Hungarian Ikarus Expansion
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THE Ikarus works near Budapest, which employs 4,000 people, is currently exporting Over 85 per cent, of its output of buses, coaches and specialized commercial vehicles; some 28 countries are buying from the company, whose 1962 production of passenger vehicles is expected to exceed 2,000. Expansion plans are aimed at doubling this output by 1965.
Big Ones for U.S.S.R.
The Soviet Union is principally interested in the bigger passenger models to handle tourist traffic: the rear-cngined Type 55 in its standard 38-seat and luxury 33-seat versions and the Type 66 for city use. Indonesia, Ceylon, Burma, Egypt and other African and Eastern countries are buying large quantities of the Type 31, an integrally constructed light bus especially suited to work in narrow streets.
Poland and East Germany are taking the Types 55 and 66 and also Type 630 inter-city bus; China has been buying the latter and the integral 31, The Ikarus general manager, Mr. Ferenc Hirth, says many customers are now demanding provision for a seated conductor, which is standard practice on all buses in Budapest, where flat fares are the rule, MORE T.A.M. VEHICLES
THE T.A.M. factory at Maribor, Yugoslavia, will increase production to 3,500 commercial vehicles this year, largely comprising the TAN. 4500 lorry with an air-cooled diesel engine. A number of special-purpose vehicles, such as fire-engines and street-washing vehicles based on the TAM. 4500 chassis will also be produced.