Dennis in Spanish talks
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• Dennis is believed to have been approached by a used PCV dealer interested in selling its Javelin coach chassis with Spanish Unicar bodywork to UK operators.
A source at Alan Wilson PSV of Ratby, Leics says the deal is at "very early days", and Wilson is putting together another package after his first plan was rejected by Dennis.
Dennis will not comment on the negotiations, which are expected to be concluded in the next few weeks, but it does not rule out the possibility of "another European body on the Javelin for the UK market", adding: As long as an offer is feasible and fits in with our strategy we will consider it."
Many Spanish builders have expressed an interest in the Javelin, which is already bodied by Dutch builder Berkhof and Portuguese manufacturer Salvador Caetano. It is also bodied by Plaxton and sold through Loughborough-based DSB Sales, and Yeates Bus & Coach, also of Loughborough. The latter will continue selling the Javelin until its stock of 10 are sold.
Dennis showed its intention to penetrate the Continent by
exhibiting at the Kortrijk Show in Belgium last October where it was one of only three British manufacturers (CM 31 Oct-6 Nov 1991).
Unicar plans to expand out of Spain where it has a 20% share of a market which contracted by 16% last year to 2098, PCV registrations. The Galicia-based firm recently bought the Portuguese coachbuilder Came and won an order for 500 vehicles to Iran.
If a deal is signed, it is believed Unicar could use its 12m steel Grinder body which is 3.5m high and can seat 54 passengers.