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VDI commence local assembly of Yutong Australia buses

In exclusive news, VDI has began assembling a range of Yutong Australia buses at its local Brisbane premises, with expansion plans in place

In an exclusive, the national bus distributor for Yutong Australia Vehicle Dealers International (VDI) has advanced its local assembly program, beginning with the highly acclaimed E12 battery electric low-floor city bus.

With the next phase of this project now underway at VDI’s Brisbane premises, plans are already in place to expand output capability in south-east Queensland and potentially in other states in line with demand side dynamics.

“Much of our organisation’s focus remains upon sustainability in terms of assembling cutting edge, modern technology buses, designing facilities that cater exclusively to these, then employing Australian workers and skilling them in these technologies that will be relevant for decades,” VDI managing director Peter Woodward says.

VDI’s commitment to this initiative extends far beyond facilities investment and recognises the discrete needs of the Australian bus industry, especially the need for localised support delivered by VDI, while leveraging the synergies from its Yutong Australia relationship.

VDI national manager of product, ZEB and new technologies Luke Edwards says a key component of this involves retaining Yutong’s world leading design quality, including the E12 electric bus’s monocoque construction.

“The advantages derived from Yutong’s multi-million dollar investments in research and design, engineering and structural integrity in developing the E12 must also be realised within the Australian market,” Edwards says.

“We have therefore retained these qualities and applied emphasis upon local labour and content where it adds genuine value. In doing so, we’re confident these buses will be even better suited to the Australian market.”


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These vehicles are delivered to VDI’s Brisbane premises as a ‘rolling glider’, with the internal fit out and multiple major component assembly being performed locally.

Also known as a Drivable Knock Down (DKD), the disciplined engagement between VDI and Yutong Australia will ensure only high quality, locally tested buses will be delivered to Australian customers and enjoyed by their passengers.

 VDI’s E12 electric low-floor city bus in DKD form undergoing local assembly 

With the first E12 DKD undergoing assembly in Brisbane, VDI remain excited about this projects’ progression into its next phase.

“We are particularly pleased by our ability to execute this project,” Woodward says.

“It’s very important not only for the Australian bus industry, but also for the local economy. The idea of having Australian’s working on world leading EV buses really appeals to us. While this has been a highly complex endeavour, what we quickly realised is that having a capable and committed manufacturing partner is paramount.

“We definitely have that with Yutong Australia and it remains a key reason why we are close to validating this particular approach being the right one for Australian market needs.”

While VDI commenced resourcing its Brisbane premises with qualified staff back in 2022, it anticipates recruiting more Australian workers and engaging local suppliers for its bus assembly operations in the coming months, including positions currently being advertised in Brisbane.

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