Lancashire minicoach and minibus dealership David Fishwick is continuing to grow its range by opening an exclusive partnership with Turkish converter Arobus for the supply of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter-based products. That will deliver what the UK supplier says is a range of such models to satisfy multiple use cases here.
Higher-end offerings are within that, with Fishwick Dealer Principal Matt Eames adding an aspiration that a simple vehicle for school transport will be the second bookend. Straightforward minicoaches are in the middle, and the first two products of the partnership are 16-seat examples in that field at 5,000kg GVW. The 5,500kg Sprinter variant will follow in early 2027.
Arobus says it is the largest among Turkish Sprinter converters in both volume and turnover. In left-hand drive, it delivers an extensive catalogue of products based on the Mercedes-Benz vehicle, including for sectors including the ambulance market. It also works with other base models, although the Sprinter is dominant.
There is no plan to bring the entire Arobus Sprinter range to the UK, but Matt outlines how those that are selected will complement the established Fishwick portfolio. The Colne business counts parties including coach operators, schools, community transport organisations and taxi businesses among its customers.
Starting prices for the Arobus range will initially run from around ÂŁ90,000 to ÂŁ100,000 plus VAT, although a potential school-configuration model would be below that. Various options beyond standard specifications will influence final figures, with items such as leather upholstery, power door, drop boot upgrades, access for wheelchair users and more in the toolbox.
With the exception of a powered plug door for right-hand drive application, most such extras are part of the established Arobus offering. Others would be fitted here. The first of its Sprinters for the UK with a power door was complete in Turkey in early July; a pair of examples shipped before that retain hinged passenger entry.
In the large Turkish market, Arobus products on Sprinter are sold directly by Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle dealers. “That is the biggest stamp of approval we can get,” says representative Ozgur Sahin, who is working with both the converter and Fishwick on the collaboration.
Steady start for Arobus partnership in Sprinter minicoach field
The opening two arrivals are proof-of-concept minicoaches. Some aspects will thus differ on production examples for the UK. An example of that is placement of the fridge; on the early vehicles it is next to the driver and removable if required, but subsequently it will be located under the dash.
Build is completed in Turkey through a factory that Ozgur describes as “streamlined” and which turns over significant volume, although David Fishwick expects to carry out work such as fitment of body kit and auxiliary saloon heater itself on production vehicles as required.
The accessible market is not expected to be core to the partnership, but a configuration with space for two wheelchair users will be offered. It will not be to a trim level to suit local authority use, but will instead leverage the minicoach application.
There is no intention for any extension work to be carried out behind the rear axle. Such a practice falls outside Arobus’s established production policies that are monitored and authorised by Mercedes-Benz through the converter’s position as a strategic partner of the OEM. Vehicles coming here will have GB type approval, which Fishwick says is a key part of its decision to work with Arobus.
Feedback on opening models sought by dealership
“Over the next 12 months we are looking to bring in examples of each of the variants that we plan to offer,” Matt explains. “Our Arobus portfolio will build as we gain feedback from customers.
“The expectation is to receive two vehicles per month in 2027. Although we are still at the early stages of the partnership, it is well mapped out, and we both know where we are going.” UK-based Ozgur is key to liaison between the organisations.
Both Arobus Sprinters delivered to the UK so far are finished in white, but the next batch – expected in September – will include a variety of colours. Body skirts will be optional alongside the colour-coded plastics and exterior brightwork as depicted. The proof-of-concept pair are otherwise to a general Western European specification.
A layout of 16 seats and courier is standard for Arobus, although 19 passenger positions will be available on the 5,500kg GVW base. The 517CDi Sprinter is standard, and the more powerful 519CDi is optional. The 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic gearbox will be used as standard, with a six-speed manual available to customer order.
Sprinter qualities shine through on Arobus conversions
Sege reclining seats are in the pilot vehicles, with Fishwick having worked with those for a long time on UK-converted vehicles. One of the Arobus minicoaches was examined by routeone; each position is trimmed in synthetic leather in a black and grey format. Diamond stitching is included along with side flaps and three-point belts, and armrests at aisle positions.
Wood-effect flooring in a matching tone is fitted. As delivered, the sunken aisle was not carpeted, but that is in hand, as is the same treatment for the boot. Curtains further complement the seat trim, while overhead luggage racks – which include passenger service units on their undersides – are in a lighter hue to give an OEM-like finish.
Magazine nets and drop-down tables are present along with USB charging. A reasonably sized boot is included, albeit not yet with the drop layout upgrade but with a full-height bulkhead. To a 16-seat layout, legroom is thus good for a vehicle in its class. Other fitments include mood lighting and diamond stitched side panels below the windows. The sill has downlighting.
The driver’s seat is trimmed to match passenger positions. Three steps are required to reach the platform, while side glazing has a dark tint. A Webasto roof-mounted saloon air-conditioning unit is at the rear. Heating is via convector radiators.
“We will take guidance from potential buyers on scope for items such as full-size tables,” says Matt. Those are among items that likely will be installed in the UK by Fishwick as part of a wide range of bespoke elements. That will allow a buyer “to tailor the base vehicle as needed while keeping overseas production streamlined and giving options to pull from UK stock for reduced lead times,” he adds.
A brief drive of one of the proof-of-concept minicoaches showed that it has the usual Sprinter qualities, with a refined driveline and low noise levels, although the decision to move the fridge from the left of the cab seat on future arrivals is wise. Of the ballpark pricing figure given above, it sits at around the midpoint.
Partnership to grow in coming months, dealer says
Support for Arobus products by Fishwick involves a minimum three-year warranty for the base vehicle and conversion. That will use a combination of Mercedes-Benz and third-party UK coverage to allow use of main dealers, with backing from Fishwick.
Body parts, including glass, will be held by Fishwick. Arobus does not utilise panoramic windscreens or side glazing, instead retaining the OEM openings to simplify maintenance and ensure base chassis integrity is retained, it says.
In the early stages of the collaboration, work is ongoing to define a specification for stock minicoaches to be held in Lancashire and complement those built to order.
That will reflect Fishwick’s longstanding position of seeking to work with vehicles it supplies new across their lifetimes, potentially taking them back via part-exchange multiple times for remarketing as approved used with known provenance and the option of extended warranty coverage. The tactic has been successful in other areas, and Matt believes it will do the same on the Arobus front.
“That requires us to establish favoured configurations and their residual values,” he continues. Burnley Savings and Loans (commonly known as the Bank of Dave and owned by dealership proprietor David Fishwick) can offer finance, leasing and contract hire options on the new models with high levels of flexibility thanks to alignment between the two businesses.
Potential UK buyers will get the chance to see the Arobus product for themselves at Euro Bus Expo at the NEC Birmingham on 3-5 November. Two minicoaches will be present, one in the halls and another outside.
Each will seat 16, with synthetic or real leather upholstery, a powered plug door or standard entry, and a drop or standard boot. They are from the six arrivals due in September, reflecting the measured approach to building volumes.
“The first year is about listening to customers and defining the product range between ourselves and Arobus,” Matt continues. “We expect to work up to c.24 Sprinters per year from 2027 onwards, with significant scalability in the partnership. We will look at larger fleet sales once the core range is established and available in the UK.”
Orders are now being taken, with a demonstrator available. Test drives are offered, either in Lancashire or on-site with operators throughout the UK on an appointment basis. That will act as a starting point from which a tailored specification can be created “from the chassis upwards.”
