PLAXTON SCORES MAJOR SUCCESSES AT EUROBUS

As Eurobus Expo 2007 drew to a close, the Plaxton team were counting the value of orders which have outstripped all expectations of the event. Orders worth close to £15m at showroom values have been placed over the three days and with a massive amount of interest in both bus and coach products, the final tally of business generated is expected to be significantly higher.

The biggest single order comes from Stagecoach for 25 Profiles on Euro 4 standard Volvo B7R chassis, these are to a similar specification as the 50 similar vehicles delivered in 2005 – 6 with front entrance wheelchair lifts for interurban express operations across the Stagecoach companies and follows an order placed last month from the group for 45 Panther 15m coaches for it’s Megabus.com operations.

With a striking, centenary themed Panther displayed on the stand to mark 100 years of Plaxton, interest in this model was naturally strong and orders confirmed at the show include a repeat order for two from London based Andersons, another repeat order from Truronian in Cornwall and two to Corbell of London who are also to take two Profiles.

Other coach orders received include Paragons for Southern of Barrhead, Snaiths of Otterburn (2) and Richardsons of Midhurst. Profiles are heading to Prospect Coaches of Lye and Jones Login in West Wales.

On the bus front, Primo was once again a star of the show with both dealers for the product placing repeat business. Dawson Rentals are to take 20 and Mistral a further 24. Plaxton are reporting a massive amount of interest in the First Essex vehicle displayed on the stand and both dealers have reported excellent feedback from prospective customers.

The bus sales team were also kept busy showing visitors around the various Centro models displayed by Plaxton, Volvo and Arriva. Making it’s show debut and with over 100 orders already recorded, this is a product very much in demand and one which Sales Director, Kevin Wood, is confident will prove to be a real winner, “For a product launched just six months ago to have developed and diversified in such a brief period is little short of astonishing, and there’s still more to come as MAN and revised VDL chassis come on stream in 2007. The interest shown here has been intense and we’ll be kept busy following up enquiries over the coming weeks.”

The small coach business has also benefited from the show; orders have been received for a total of six Cheetahs including a second for Selwyns of Runcorn adding to the vehicle shown on the stand. Others are going to Johnstones of Shetland, GHA Coaches of Wrexham, Silverdale of Nottingham and a pair for Hargreaves of Hebden in the Yorkshire Dales. Beavers will be heading to London Borough of Lewisham who are to take three Beaver 3 Mobility Plus vehicles for demand responsive services in the borough.

With both bus and coach product on display, Kevin has been delighted at the response, “We’ve talked to dozens of customers from right across the spectrum, large and small, bus and coach, and the interest has been amazing. Prior to the show we’d already banked orders worth almost £30m for 2007 and the show has added a significant amount to this. With a substantial number of strong enquiries still to follow up, we’ve cause for optimism that the final result will be even higher.”

Photo shows Selwyn Jones (right) accepting delivery of his Cheetah and placing an order for a second with Simon Wood, Plaxton Area Sales Manager,NW England

ENDS

November 2006