FROM AN ANNUAL perspective, some bus brands saw solid gains in otherwise tough times, exclusive ABC data reveals.
While the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic were felt across the industry last financial year, Australian bus and coach deliveries reached four figures for the 2020-21 financial year.
The final number of 1,041 is well down on 1,520, though – and more comparable to 1,064 recorded in the 2016-17 financial year. It equates to about 87 new deliveries each month.
There were, however, some individual wins in the chassis sector. While perennial leaders Volvo (324) and Scania (269) eased off last year’s heights, the chasing pack saw decent gains. Mercedes-Benz rose year-on-year from 125 to 133, Yutong from 104 to 111, and MAN from 22 to 48. The market also saw BYD make its mark with four units.
The body-building sector’s leaderboard also resembled that of recent years, but at a reduced scale. Volgren led the way, reporting 310 deliveries, along with subsidiary Supportrans’ 20 units. Bustech Group reported 147 deliveries, with Precision Buses contributing 46 of those and Elphinstone 25. Yutong’s numbers aligned with its chassis deliveries (111), the only increase of note in this sector. BCI also reached triple figures (114) for bodies built.
Thermo King’s grip on the air-conditioning sector remains as tight as ever, recording nearly half of all deliveries (479). Hispacold (108) and Cling-Yutong (100) hit triple figures, while Spheros followed on 93. It should be noted this sector had 48 deliveries unaccounted for by our sources.
Victoria, despite its prolonged lockdowns, remained the busiest state in the market, with 30 per cent of deliveries recorded there. NSW followed on 24 per cent. WA pipped Queensland by 2 per cent, with the rest of Australia involved in smaller numbers.
Please note all data is as supplied from manufacturers, with their involvement at their discretion.
Photography: courtesy Transdev Australasia