Boomtme for MAN in UE
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MAN is forecasting a boom in the public transport sector on I other side of the Atlantic which will earn the company heah profits in the 1980s.
The Germans expect rising demand as a result of generous federal subsidies to public transport authorities for replacing their fleets.
MAN has invested $13m in a plant at Cleveland, North Carolina, to fulfill a condition that to qualify for the aid at least half the value of the buses must be accounted for by US production.
Already, says MAN, the investment has paid off with an order book worth until $160m, full early 1984. Orders for articula buses number 535.
The first vehicles were livered last month to t Chicago Transit Authority, wh is buying 125 articulated bu. from MAN.
America appears to ha discovered the articulated bin which can carry 25 to 35 per o more passengers — at a ti when many cities are replaci their ageing fleets.
MAN's market research partment calculates that, fn the mid-1980s, US demand these vehicles will reach at le. 800 per year.
There is competition frc Eastern Europe, France al Sweden — but the West GI mans are confident they can o ner about half the market.
There is also rising US c mand for normal city buses. Ci rent order level is about 3,0 per year. This could rise to abc 5,000, expects MAN.
The firm is shipping engin and axles from Germany wh the reGt of the production based at the Cleveland plant.