The good news keeps coming for bus and coach suppliers in September as the month’s delivery numbers continue to track well.
August’s 102 units delivered were surpassed in September, with 109 deliveries registered in another strong month for the market.
When it comes to chassis, the perennial winner was once again at the top of its game, with Volvo recording 38 deliveries for the month. In a slight improvement from its 37 deliveries in August, Volvo once again stayed well clear of the next best Yutong with 17. Mercedes-Benz continued to track upwards with 13 deliveries to finish on the podium, staying just clear of BCI (10) and King Long (nine). The pack then tightened up, with Scania narrowly trailing the others with eight deliveries, while MAN closely followed with seven and kept its nose ahead of BLK (four) and BYD (three).
The dominant bodybuilder yet again reigned supreme as Volgren couldn’t be stopped. In a resurgence from its 27 deliveries in August, Volgren recorded 33 in September to nearly double the second place, which was shared between Yutong and the improving Irizar with 17. BCI was the only other body builder to record double digits with 10, staying just clear of King Long (nine) and Custom Denning (seven). The even body builder pack once again stayed close, with Coach Design (five) catapulting ahead of BLK (four) and the other five companies that shared the final seven deliveries, including a newcomer in New Zealand manufacturer Global Bus Ventures.
We’ve come to expect a one-sided display in the seating segment, and that’s just what McConnell gave us in September. Following 40 units in August, McConnell romped to a successful September with 46 deliveries for the month, staying well clear of the second-placed Sege with 22. Yutong (17) remained consistent, while StyleRide (11) tracked similarly to its August efforts to narrowly beat out King Long with nine. To wrap up proceedings, Marcopolo recorded two units while both Fainsa and debutant Vogel had one delivery apiece.
Thermo King may have dropped from its 35 deliveries in August, but another 31 in September was more than enough to see it take out the air-conditioning race. In a tightening market, it was head and shoulders above second place, which couldn’t be split between Cling-Yutong and Hispacold with 17 apiece. Coachair nipped at their heels with 11, edging out MCC (10) in the process. King Long’s nine deliveries saw it stay ahead of Valeo and Denso with five each, while Spheros and Konvekta (two apiece) closed out the September air-conditioning race.
It was a true return to form for Victoria in September, avenging its August loss with 30 deliveries in September. Its vanquisher in August, WA, still managed to take out second place with 22 deliveries, narrowly beating NSW with 21. Queensland fell back down to 17 units, nearly succumbing to the ever-improving South Australia (15). Tasmania, with three deliveries, and the ACT, with one, closed out a state race that is becoming closer by the month.
For website piece: Click here for comprehensive bus and coach delivery information for September. Please note all data is as supplied from manufacturers, at their discretion.