lkarus: 1988 target
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IKARUS, the Hungarian bus giant, plans to start selling mini and midibuses in Britain in 1988/89, but it has still to finalise its plans.
A spokesman at the company's Budapest headquarters told CM that it sees no sizeable market for its Ilm or articulated bus bodies in the UK, and it is unable to build double-deckers.
Instead, it aims to bring minibuses and midihuses into Britain in 1988/89 when the first generation of National Bus Company minibuses falls due for replacement.
But it is continuing to develop the UK specification of the Blue Danube coach bodies it is supplying to Kirkby Central, and hopes that Kirkby will take up an option for 50 bodies in addition to the 20 already ordered.
Ikarus's British representative company, London-based Robertson International, has already approached Bedford to explore whether it would provide midi and minibus chassis to meet NBC's demand.
But Bedford was unable to develop a suitable chassis within Ikarus's timescale, but ofkred the Hungarians access to models in its current range and available through the Bedford dealer network.
Ikarus has also discussed its plans with other British manufacturers, including Hestair Duple, which is considering importing a bus body to replace the ageing and expensive-to-build Dominant bus.