Leyland encouraged by Thai discussions
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LEYLAND BUS has won significant orders for its Olympian double-decker in the Far East and is "extremely encouraged" about new possibilities in Thailand.
Earlier this week, in Singapore, managing director Ian McKinnon confirmed an order for 100 Olympians with an option for 100 more from Singapore Bus Services. Leyland has also received orders for a further 95 double deckers; 40 Atlanteans for Jakarta in Indonesia and a further 55 Olympians for Kowloon Motor Bus in Hong Kong.
Timing of the announcement coincides with renewed Leyland initiatives in Thailand following the collapse of earlier plans.
Within the past few weeks a top level team led by commercial director Keith Lloyd has been in Thailand having talks aimed at increasing both local content and counter trade.
The team met local Thai bodybuilders, Government and Thai Bank officials and found the talks to be "extremely encouraging", it says.
These talks are to be continued by Mr McKinnon over the next few days.
McKinnon said: "From our discussions, there appear to be very real opportunities tZt reduce the foreign exchange costs of our proposal to a level the Thai Government would find acceptable.
"In addition, the transfer of bus manufacturing technology from our British plants, which would obviously increase as the degree of local content becomes greater, would strengthen Thai industry and enable it to meet future requirements with higher local content.
"This transfer of technology leads us directly into a much wider sphere of activity in Thailand. Our plans now go beyond the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority. We are now . evaluating the potential of establishing a general presence in Thailand with our discussions impressing the country's overall requirements and not just those of the BMTA."