Archive, Industry News

VOLVO BUS 50TH ANNIVERSARY IN OZ CONCLUDES

WELCOMING new team members, creating new partnerships and launching two new key bus products – the highly anticipated BZL Electric chassis and the short Volvo B8R – notably marked Volvo Bus Australia’s 50th anniversary year in 2021, the company reports.

In reflecting on its past year and key business achievements across partnerships and training, product launches and electro-mobility milestones, general manager Mitch Peden outlines it was an eventful anniversary year for Volvo Bus Australia, indeed.

“Whilst it wasn’t quite what we had planned, our 50th year in Australia meant a great deal to the team and it was wonderful to witness many achievements this year including welcoming new members to the team, creating new partnerships and launching two new products: the short Volvo B8R and, of course, the new Volvo BZL Electric,” Peden explained.

“The global launch of the new Volvo BZL Electric was arguably our biggest highlight in 2021. It truly made our milestone year all the more special.

“Having dedicated five years to extensive planning, development and testing, it was certainly a very proud moment for the team in witnessing the launch of our cleanest, safest and most sustainable technology to date for the Australian and New Zealand markets.

“It is now an especially exciting time in anticipation of the upcoming official handover of our first Volvo BZL Electric unit to the Western Australian Public Transport Authority (PTA) in February – our first customer (of many) to be operating this new technology,” Peden said.

Volvo BZL Electric w Livery x.jpg

E-SKILLS COURSE

Along with the launch of the Volvo BZL Electric in 2021, Volvo Bus Australia also saw the beginning of an exciting new partnership with TAFE NSW in the collaborative development of an Electromobility Micro Skills Course, the company confirms.

“Setting the groundwork for the BZL Electric was a key priority for us and the opportunity we had in partnering with TAFE NSW last year – to produce a brand-agnostic, national standardised course covering primary electric vehicle safety and operational information – was a testament to this,” Peden explained.

“While electric vehicles are nothing new, this kind of course for the industry certainly is and will be important in developing essential industrywide knowledge.

TAFE - Mitch Peden announces electric vehicle training with Minister Lee.jpg

“Training for our customers and partners has always been a priority for Volvo Bus and this past year has seen us being flexible and innovative in delivering training in new ways.”

“It is really fantastic to look back on all that has happened in our 50th year in Australia, which we were fortunate to cap off with marking our twelfth consecutive year of market leadership in the Australian bus and coach industry,” he stated.

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“A result like that is only possible with the ongoing support and trust of our customers – for that we are truly thankful.

“Our customers this year have done an amazing job of keeping people moving – to their jobs, to receive medical care, to school and, of course, to quarantine.

“We have been amazed by the commitment of drivers and technical and operational staff across the nation.

“As customer and market needs remain ever changing, we look forward to continuing to deliver quality product and service solutions this year.

“We have a lot planned for the future and 2022 will certainly be a busy year for us and we will continue to lead with our values of quality, safety and environmental care as we take our customers with us on the journey ahead.” 

Mitch Peden at Volvo BZL Electric Launch.jpg

Photography: courtesy Volvo Bus Australia

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