Initial Higer V-Series coaches have been unveiled by dealership Harris Bus and Coach as it prepares to receive 37 vehicles from that range at three lengths as part of a 45-unit order from the Chinese marque for delivery to the UK in March 2026.
Alongside those coaches will be eight Azure battery-electric buses. The V-Series will be at nominal 10m, 12m and 14m lengths in diesel form as the V-10, V-12 and now the V-14 as a tri-axle. The dealer says it is already committed to bringing the latter here in battery-electric form as the V-14E under future range expansion.
Two V-10s for the Irish market are currently in the UK for operator and dealer familiarisation. One of those is accessible; the passenger lift has been fitted in China, but UK coaches that comply with PSVAR will have such equipment from PLS or Dhollandia, with Hanover to fit destination displays.
On the bus side, a residual number of wheel-forward Steed battery-electric models are in Harris Bus and Coach stock. Once they are sold, needs in the mid-sized field will be covered by a shorter variant of the door-forward Azure to sit alongside the 12m type that is already established in Ireland.
For staffing, former MAN coach sales figure Chris Hunt has been named Head of Coach Sales by Harris in the UK. He parallels James Hooker as Head of Bus Sales and brings extensive experience in that field. The further developments follow previous news in August about the Higer brand’s relaunch and early direction in the UK.
Higer V-Series will lead coach line for UK dealership
The V-Series coach platform is a development of previous models offered by Harris in the Super 9 midi and the 12m Pegasus. Cummins power is fitted across diesel examples, with the radical V-Series frontal styling already seen in left-hand drive format at Busworld Brussels.
Although the V-10 is lower than its sisters, there remains significant commonality across the three coaches. As shown, the pair of Irish market V-10s have Higer’s own seat finished in a synthetic black leather with diamond stitching and a range of comforts including drop-down tables, footrests, and lateral adjustment.
Harris Truck and Bus UK Managing Director Bill Laidlaw advises that stock coach builds will include a selection of trim configurations. Customer orders will also be taken with an estimated lead time of six months.
The pair of V-10s already here display a tablet-based dash binnacle, with a separate tablet for other functions to the left. Cabin ambience is inviting, although Mr Laidlaw notes how UK coaches will have some relatively minor changes to those destined for Ireland, with work on final specifications to be confirmed shortly.
Stock models on order are 10 examples of the V-10; 15 of the V-12 to a mix of configurations; and 12 of the V-14, with two of those to a more basic layout and 10 to suit touring work. A separate order for 25 vehicles for Ireland is also in hand.
Beyond diesel in coach, the V-14E battery-electric is being worked up. Like buses from Higer, it will come with energy storage from CATL, with around 480kWh to be installed. Warranty coverage will be finalised shortly, but 15-year coverage is expected across electric products. Other V-14E specification elements, including maximum charging power, are still to be agreed.
Around 30 UK coach operators will be shown the V-10 pair during November. A roadshow will come later. Mr Laidlaw says that Harris Bus and Coach UK has been surprised by the level of interest already seen from potential buyers in both the coach and bus fields.
Azure battery-electric bus generating big group interest
Interest in the Azure bus is similarly building, with Mr Laidlaw noting how early discussions have been had with more than one of the large groups. Higer battery-electrics have already gained traction among private operators in Ireland, which is where the residual Steed models are expected to find homes.
As part of a five-year plan and in advancement of its position in August, Harris now expects to bring a diesel single-deck bus to the UK along with battery-electric and diesel double-decks. Such growth, and introduction of the V-14E electric coach, is pencilled in to start in 2027.
Next year’s priority is to get dealers in place. Those will be drawn from the Maxus light commercial vehicle network, a marque that is also supplied by Harris Group, although Mr Laidlaw adds that some other parties have thrown their hats into the ring to support Higer vehicles.
Previously the Dublin-based business planned to have 10 Higer specialist outlets here, all offering aftersales support and eight of them also selling new vehicles. However, interest from such potential parties has been stronger than predicted and Mr Laidlaw expects those projected numbers to increase.
Complementing them will be a central Harris Bus and Coach base for the UK with showroom facilities, as premises already owned by Harris in Liverpool are expected to be outgrown. Cheshire is currently the favourite for that development. “It is all looking good for us in the coach and bus world,” Mr Laidlaw believes.
Further detail on the Harris Bus and Coach strategy for the UK and vehicle positioning will follow in the December issue of routeone.
