Fewer manufacturers carried the load last month, exclusive ABC data reveals.
Bus and coach delivery numbers ended at 87 in March – a slight dip on February’s 90, but enough to keep the 2021 monthly average in the 90s.
While trending downwards, it’s worth reiterating the number is still well above the average of 78 seen in the last six months of 2020, in the aftermath of the height of Australia’s Covid waves.
The pool of chassis makers this month is smaller than usual, but those involved did the heavy lifting with five of six recording double digits. Volvo in particular had a strong month with 36, its highest tally since August, 2020. Mercedes-Benz and Scania followed on 14 each, while BCI and Yutong both recorded 10.
Volgren led the way for the body builders, recording 26 deliveries, with a further nine from subsidiary Supportrans. BCI followed on a dozen. Bustech Group, comprising Bustech (5), Elphinstone (3), Precision Buses (2), recorded 10 deliveries, as was Yutong.
Thermo King remains well ahead of the competition in the air-conditioning sector, recording in 36 deliveries. Spheros, on 13, had its highest number since April last year, while the last time Coachair recorded 12 deliveries was November 2019, according to historical data.
New South Wales was the busiest jurisdiction and accounted for nearly a third of the deliveries. Victoria and WA followed on 26 and 24 per cent, respectively. Queensland fell back to 12 per cent.
Click here for comprehensive bus and coach delivery information for February. Please note all data is as supplied from manufacturers, at their discretion.