Ikarus storm brews
Page 16
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
KIRKBY CE.NTRAL's deal to bring Ikarus coach hodies into the UK and the EEC has created a storm among UK coach and bus bodybuilders.
Plaxtons of Scarborough is saying not at present other than it is extremely concerned and not pleased about the ann01.111
It is having discussions with Kirkby concerning the Ikarus deal, discussions made more appropriate by the
fact that Kirkby Central is currently Plaxton's largest British customer.
Leyland and Metro-Caminell Weyinann arc also concerned about Ikarus entering the market at a time when the coach market is already over supplied.
hears that Ikarus may use its low production costs, achieved through low wage rates and large production runs to buy into the market and dani.ic the viability of British manufacturers are only part of the story.
Many also feel that Ikarus's goal will be to obtain hard Western currency rather than make a profit.
The coach business is thought only to be the first phase in Ikarus's plans for the British and EEC markets.
It is probably looking for a British partner to sell buses within Britain and the EEC.
Ikarus is known to have held discussions with several bus manufacturers but no decisions have been made.
It is looking for the same type of partnership as its long standing one in the United States with the Crown Coach Corporation of Los Angeles.
Crown has been a coach builder for over 80 years and has been producing Ikarus articulated buses in the US for the past five years.
The American buses have over 61 per cent US content, including axles, engines and gearboxes.