Altas
D’Auria Group (that markets Altas range in Italy) displayed in Milan the Tourline, a touring coach built in four hands with the Lithuanians of Altas Auto, on a Mercedes Sprinter chassis. But the big news of the house is the Novus City V7, an all-electric 7.5-metre manufactured together with the Chinese Zhongtong.
Ayats
Spanish bodybuilder Ayats joined NME with its dealer Officine Di Maio: on show was the Horizon, powered by Mercedes, in the double version with two axles (11.60 metres) and three (13.35 metres).
BYD
BYD (87 units registered in Italy in 2023) has brought to Milan the brand new 12-meter model B12 featuring the so-called ‘blade’ batteries positioned inside the chassis, and the e-bus model on a Nelec body – also in the standard 12-metre size -. made in Spain by its Iberian partner Castrosua. Both will be available on the Italian market.
The Blade Battery Chassis technology also utilises a new 6-in-1 controller with Silicon Carbide technology, together with two wheel hub hairpin motors. Combined, “these bring a multitude of benefits to BYD’s 12-metre eBus including enhanced energy efficiency, performance and durability”, BYD says.
Indcar
Indcar brought in Milan a methane-powered Mobi and a 6-meter e-bus by Bluebus that was awarded a tender in Turin. Indeed GTT and Indcar officially signed during the expo the contract for the purchase of 22 electric minibuses (Indcar acts as Bluebus dealer for Italy and Spain since mid-2023).
Industria Italiana Autobus
Only one vehicle for Industria Italiana Autobus, whose corporate future still remains uncertain: at the Next Mobility Exhibition, IIA showed again the Menarini Citymood 12e, also available in a 10-metre version.
Iveco Bus
We can’t but beginning with Iveco Bus, market leader in Italy again in 2023. Iveco Bus displayed the 12-meter battery-powered E-Way, the e-Daily (in electric version) and, above all, the big surprise, truly new product at the fair, the Crossway Mild Hybrid Normal Floor.
Iveco Bus is now updating the range with the mild hybrid version of the Crossway normal floor intercity bus. It’s available in 3 lengths: 10.7, 12, 13 meters, POP and LINE versions. It will be at the beginning available in 12 and 13 meters powered by natural gas, biomethane-compatible. The new model is already available for orders, with the first units to be delivered in Spain next July, Iveco Group says.
Karsan
Karsan is also part of the large Turkish line-up: KMobility, the new Bursa-based company’s sole dealer in Italy, was announced recently. At NME, the company focused on the 8-metre, self-driving e-Atak (which is currently clocking up kilometres in Norway and Finland), but the 12-metre e-Ata Hydrogen and the six-metre, all-electric e-Jest were also present.
King Long
King Long is active in Italy through the dealer Dierre Dimensione Ricambi. Only e-buses at the stand: with Pev, Pev9 and Pev12 available for attendees (length 6, 9 and 12 meter respectively). And a 8-meter model is awaited.
MAN
MAN has two arrows in its bow at the Milan exhibition: the Lion roars with the 10.5-metre ‘short’ version of the Lion’s City E, the shorter version of the 12-metre battery-powered vehicle that has been leading European BEV bus market in 2023, and with a coach from the Neoplan brand, a 12-metre Tourliner equipped with the new GSR 2-compliant active safety suite.
Otokar
Strengthened by the acquisition of Mauri Bus System to better operate (with a direct subsidiary) in Italy, Otokar had a strong presence at NME, with four vehicles: in addition to the Kent diesel outside, the Turkish company’s stand features three electric models: in Class I, the 12-metre e-Kent – in the revamped version, i.e. without an engine tower and with a larger battery pack, up to 450 kWh – and the short e-Centro C, while in Class II there is the e-Territo, for the first time in Italy after its launch at Busworld.
Solaris
Recently showcased in Berlin at Mobility Move 2024 with the new generation of the Urbino 12 electric with modular transmission and new batteries up to 600 kWh, Solaris brought to Milan – where it dominate ATM’s Milan fleet – the 12-metre Urbino powered by hydrogen.
By the way, on the Urbino 12 electric we wrote an extensive technical report on latest Sustainable Bus magazine out in May 2024.
