MAN is to move its remaining coach range production from Germany to Turkey by spring 2015.
Starliner, Cityliner and Jetliner intercity buses and coaches were originally produced at the Neoplan site in Plauen. In future, this will be done at MAN’s Ankara plant, which already produces models such as the Neoplan Tourliner.
MAN said the market volume for PCVs in Europe is at an all-time low. Owing to the poor economic situation in important target markets and to the low demand for coaches in the luxury sector, it is no longer economically viable to maintain production in Plauen.
The Ankara plant was the first MAN site outside of Germany and buses have been in production there since 1986. MAN claims this site also boasts the most advanced electrophoretic painting system in the world.
Anders Nielsen, CEO of MAN Truck & Bus explained: “This has been a hard decision to make. We are aware of Neoplan’s long tradition in Plauen, but we’ve been left with no alternative but to move production, in order to increase efficiency within our production network.”
