25 new double-deck Van Hools on order with capacity for 89 passengers
Sir Brian Souter’s Souter Investments has announced its second major disposal this year with the sale of Sunseeker yachts. The deal came on the same day as orders were placed for 25 new double deck coaches for Sir Brian’s Polish Polski Bus operation.
Beijing-based Dalian Wanda Group is acquiring Sunseeker, Britain’s biggest luxury motor yacht manufacturer. Souter Investments was the largest shareholder in Portofino Yacht Investments, which controlled Sunseeker.
Sir Brian said: “This is a welcome announcement. Sunseeker already exports nearly 100% of its yachts to many countries round the world. Wanda will be a wonderful partner, particularly in helping it unlock the substantial potential inherent in the developing Chinese boating market.”
For Sir Brian it is the second major disposal in the last three months, having previously realised Souter Investments’ significant stake in the £1.2bn flotation of insurance giant esure.
Meanwhile, the €12m investment in new coaches comes on PolskiBus.com’s second birthday. When the company launched two years ago it had only 18 vehicles. By the end of the year it will have 92 coaches operating in Poland. PolskiBus.com, which brought cheap luxury express coach travel to Poland, now operates 12 routes and has carried nearly 3.5 million passengers since its launch.
The new Van Hool luxury double-deckers, which carry 89 passengers, are equipped with air conditioning, toilets and WiFi. They have also been designed to meet the needs of limited mobility and disabled passengers with lower deck wheelchair access.
Sir Brian said: “PolskiBus.com has been a tremendous success. Passengers love our prices, comfort, convenient schedules and quality service. We have ambitious plans for the future and will continue to expand PolskiBus.com in Poland and elsewhere in Eastern Europe.”
In addition to serving 19 Polish cities, PolskiBus.com serves a number of international destinations in Germany, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. PolskiBus. com has its own Facebook fanpage with 90,000 followers and in an online birthday competition, passengers can compete for prizes such as an iPod touch, model buses and Ziggi (company mascot) toys.
