By Redação AutoIndústria | 5/30/23 | Translated by Jorge Meditsch
Scania is reformulating its bus business and decided to cease body production at the Slupsk plant in Poland, where the brand’s full bus models Citywide and Interlink are made. The manufacturer’s chassis will thereby receive bodies made by partner companies.
According to Scania, the body operation will be reduced gradually in the first half of 2024. Although it asserts this will not affect the chassis production, the package foresees the end of the low-floor configuration.
According to the note, the bus market was hardly harmed during the pandemic, and, despite recovery signs, the pace is still slow in higher competition ambiance and legislation demanding high investments in new technologies.
Slim structure
The company understands that ending the body production will be able to provide more competitive mobility solutions, ensuring sustainable growth.
“We are convinced that the bus business will remain an important part of Scania’s offer, but we need an updated strategy that enables us to accomplish our promises to the customer and ensure a globally profitable business”, said in a note Stefano Fedel, Scania’s Sales and Marketing director.
The manufacturer emphasizes that the decision will make the structure slimmer and, therefore, provide more capacity to meet market demands better with an offer based on a wide range of chassis configurations and powertrain options, as well as services, financing and charging solutions for electrified versions.
A similar decision was announced in mid-March by the competitor Volvo, which also will end producing full buses in Europe. It also affects a Polish plant, in Wroclaw, which will be closed.
