VDL has quickly followed the global debut of its Futura 3 coach in late 2025 with delivery of the first customer examples, which have gone to operators in the Netherlands.
De Baar Touringcars of Wemeldinge in Zeeland and Kupers Touringcars of Weert in Limburg are the opening buyers, with four coaches in total for those operators. One of the examples for De Baar will be presented at a later date as part of the business’s centenary celebrations in 2026.
All of the four are 12.9m examples and their handover comes after the Futura 3 made its long-awaited first showing at Busworld Brussels in 2025. Prior to that, VDL confirmed that the Futura 3 will be built in right-hand drive and is expected to come to the UK in 2027.
Speaking about the opening deliveries in the manufacturer’s home market, VDL Bus Group Managing Director Marc van Doorn (pictured top, centre) says: “With the first vehicles now delivered to customers, the VDL Futura 3 is entering the next phase of practical operation.
“Coach operators can now deploy the vehicles in their daily operations, while passengers will start experiencing the latest generation of the Futura on the road.”
The Futura 3 majors on reduced fuel consumption compared to its predecessor the Futura 2. That has been achieved by a combination of weight reduction, optimised aerodynamics and other technologies to give what the manufacturer claims is a saving of up to 15%.
Also core to the new model is readiness for future updates – including potential alternative drivelines – and improved system accessibility to reduce repair and maintenance costs.
Speaking about the handover, Kupers Touringcars Managing Director Bert Fonteijn (pictured top, right) says: “For Kupers Touringcars, quality and reliability have been at the heart of our business for generations.
“Being among the first customers to take delivery of the new VDL Futura 3 – and even the very first to put it into operation – makes us proud. The vehicle fits perfectly with our ambitions in terms of comfort, safety, efficiency, and sustainability. We look forward to welcoming our customers on board this new generation of the Futura on a daily basis.”
