The coach market is set to become yet more competitive in 2018 when Chinese builder Ankai arrives in the UK with its 12m A9. It’s also talking about adding a midicoach and some double-decker buses later
Chinese giant Ankai has confirmed that it will enter the UK and Irish coach and bus market in 2018, with the first example of its 12m Cummins-powered A9 coach set to arrive here early next year.
It’s the culmination of a five-year journey back into Europe and the A9 will represent excellent value, Ankai says. It’s likely that further models will follow, including a midicoach and two- and three-axle double-decker buses.
A left-hand drive A9 will appear at Busworld Kortrijk in October, and Ankai – which has employed consultants to help it crack the UK and Ireland – says that its appearance will signify an opening of the order book for right-hand drive A9s.
“The coach at Busworld should be viewed as a development model. We want operators to look at it and then talk to us. Ankai is committed to establishing a presence in Europe and it wants to learn from buyers,” says one of the consultants.
Much work has gone into giving the A9 a European look and images show that it has a wholly different appearance to other Chinese coaches.
Ankai’s European aspirations have the backing of a business that produces 30,000 vehicles per year. It also promises one of the best-value products on the market. Additionally, work has already started on premises in the Sheffield City Region.
Will it become the second Chinese manufacturer to be reckoned with in the UK?
First to arrive: The A9
The first example of the striking-looking A9 for the UK will enter production at Ankai’s Hefei plant within the next six weeks. Ankai describes the A9 as an all-purpose model that is suited to a variety of work. It is a new product and its 400bhp, 8.9-litre Cummins ISL engine will drive through a ZF EcoLife gearbox. Cummins is Ankai’s favoured power unit supplier for European vehicles, and all of the engines that it uses will be built at Darlington.
Seating capacities have yet to be revealed for the A9, but Ankai and its representatives have confirmed that significant work has gone into making it suitable for European buyers.
“From the Chairman downwards, there is a huge focus on ensuring that both quality and consistency are there,” says the consultant, who has visited Hefei on numerous occasions. Lots of work has also been done to ensure corrosion resistance, and the body frame makes its way through a cataphoretic dipping process prior to fitting out.”
The A9 at Busworld will be accompanied by an aluminium-bodied double-decker bus, and Ankai is exploring zero-emission drivelines in the latter segment.
As a pan-European coach, the A9 will be certified via the EC Whole Vehicle Type Approval process. As and when they arrive, other models will receive Individual Vehicle Approval, and one of them looks set to have particular appeal.
What comes next?
Ankai’s UK representatives are already talking of adding a 9.4m rear-engined midicoach seating up to 39 passengers, subject to customer demand.
The manufacturer currently builds the midi in both integral and body-on-chassis form. It will decide later which of the two may come to the UK, but the integral looks most likely.
Additionally, there is also potential to stretch the as-yet unnamed midi to 10.1m, which would give a maximum of 43 seats. Power is likely to be from a Cummins ISB6.7 engine rated at 320bhp coupled to a ZF EcoLife gearbox.
Also being talked about seriously for the UK is the double-decker range. Ankai sees a niche for higher-specification models that are suitable for private hire duties, and it is exploring zero-emission options.
Backing up the product
Besides work on vehicle specifications, Ankai is well advanced in creating a support mechanism. Building work on its base in South Yorkshire is underway, and it is committed to holding an extensive range of spare parts there.
In the earlier days of Chinese products in the UK, some operators had a less than satisfactory experience of backup. Ankai is aware of that, and it will have a mobile support network in place along with a 24/7 call centre.
“We believe that Ankai has a highly-competitive package,” says the consultant. “Vehicles will have a proven, European driveline and a great deal of time and money is going into the support network.
“We have ensured that Ankai’s people in China know the importance of the latter and they are confident that there is a successful future for it here.”
routeone comment
That a further Chinese manufacturer now has the UK and Ireland in its sights is not a huge surprise.
Ankai has spent a number of years analysing the market and talking to operators. The A9 is a new product that it says will fit into the all-purpose segment, with a competitive price tag to go with it.
Interestingly, Ankai has observed the behaviour and experiences of other Chinese marques here, and it intends to hit the ground running. Quality and support are king, it says, and potential buyers will no doubt be watching closely when the first Ankai coach arrives.
What it then needs to do is back up its words and do what it says it will. If it does, it stands a good chance of success.
