Joint organisers Temsa Sales UK (TSUK) and Ilesbus UK reported a strong showing at the Coachfest event, which held at TSUK’s Cleckheaton site on 23 and 24 August.
The gathering included a large amount of used stock along with a display of heritage coaches provided by operators and preservationists. Various new vehicles from the Ilesbus and Temsa ranges were on show and the event also played host to a number of supplier stalls, with the relaxed atmosphere assisted by the presence of food and refreshments.
For the latter, a 1952 Bedford MLC with Lee Motors body was on hand to act as a ‘bar bus’, while among other heritage vehicles in more traditional roles was a 1984 Drögmöller E330 Comet of Leicester operator G H Watts, which is unique in the UK.
Opening the event in the presence of a Temsa HD12 used as the Leeds Rhinos RLFC team coach were players Richie Myler and Max Simpson, who attended alongside club mascot Ronnie the Rhino.
A charity raffle took place, which succeeded in raising £3,000 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association. Prizes were donated by suppliers in attendance, with the top two among those being a pair of all-inclusive holidays to Turkey care of Ilesbus UK. The lucky winners there were Robbie Prentice of operator Prentice Westwood, and Simon Matthews of Close Brothers Vehicle Hire.
Short-notice organisation delivered for Coachfest, says Temsa
Temsa Regional Sales Manager Paul Gardner notes that TSUK and Ilesbus UK are pleased by the response to Coachfest, and particularly given its rapid organisation was completed in four weeks. A large display of used coaches and buses succeeded in drawing 45 sales, with many operators present examining that stock in an indication of further recovering market health.
Both vehicle manufacturers represented also report buoyant interest in new coaches, which continues to rebound rapidly. Ilesbus UK displayed six vehicles at Coachfest and Director Creighton Jones notes that the dealership is seeing rapid growth. That leaves it seeking new premises in South Wales, with a hope that any such move is concluded within 18 months.
A large number of Iveco Daily and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter base vehicles are on order for 2024, with Creighton observing that 33-seat and PSVAR options on Daily-based midicoaches are proving to be popular. The I-City Max low-entry midibus, also on the Daily, is additionally performing well.
Meanwhile, the first battery-electric right-hand drive I-City Max is currently under test at Ilesbus’s factory in Turkey with an expected arrival in the UK of October. A battery-electric I-City, which uses the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter as a base, will follow, before attention later turns to offering battery-electric in small coaches, he continues.
When the premises move is completed, Ilesbus UK expects to commence an element of vehicle conversion and completion here, Creighton reports. That reflects a desire to capitalise on demand for simple and straightforward minibuses. As an indication of existing expansion in offering, Ilesbus’s first battery-electric Mercedes-Benz V-Class was on show.
Temsa rebirth in the UK gathering further steam with buyers
For the reborn Temsa operation in the UK, business is strong. TSUK will deliver 75 new coaches in 2023 and it is currently negotiating 2024’s order with the manufacturer, although 30 for January and February next year are confirmed – and already sold.
Multiple new examples were on hand at Cleckheaton awaiting delivery with 73-plate registrations. Among those recipients will be Ava Coach, D&E Coaches, Mervyn’s Coaches, Portsmouth City Coaches, Procters Coaches, Ross Travel, and South Staffs Travel.
Paul Gardner notes that introduction of the HD13 into the UK has been highly successful. The two-axle, 13m model now accounts for more sales than the smaller MD9 and HD12 combined, with its 57-seat capacity and optional PSVAR compliance ticking many boxes. Hitting the ground running has placed the UK dealership in good stead with the OEM.
“We don’t want to slow down,” says Paul. “We want Temsa to see the UK as one of its top three markets in western Europe.” That is further aided by the holding of £400,000 worth of parts, including glass, at Cleckheaton.
Coachfest results show buoyant market, Ilesbus and Temsa report
While the HD13 has been added to the Temsa range in the UK, work to grow the product offering has not stopped there. Introduction of the LD SB – which stands for low deck school bus – is well advanced and Paul is confident that it will arrive here in due course.
The LD SB is likely to suit up to a 74-seat layout in 3+2 configuration. “We are actively looking at this as the next model to add to the range,” Paul explains. A customer evaluation process will begin soon. Powertrain options are still being explored; while the DAF MX-11 engine is on the table, he notes that use of an alternative, smaller unit is possible to reduce costs.
News of that likely development, along with buoyant used sales at Coachfest, a strong supplier showing and a well-received social side, leaves further hope that the coach sector will continue its recovery during 2024.
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