The opening of a new coach and bus sales showroom is a rare event; even more so when it includes an extensive pre-delivery inspection (PDI) facility and workshop, together with offices and a large external concrete hardstanding.
But, in an act of confidence – both in the Yutong product and the state of the UK economy – Castleford-based Pelican Bus and Coach has done just this.
Big investment
In a £1.5m investment, the family-owned firm which turns 100 next year, has turned an empty plot of land close to its existing DAF and MAN dealerships, into a bespoke site for its growing coach and bus business.
Before 150 invited guests – almost a ‘who’s who’ of the coaching industry – the complex was officially opened by Jin Xu, Minister Councillor for Economic and Commercial Development at the Chinese Embassy in the UK.
Speaking at the opening, Yutong Vice-President, Kent Chang, who is in charge of overseas sales, said: “Five years ago I had a dream to do something in the UK. Now, that dream is reality.”
Thanking Pelican for its investment and partnership, he added that there will be more to come in the future – a direct reference to the product development now underway – that includes the newly arrived 10.8m E10 electric bus on display in the showroom.
Confidence in UK
Speaking to routeone, Pelican MD Richard Crump admitted that having completed the design and planning process for the new showroom and PDI centre in 2016, he decided to pause before starting construction to see what the effect of the Brexit vote would be on the economy.
Despite the currency fluctuations following the leave vote, he says that it is a “mark of confidence” in the UK market by Pelican that it has now gone ahead with the investment.
“I’m absolutely delighted. We’re beginning our fourth full year with Yutong, and they are totally committed to Pelican and the UK market.
“We are very successful in the midi-coach sector, and now we’re looking at the forthcoming GT12,” the 12m coach that was unveiled at Busworld, Belgium last year.
“A more modern coach in the 12m sector, replacing the TC12, will enable us to expand that market.”
He says that because of the rear axle weight staying at 11.5t – after the UK government decided not to increase axle weights when it raised the gross permissible weight of coaches last year – it will now be 12.3m, seating 53 with a toilet or 55 without.
By comparison, the French model will be 13.2m, as it has adopted the 13t rear axle weight. This compromise is something that all coach manufacturers supplying the UK now face, after the unexpected decision by former transport minister Andrew Jones.
Growing market
There are now 300 Yutong coaches on the road in the UK. Significantly, all are with small operators, meaning that the vehicles’ spread is UK wide, and sales targets are realistic, rather than being skewed by large orders, adds Richard.
“This year we’re hoping to make a step change from about 90 vehicles a year to around 150.”
This will be driven by take-up of the electric bus “we’re hoping to take orders for about 40-50 this year.” The first half of the year will be about proving the product in London.
The GT12 will be available to view at the factory in August “and we’re hoping people will have enough confidence in Pelican and Yutong, to order it then.”
The UK launch of the GT12 will take place at this year’s Euro Bus Expo at Birmingham’s NEC on 30 October-1 November.
Site capabilities
The immediate focus is getting the best from the new site. The first vehicles arrived a few days before the official opening, with it entering full swing immediately afterwards.
The 12,000 sq ft building has four engineering bays with capacity for eight vehicles, plus a showroom bay, all accessed by roller shutter doors.
The showroom holds two or three vehicles, meaning that there will always be something to see. “We’ve always got something in stock, so there will always vehicles on display that we can show people,” says Richard.
As well as a fully-equipped workshop with Totalkare vehicle lifts and a vehicle-roof access platform, it provides a clean, modern facility in which to prepare vehicles prior to delivery.
Other facilities, such as tachograph calibration, rolling road brake tester and Authorised Testing Facility (testing four days a week) are already 100 metres away at Pelican’s DAF dealership, so it makes no sense to duplicate these.
The 1.3-acre site is landscaped to the front, with a large concrete hardstanding at the rear. And, helping the local economy the construction was carried out by a local family firm, John O’Malley Construction.
Meanwhile, an adjacent conference and banqueting suite provided a full hot lunch for the guests.
Total commitment
“If I wasn’t utterly confident in the engineering ability of the manufacturer, and its commitment to us and the UK market, I wouldn’t have staked our shareholders money in the new site,” says Richard.
“A lot of customers have put their faith in Pelican and come with us. Now we need to show that we are now separate from the truck business.
“The truck business has been a fabulous base to get off the ground, as we started on day one with all the technical capabilities.”
It was also significant that DAF – which powers the 12m TC12 coach – was at the official opening, while there was also a strong presence from Cummins, whose engines power the TC9 midicoach.
Also at the event was Bruce Archer of Central Motors, who as Pelican’s Irish partner, provides support in Ireland.
This is important not only for coach operators, but also as at “some point we hope to win electric bus business in Dublin,” says Richard.
Electric plans
Pride of place in the showroom was a London-specification 10.8m E10 elelctric bus. This follows the 12m version that Pelican has been demonstrating for around a year. This month the 10.8m starts trials in London, initially with Arriva, before moving to Go-Ahead.
With orders due to be placed for more electric buses, it’s not surprising that Go-Ahead – the London operator with the most experience of electric buses in the capital – is running comparative trials with buses from all the manufacturers. “Naturally, we are very keen to participate in the trial,” says Richard.
“We’ve had some form of discussion with every London operator, and a number around the country.
“The beauty of the E10 is while it’s the first in London spec, Yutong has already got 50,000 running with the same driveline. If you look at the 12m, it’s been very, very reliable.
“I don’t think people understand all the implications of electric buses, as there’s a 20-30% maintenance saving straightaway. In terms of parts and labour in maintenance that’s an unexpected bonus yet to come, that people haven’t quite factored into a purchase decision. It will cost less to maintain.”
The Yutong electric bus has already ben through First’s bespoke Millbrook trials, where it showed “excellent fuel economy” in terms of kWh per km. “All the indications are good. The 10.8m is almost 1.25t lighter than the 12m, thanks to being shorter, but also having some weight designed out of it.”
Come and visit
While electric buses are interest to a specific group of operators, it is the midicoach and full-size vehicles that will occupy the space at Castleford for most of the time.
Richard extends an open invitation to any operator to come and visit. “We’re here, we’re open, the kettle’s always on.”
And, as the site is handily just off Junction 31 on the M62, that’s an invitation that many operators will find hard to resist.
Visit www.pelicanyutong.co.uk
