Scania-Metro link to challenge British bus market?
Page 15
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• On Wednesday Metro-Cammell Weymann Ltd. announced that it is negotiating with Scania-Vabis, the Swedish truck and bus manufacturer, for a joint co-operation agreement to build integral buses of an advanced technical design for the United Kingdom and certain overseas markets.
The buses will be built to the required specification to qualify for the 25 per cent Government grant payable to UK operators when purchasing new buses of approved design.
Initially the mechanical units will be built at Scania's Swedish works and incorporated in a structure and bodywork manufactured at MCW's Birmingham works. UK-made parts will account for well over half of the total price of the bus.
It is understood that two prototype buses will be ready for demonstration to British operators by October.
Metro-Cammell Weymann are already well known as manufacturers of integral buses, though in the past British manufactured mechanical units (usually Leyland) have been employed, and the buses designed for export.
Coming only two weeks after the Leyland National announcement (CM July 18), this new development takes on added significance and will be of considerable interest to British municipal bus operators in particular.
As long ago as 1965 (CM November 12 1965). the possibility of Scania-Vabis operating in London was forecast in this journal. This followed discussions with Mr. Kenneth Shave, then chief mechanical engineer, London Transport buses and coaches, who told CM that he would like to see Scania buses tried out in London.
It would, therefore, not be surprising, comments Derek Moses, if London transport became one of the first operators of buses to this new design.