BRAZIL
Brazilian government awards contract to supply 3,000 school buses
MAN is making another move to actively leverage economies of scope within the Group. The “Linha 2012” Volksbus is to be offered with European Euro V technology for the first time. The new, more stringent emission standard will be mandatory in Brazil from January 2012 for all new registrations.
For the first time ever, the new Volksbus is also available with an MAN engine manufactured in Brazil. The D08 series four-cylinder engine is produced in São Paulo and includes emissions control based on EGR technology. The ‘Transpúblico’ bus trade fair in São Paulo will see an engine which has been developed and well-tested in Europe when it plays host to the MAN D08’s Latin America premier.
MAN Latin America’s bus business has also been able to record great success on the order side. The firm has won the Brazilian government’s contract to supply just under 3,000 school buses, with deliveries due to start in the coming weeks.
The Brazilian ‘Caminho da Escola’ (School Run) infrastructure programme, which has been running since 2009, has set itself the goal of heavily expanding the public transport system for carrying schoolchildren. The new Volksbuses are aimed at improving the comfort and safety of schoolchildren, especially in rural areas. MAN has already supplied over 5,600 school buses produced at the Brazilian Resende plant since the programme began. The new order will increase the Volksbus school fleet to a total of 8,500 buses.
Roberto Cortes, president of MAN Latin America, said: “During our 30-year history in Brazil, we have consistently exceeded our customers’ expectations with tailored solutions. We’re delighted the Brazilian government has placed its faith in MAN once again by awarding us the contract for an additional 3,000 buses as part of the School Run programme.”
