The long and winding Van Hool saga may finally have some light at the end of the tunnel. Delivery of new coaches – delayed, but now at least starting to arrive – has recommenced, and there is a good, albeit unconfirmed, indication that the future Van Hool coach line-up under VDL ownership will be more extensive than had been anticipated.
If the Van Hool T range is retained largely intact by VDL, as is now being strongly hinted, that will be a big positive for buyers that need vehicles in its class. Previously it was suggested that in a worst-case scenario, the T could be dropped in its entirety. Change elsewhere has reduced options at the top of the market, which is where Van Hool has long excelled.
One operator active in that sphere says that the mood music now coming from those close to Van Hool is welcome and leaves them “a lot more confident” in the future of the marque. VDL is keeping its cards close to its chest, as it has done since its involvement with Van Hool commenced, but formal word of its plans is expected.
Should good news for the Van Hool T range come, it will be a boon for the coach industry. Ongoing constraints on new vehicle supply for several OEMs are well known, albeit there is an indication that some loosening of those chains is underway.
More stock coming into the market will be thus welcome, although the future of the older Van Hool EX range is far from clear. It is a direct competitor with VDL’s own range of coaches.
But against this backdrop of seeming green shoots are other aspects of the Van Hool collapse that continue to linger and rankle with those affected, and which will not go away easily.
Loss of deposits placed with the soon-to-be-dissolved Van Hool UK is a point of consternation for some operators involved, while sympathy for those buyers with part-built coaches stuck in limbo in Belgium – which are understood to still be owned by the court-appointed curators of Van Hool for now – is abundant.
Those factors, while not of VDL’s direct concern, will need to factor into brand recovery for the Van Hool marque if it is to fully regain, or retain, its cachet. If what is being heard is correct, there is every possibility of that happening – but these are baby steps so far, and there is a long road ahead. VDL, at least, seems to recognise that.
