions models. In this market, BYD was a clear leader through a stellar month involving 33 deliveries, with Yutong (11), Volvo (nine), Scania (seven), Custom Denning (seven) and Odin (six) all contributing strongly. Outside of this, Zhongtong also recorded two hybrid-electric models, leaving the remaining 78 deliveries to diesel vehicles. In this space, Volvo (39) was a clear leader ahead of Scania (six).
Click here to see all ABC bus and coach deliveries data.
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