The summer period has done little to perturb the Australian bus and coach market, as the January deliveries have gotten the industry off to an ideal start in 2024.
The first month of 2024 reaped 137 deliveries, surpassing the 126 deliveries recorded in December, 2023.
The top two from 2023 got off to hot starts in January, as Volvo (41) and Yutong (36) broke away from the pack early as the fast starters. Coming in third was King Long, who had an impressive month with 17 deliveries, while Scania slipped to fourth with 13 units delivered. An impressive month from I-Bus saw it claim fifth with 11 deliveries, staying one ahead of BCI (10). The chassis market then ended with the final four brands, with Mercedes-Benz and MAN both recording three deliveries apiece while BLK (two) and Challenger (one) wrapping up the January chassis deliveries.
There was a new leader to start body builder deliveries for 2024 as the competition closed for the first time in months. Yutong’s 36 deliveries for the month saw it take top spot in January, with perennial leader Volgren squeezing into second with 21 units delivered, just ahead of the quickly advancing Irizar with 20 deliveries. Not far behind was King Long with 17, staying ahead of the likes of I-Bus (11) and BCI (10). From there, the competition remained even, with Scania Higer (five) keeping narrowly ahead of Custom Denning and Express Coaches with three deliveries apiece. The final 11 deliveries were split between seven brands in a tightly contested finish.
An industry trend emerged in January, with the seating market not immune to the closure competition seen in other areas. Yutong once again sat atop with 36 deliveries, while the ongoing seating leader, McConnell, held off the competitive Sege (31 deliveries) by a solitary delivery with 32 units registered for the month. ISRI had an impressive start to 2024 with 17 deliveries, while APM also impressed with 11. StyleRide kept its consistency with eight deliveries, with Fainsa and Precision Bus wrapping up the seating sector with a sole delivery apiece.
Other than Cling-Yutong’s remarkable 36 deliveries, the air-conditioning market remained steady in January. Thermo King kept itself near pole position with 30 deliveries, with Hispacold nestling directly behind it with 21 units delivered. King Long’s 17 deliveries kept it in the frame, with Songz (10) staying narrowly ahead of Coachair (nine). Behind them, MCC led the next pack with six deliveries, with Konvekta (five), Valeo (two) and Spheros (one) wrapping up the air-conditioning market.
There were a couple of high scorers in the state-based content as Victoria and Queensland dominated the deliveries. Victoria continued its good form from the end of 2023 to take top spot in January with 44 deliveries, staying three ahead of second-placed Queensland. NSW came in third with 24 deliveries, with Western Australia part of the leading pack with 17 units registered. From there, South Australia was next best with five deliveries, with the Northern Territory starting 2024 strongly with four deliveries and Tasmania recording the two deliveries.
For website piece: Click here for comprehensive bus and coach delivery information for January. Please note all data is as supplied from manufacturers, at their discretion.