Australian owned and operated supplier Challenger Bus and Coach had the best of the past and future on display at the National Bus and Coach Show.
The well-known diesel Challenger V10 was still a welcome sight for attendees, gathering an audience among the newer electric models.
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“The V10 has been on the market for a long time, and we’ve had a lot of success with several operators on the road operating them. They are really happy with them,” Challenger sales manager Dan Campbell told ABC.
Despite the success of the V10 model, Challenger has made strides in recent years to up its game and electrify its offerings, using the Show as the perfect opportunity to show them off.
“We have on display our two brand new models – the Challenger Electric Low Floor bus and the Challenger Callibar,” Campbell says.
The Callibar, which has only been hitting roads for a few months, was a big drawcard, with one attendee flying up from Sydney just to have a peek.
“We’ve been blown away by the interest in the Callibar, it has been received so well already,” Campbell says.
However, the most exciting part of the two-day event for the Challenger team was debuting its brand new 12-metre electric bus, sure to be joining fleets shortly.
“We have had a lot of interest from some of the big metro fleets. It’s been just great to see so many operators at once, the interest has been great,” he says.
Looking forward to the next Show in 2026, Campbell says the brand has some big plans in store.
“I think you’ll see us transitioning to electric drivetrains available in all of our models by then,” he says.
“We’ll also be looking at having a 13-metre, three axle vehicle out in the market by then as well.
“I’m sure we’re going to be pretty busy for the next two years with the two new models that we’ve just got out as well.”
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