Big breaking news

[CrabbyMilton]

MCI is going to merge with SETRA. This will be very interesting to see which models will stay and which one's will go over time. http://www.mcicoach.com/media-center/2012-04-25-setra.htm

[Jeremy]

It doesn't say that MCI is merging with Setra - it says that MCI will take over the importation and sales of Setra products in the US.

Jeremy

[CrabbyMilton]

Well it does say that SETRA will have a minority stake in MCI. I would call that a defacto merger otherwise why would you partner with a rival unless otherwise?

[luvrbus]

Yep must of been in the works for awhile I saw a J4500 with the DD13 and new Allison auto shift a few months back and M/B does not let many have the engine 

They already have VanHool in the group they are going to make it tough on Prevost to survive as the J4500 is the best selling bus on the market and has been for years and the Setra the best selling high end coach look out for a new motor coach for converters I hear one is on the way based on S417

[Jeremy]

Everyone in the auto industry has stakes in everyone else, and everyone 'partners with rivals' if it is in their own interests to do so - another company might have technology or expertise you are willing to pay for, or - as in this case - facilities and a distribution network that you can use to sell your stuff. Setra is just one of dozens of European bus builders producing really good products - the reason why they aren't available in the US is because of the vast cost of setting up a distribution network.

Now what would be interesting would be for MCI to start sending stuff the other way - ie, have a go at selling American/Canadian buses in Germany.

Jeremy

[CrabbyMilton]

You can have a DD-13 in the VAN HOOL too but with this, how long will that last? I wouldn't be surprised if MAXXFORCE engines make their way into the VAN HOOL line.
MCI has the J4500 which is considered to be a standard over the road coach. The E4500 is their premium model. The D4000 and D4500 is their lower cost model which often is configured and marketed as more of a commuter or prison version. SETRA's S417 touts itself as above premium and the new S407 is slightly below that. So if I had to guess, the E4500 may go away and that new S407 may take it's place. Just wait and see but maybe they'll keep it the way it is.

[CrabbyMilton]

VAN-HOOL is not part of DIAMLER. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Hool

[eagle19952]

I guess they have forgotten their experiance with Chrysler...

[luvrbus]

You got to do better than Wiki Milton , BK is going to be heart broken the Setra is the one going a way they are closing the plants according to WallStreet

[RJ]

BK is going to be heart broken, the Setra is the one going a way they are closing the plants according to WallStreet

I read the press release also, my interpretation was that it's the ORION plants building transit buses that are being shuttered after the current orders are completed, not the Setra plant in Germany.

Long term, this should be interesting. . .

FWIW & HTH. . .

[CrabbyMilton]

LUVERBUS I would agree that WIKI has it's reputation but as long as it sites an external link it's ok. However, the only connection I see VAN-HOOL having to DAIMLER is in it's 3035RE that uses the FREIGHTLINER chassis. Didn't mean to break any hearts.

[Jeremy]

Van Hool use Freightliner chassis? No reason they shouldn't, but surprising from a logistical perspective to ship American chassis to Europe to have a body put on, and then ship them back to America. Like Setra, Van Hool don't have any manufacturing facilities in the US.

As far as I can tell from a quick glance at Google, the '3035RE; isn't a Van Hool model in fact, but is a bus built by 'General Coach America', whoever they are (a fairly new outfit spun out of the old Airstream travel trailer company, according to their website).


Jeremy

[CrabbyMilton]

You're right about the 3035RE being build by GENERAL COACH and that's the one that VAN-HOOL uses the FREIGHTLINER chassis. True it's built by GENERAL COACH but it's an exclusive agreement and it has the VAN-HOOL name on it.