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Koningshooikt –
A week after Van Hool was trumped by Chinese BYD for a major order from De Lijn, Van Hool can now announce a major order for electric buses. The bus manufacturer from Koningshooikt (Lier) has signed a contract with Qbuzz from the Netherlands for the delivery of 112 buses.
Friday, January 12, 2024, 4:09 p.m
Qbuzz is not a new customer for Van Hool. The Dutch transport company ordered 54 zero-emission A-series buses almost a year ago. A further 112 buses have now been added, making a total of 166 buses. “Since the series premiered in Paris in June 2022, we have exceeded the mark of four hundred models of the new A series of city buses for local public transport sold,” says spokesman Dirk Snauwaert.
All buses in the A-series of zero-emission vehicles are designed and developed at the Van Hool knowledge center in Koningshooikt. Prototype construction and testing as well as production and commercial support, such as parts purchasing, customer service and replacement parts, also take place here.
The actual construction of the buses takes place either in Koningshooikt or in the Van Hool factory in Skopje (North Macedonia). “This decision will be made at a later date, depending on the production planning of both locations,” says Snauwaert.
Last week it was announced that De Lijn would not turn to a Belgian company but to the Chinese manufacturer BYD for 92 new electric buses. A disappointment for Van Hool, which has been making losses since 2019 and a large part of its workforce regularly falls into economic unemployment. The order from Qbuzz, which was received shortly before the Christmas holidays, is therefore a stroke of luck. “Although it will not have a major impact on the 2023 results,” says Snauwaert. “This applies after the buses are delivered, at the end of this year and the beginning of next year.”
The unions are also satisfied with the announcement. “After the unfortunate news last week, we are pleased that Qbuzz confirms its trust in Van Hool with an order for 166 battery-electric buses,” says ACV Metea Secretary Kim Samison.
Heated seats and cell phone chargers
Qbuzz will use the Van Hool buses in South Holland. The vehicles are equipped with every comfort, with individually adjustable seat heating, extra legroom and extendable folding tables with cup holders. The headrests even have phone holders with induction chargers and USB ports. There is also WiFi on board.
Do the Dutch expect more luxury on their buses than De Lijn? That’s not necessarily true, says Snauwaert. “Qbuzz will use these vehicles primarily for intercity transportation, including on highways. To ensure that you stay on the bus longer, a WiFi connection and somewhere to store your laptop make sense. So it has to do with specific needs.”
ALSO READ. While De Lijn orders electric buses in China, Van Hool is in crisis: “65% of employees are economically unemployed this week”
(cvr, jvbo)
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