Harris Bus and Coach has shared further details of its work to cement a presence for Higer vehicles in the UK market, with plans coming together ahead of the arrival of the first 45 such coaches and buses in March 2026 via the subsidiary of Dublin-based importer and supplier Harris Group.
Work on the Higer brand in the UK follows previous attempts to introduce its products here by Harris. They are already well established in Ireland. Of the new V-Series coaches, two have already touched British soil when the dealership brough a pair of V-10s (one pictured, above) ultimately destined for Irish customers to Donington Park in November for introduction to potential buyers and parties that will form part of its dealership network here.
Cummins power is used across the board in those, with the V-10, V-12 and V-14 names based on the coaches’ nominal lengths in metres. The longest is now the V-14, a tri-axle product at 14m; the 10m V-10 and the 12m V-12 are both on two axles. Each of those products forms part of the stock order for the UK already placed.
Complementing them is the Azure battery-electric single-deck bus. It has already been sold in 12m format and a 9m example will follow. The latter is to door-forward layout and will succeed the wheel-forward Steed that has sold in modest numbers in both the UK and Ireland.
Harris Truck and Bus UK Managing Director Bill Laidlaw oversees operations here. Those are currently headquartered in Liverpool, but a coach and bus centre including a showroom is being worked on. Cheshire is suggested as a location for that, with a hope that Harris Bus and Coach affairs in the UK will be self-sufficient by 2027.
Harris Bus and Coach team boasts UK market experience
A more recent addition to the Harris Bus and Coach sales team here is Chris Hunt, who counts MAN and Optare as former employers. He is Head of Coach Sales and sits alongside James Hooker as Head of Bus Sales. Head of Aftersales Bus and Coach Wayne Ulph adds further passenger sector knowledge to the Harris team.
Of products, the V-10 coach promises a maximum of 43 seats and the V-12 will go to 55. The V-14 will reach 61. Power in the smallest vehicle is from the Cummins B6.7 engine developing 320bhp, while in the V-12 it comes from the X11 at 400bhp. In the V-14 will be the X12 developing 490bhp. All will drive through the ZF EcoLife automatic gearbox.
The V-Series is broadly based on existing Higer coach products, but they have received major upgrades including new body shells and styling, new electrics, upgraded braking systems, and much else. Perhaps most noticeable to passengers will be the headlight and daytime running lamp arrangement; it forms part of what Higer describes as a butterfly wing panel.
Coach and bus both within first Higer stock order
For bus, the Azure 9m will seat 28 passengers with a maximum capacity of 62. It will have 263kWh of batteries. The Azure 12m, as already sold, gives 42 seats and energy storage of 363kWh. Bill observes how 481kWh can be fitted, but the drive axle weight limit prevents that for the UK. He is hopeful of upward movement in the future. CATL supplies the batteries and Bill is targeting a 15-year warranty on those.
The 45-unit stock order is broken down into eight Azure buses and 37 coaches. Of the latter, 10 will be the V-10, 15 will be the V-12, and 12 the V-14. Different specification levels are in hand for the two larger coaches, spread across a standard approach and one to suit touring applications. Internal colour schemes are also varied.
PSVAR compliance will be available across the coach line-up. On the V-10, lift location is within the wheelbase, while for the V-12 it will be above the front axle. The V-14 will see that equipment mounted over the rear bogie. Dhollandia and PLS will supply lifts and Hanover the destination displays. All such units will be fitted after arrival from China.
Bill notes that further coach and bus stock orders will be laid with Higer and that Harris has committed to 150 units across the UK and Ireland in 2026.
Dealership approach is key to customer offer from Harris
While Harris Bus and Coach will have its own central facilities and staff in the UK, regional dealers will play a part in the sale and support process. Some will be drawn from those already working with Harris Group on Maxus light commercial vehicles, but Bill says that other parties have also shown interest.
“Harris has 90 Maxus dealers in the UK. We wanted some of those to come aboard as coach and bus partners but the interest received has surprised us,” he adds. A number of coach operators have also enquired about working with Harris on product support. Around 30 coach companies were represented at the Donington Park event.
At the time of writing, 17 dealers were confirmed as aftersales points and discussions were underway with more. Specialist electricians will also be engaged to underpin products.
Bill notes how since news of Higer’s further targeting of the UK broke in August, momentum has built quickly. In addition to the Donington event, representatives have been in the market engaging with potential buyers. Where a stock vehicle is not right for the customer, lead time on built to order examples is quoted as around six months.
Larger range of vehicles promised for the future
Thoughts have already turned to the longer-term future of Harris and Higer in the UK. Work in 2026 centres on getting vehicles into the market and building the support network, but from 2027 onward, the mutual five-year plan captures range expansion. Beyond that to 2030, autonomous vehicles, environmental, social and governance partnerships, and market consolidation are on the agenda.
On future vehicles, Bill advises that a diesel single-deck bus is planned alongside double-deck products in diesel and battery-electric format. Also on the cards is a 14m V-14E battery-electric coach; he describes that as “a commitment” and notes that 481kWh of energy storage is planned for the model.
Full details of that coach are still to be defined. It is likely to accept a high power when charging, but Bill is a further manufacturer representative to point to infrastructure as being one of the primary blockers to uptake of battery-electric coaches. At present, he notes, scope to charge them is limited – and that constrains sales.
Nevertheless, Higer has already built battery-electric coaches on two axles for other European markets. One of those – a V-12E bound for Iceland – was exhibited at Busworld Brussels in October.
Coach line-up shows promise already
Of the V-10 pair brought to the UK in November, both suit Irish requirements and there will be some minor differences on those that are built for here. Otherwise, they give a good idea of what to expect, and routeone was able to drive one around a brief circuit.
The cab area is modern and the binnacle is tablet based. Switches, the handbrake, other controls and the tachograph unit are broadly well placed, although the steering wheel and column would benefit from greater adjustment for larger drivers.
The 320bhp Cummins engine does well and ride quality is good. Anecdotal feedback from coach operators present at the Donington event also signalled rapid acceptance of the V -Series into the UK if the V-10 is a guide to what to anticipate of pending coach models.
The 12m Azure was also available to drive. It is a standard battery-electric bus; smooth and silent, with immediate pick-up. Unusually, it has a ‘power’ mode that can be selected by the driver. When utilised, there is a noticeable change to performance, but some buyers may seek to have it deactivated.
Positivity around the Harris Bus and Coach work with Higer has spread around the supplier’s staff, who combine longstanding sector experience with wider commercial vehicle knowledge. “Things are looking good, and the team is greatly anticipating the arrival of vehicles and getting them into the market,” says Bill. “There are still some tweaks, but I am confident that we will get to where we need to be.”
