Success in bus and coach sector for MAN

MAN Automotive enjoyed a strong finish to 2022 and looks perfectly placed to build on this bus and coach segment success in 2023. We spoke to Siyabonga Nhleko, head of bus sales at MAN Automotive, about the company’s latest additions to the segment and what lies ahead for the coming year.

MAN Automotive signed off the year in style, with an impressive performance in 2022. This comes in a bus and coach market that, as a whole, had a relatively strong finish to the year. “We did extremely well, finishing off on the top of the bus market podium with a market share of 46,8%,” reports Nhleko.

“Start of year predictions indicated that the market would close at around 600 units, but the final market total of 628 units tells us the market is picking up. All things being equal and barring any unforeseen disasters, the future outlook is bright,” he continues, adding that MAN believes huge growth in the commuter segment was driven by people returning to the office following a long stint at home during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Looking ahead, Nhleko says that MAN will be focusing primarily on the new VW Volksbus Yabantu rollout and the testing of the MAN e-chassis in 2023.

Volksbus Yabantu launch generates excitement

“The launch of our all-new VW Volksbus Yabantu 17230 and 17260 V-Tronic buses last year was a resounding success. This was the world’s first bus collaboration between Wolfsburg, Brazil, and South Africa,” he enthuses. “Our customers were really excited and are looking forward to receiving this product – designed in Germany, with a Brazilian chassis and built by South African hands – in the market.”

Nhleko adds that the amount of interest shown by customers at the Volksbus Yabantu launch bodes well for the coming year. “Seeing how busy the MAN sales staff were at the launch, signing deals with customers, gives us confidence that this product is well-suited to our customers’ business needs,” he expands. “We are grateful for these order placement partnerships with our customers, and are definitely looking forward to getting many more.”

Eagerly awaited MAN e-chassis arrives

Another much-anticipated landmark comes in the form of the MAN e-chassis, which arrived on our shores in October. “We are extremely proud that our e-chassis is now here in South Africa,” beams Nhleko. “Our MAN bus and coach factory in Olifantsfontein is currently hard at work constructing a suitable body for this bus. It will most certainly be ready for testing in Q3 2023, and we are eagerly looking forward to seeing how it performs.”

The road to zero emissions

Elsewhere, England’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme seems to be working extremely well. When asked if he thinks that South Africa would benefit from such a scheme, and what role government should play in the rollout of zero-emission vehicles, Nhleko is typically candid.

“As in England, we have seen Latin America also engage in the ZEBRA scheme; it would be remiss of South Africa not to aim for this goal. Government should certainly play an integral part in this zero-emissions revolution. However, this needs to be done in phases, and in such a manner that it safeguards the industries and jobs that will ultimately be affected by the road to zero emissions,” he cautions.

Finally, Nhleko anticipates sustained market growth as the new year progresses: “Currently we see the market settling around the 700 mark. We continue to strive for 40% market share potential and hope to realise this through our premium yet robust product offerings and the great partnerships we have formed over the years with our customers.”