Volvo joins Plaxton in export
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• Plaxton will use a new rearengined coach chassis from Volvo to attack the luxury export market with its Paramount successor next year.
The ScarborOugh-based bodybuilder has entered an agreement with Volvo to supply France with its new steel structured body on a three-mded version of the Volvo B12 chassis, through importer Volvo France. Until now Plaxton has been unable to compete overseas with the likes of Van Hool and Jonckheere, because its nineyear-old Paramount is considered "a bit outdated" by operators there, says group managing director Robert Wood. Of more than 5,000 Paramounts built to date only a handful have been exported.
Wood believes that Continen
tal operators will like the new rounded body, with its upright or swept back front, integral air conditioning and double glazing (CM 20-26 June).
There are no plans to bring the B12 chassis to the UK in its current form, but Plaxton is evaluating several other northern European markets.
An 11.8m two-axle chassis was shown in Sweden this month with a Berkhof Excellence 2000 HL 3.6m-high body. It is also available with a short wheelbase and a choice of three driver's positions. Volvo has used as many standard Volvo truck and bus components as possible.
The front end of the chassis is identical to the mid-engined BlOM Mark III, with the same driver's platform, front axle, two-bag air suspension, four