February sees a year-on-year rise despite local and global headwinds, exclusive ABC data reveals.
It was always going to be unlikely that last month’s record high of 172 would be matched, but February still turned out to be a strong month in any circumstance, with 140 bus and coach deliveries recorded.
That, sandwiched between the aftermath of the bushfire season and the early stages of Covid-19 makes the result even more impressive – an increase of more than 20 on last year’s already solid 112 in February.
For the manufacturers, Volvo and Scania went neck and neck, with the latter pipping the former by just two deliveries (42 to 40). BCI had another month in the 20s, while Mercedes-Benz and Bustech also surpassed 10.
Volgren led the body builders again, but its 29 falls short of its February tally of 40 in 2019. Instead, BCI’s 21 bodies is a year-on-year increase of 15 on last February’s six, marking a huge percentage rise. Bustech fell just short of 20 in a busy month, while Scania Higer and Custom Bus were two of the other 19 builders in total to pass double figures.
While the OEM and body builder margins are tightening, it’s very much the opposite for air-conditioners, with Thermo King extending its lead at the top in February. Its 62 falls slightly short of its top figure of 69 last year (in August), well ahead of second-placed Spheros. MCC and Konvekta were the others to reach double figures.
A tight state race saw Victoria pip New South Wales (34 to 31), while Queensland was also a percentage point ahead of Western Australia in third.
Click here for comprehensive bus and coach delivery information for February. Please note all data is as supplied from manufacturers, with their involvement at their discretion.