English bus manufacturer Optare parts ways with Patico, seeks new Australasian distributor
Optare is expanding its presence and brand in Australia and New Zealand, with its focus on building a comprehensive sales and after-sales network in the region as a first step.
Bus builder Optare is actively seeking dealer-partners in Australasia after ending its relationship with Melbourne based Patico Automotive recently.
Optare customers received a letter explaining the situation and reassuring them a suitable new distributor will soon be found and reassuring them of its commitment to, and expand its reach into Australian and New Zealand markets.
“Discussions with potential dealer partners in Australia and New Zealand have commenced following the termination of Optare’s relationship with Patico Automotive,” an Optare spokesperson says.
“Optare aims to confirm its new network within the next three months and will provide full support for vehicles in service during the transition period.
“Optare is expanding its presence and brand in Australia and New Zealand, with its focus on building a comprehensive sales and after-sales network in the region as a first step.”
In the meantime, Optare has appointed an Australian-based representative to coordinate interim sales and aftermarket support to its customers throughout Australasia.
“Shannon Taylor, who has gained extensive knowledge working with the Optare product in Australia over the last few years, has joined Optare to coordinate interim sales and aftermarket support in Australia and New Zealand with full-factory back up from Optare in the United Kingdom (UK).”
Optare commercial director Robert Drewery has also given Australasian customers faith, saying this marks the start of a new area for the brand down-under.
“The Optare product with its low deployment costs and fuel efficient design has been extremely well received into the Australian market,” he says.
“We look forward to seeing further growth of our brand in Australia and New Zealand in the future.”
Optare is a leading British manufacturer of route-service buses with an assembly facility in Yorkshire and employs more than 350 people.
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