Jonathan Welch takes a look at some of EVM’s latest off erings, including a trio of new models produced by Spanish coachbuilder Ferqui
From a relatively modest start, EVM UK has grown its business to a successful and respected supplier of minibuses, minicoaches, and more recently midicoaches and small electric buses thanks to partnerships with AOS Isuzu and Karsan. In early June, CBW was invited to head down to visit the company at a special event hosted at Wotton House in Surrey to preview its latest range of vehicles, produced in association with Spanish body builder Ferqui. The extended line-up includes a Ferqui-built version of EVM’s CM composite-bodied bus, as well as right hand drive versions of Ferqui’s coachbuilt Sunset (also previously known as Sorocco in the UK) and Sunrise minicoaches, based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 519 and Iveco Daily 210hp models respectively.
Ferqui is a name which EVM is very familiar with, having worked with the brand in Ireland for many years, and one which is not new to the UK market. EVM’s existing relationship in Ireland and the previous UK importer’s desire to step back meant that bringing the range into EVM UK’s expanding portfolio was a natural next step.
Who?
Ferqui isn’t an unknown name, but it’s also maybe not the most familiar. So let’s start off with a bit about the company. The business was founded in 1957 by Oscar Fernández and Elías Quince with the aim of carrying out manufacture and repair of passenger and commercial vehicles, taking its name from the first letters of their surnames. Its first 35-seat bodywork was launched in 1958, with styling that featured a distinctive, American-inspired look. Unusual styling remained a feature of the marque’s products throughout the 1960s and 1970s, but gradually gave way to more conventional lines as the company progressed through the 1980s, whilst the company broadened its portfolio to include conversions of Mercedes-Benz 811D vans as well as the ongoing production of full-sized coaches.
In 1995, the company began manufacturing Ford’s Transit GT 14 Bus high-roof model, whilst in 1997 it launched a Solera midicoach model aimed at the UK market. The current Sunset model can trace its lineage back to 2003 and the launch of the van-based Sorocco model for the UK market, based on the Sprinter chassis, which in left hand drive form was named the Sunset and also available on an Iveco Daily chassis.
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