Spanish armada heads for Britain
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SPANISH coachbuilder Irizar is stepping up its UK sales drive with the introduction of a new body here later this year.
Irizar's UK concessionaire Intex (UK) Ltd has announced that the normal height U repel model will be coming to Britain in August in the form of a semi-integral demonstrator on DAF SB2000 rear-engined running gear. The body will also suit Volvo and Leyland Tiger chassis.
The price of the Urepel is expected to pitch it close to the Plaxton/Duple market and in direct competition to the Belgian Jonckheere.
There are currently around 15 of the split-level Urko models in the UK. This is Irizar's most popular body in the Spanish home market and the other export destinations in Israel, Egypt, South America and France, Irizar is aiming at five per cent of the British coach body market within five years, which represents roughly 100 bodies at current level.
During a tour last week by British operators around the In zar factory in Ormaiztegi, Northern Spain another new body was seen in build, called the Everest. This is a straight-through high floor body, not originally destined for the UK market. But one of the operators, Flights of Birmingham, showed interest in the Everest because of the large luggage space (12cum) it offers.
Still under wraps in prototype form is a completely integral vehicle using the Urko body and DAF SB2000 running gear. This is currently undergoing trials in Spain and is not yet in production.
Irizar completes a body in 45 days and produces around 600 bodies a year. Dinitrol rustproofing treatment is a new feature being included.
Intex (UK) Ltd has appointed Bradburn and Wedge of Wolverhampton as UK service agents and spares stockists for Irizar and two more in Scotland and the South will be named shortly.