Delivery of new Van Hool coaches to UK buyers has restarted amid growing suggestions that VDL – which purchased parts of Van Hool’s coach and bus business out of bankruptcy in June – will continue production of more models from that range than had been expected.
Woods Coaches of Tillicoultry has received an EX trio, and Bibby’s of Ingleton a T15 Alicron. They are the first Van Hools to arrive in the UK since a T16 Astron for DJ Thomas Coaches during April.
It is understood that several further new Van Hools are due imminently. Meanwhile, sources close to the marque have said that more T range variants are set to be retained by VDL in the long-term than had previously been anticipated.
That is backed up by communication direct to operators, although in response to routeone, VDL says that it has “not yet made decisions on what Van Hool’s product range will look like,” noting that the Dutch OEM continues to take “time and space” to reach a conclusion.
During the summer, several buyers were advised that some or all members of the T range would be dropped by VDL, with a best-case scenario floated of only those that will not compete with its forthcoming Futura 3 being retained alongside the established Altano overdecker and Astromega double-decker. VDL did not comment on those reports.
However, it has now been indicated to multiple customers that other T variants – possibly including two-axle models – will remain in production at the former Van Hool plant in North Macedonia.
One source believes that VDL has taken onboard the versatility of the T range and its ability to suit many use cases. Preparation of the coaches under delivery is being undertaken at VDL Bus and Coach UK’s premises in Barnsley.
The seeming change of tack is also said to include the T16 Astron tri-axle. Another buyer was previously advised that it had been dropped, but that looks to no longer be the case and it is expected to continue. An operator awaiting delivery of Van Hool product says that recent developments have left them “a lot more confident” in the marque’s future under VDL.
The vehicles supplied to Woods include the first EX15M and EX11H examples with Allison automatic gearboxes. One 49-seat EX15M and two EX11Hs have been delivered. All are highly specified with leather seats and much else, with the EX11H pair each coming with a small kitchen and four tables.
Bibby’s T15 Alicron is a 49/53-seater with a demountable toilet and a ZF EcoLife automatic gearbox. It also has a camera monitoring system in lieu of mirrors. All four coaches for Woods and Bibby’s are powered by the DAF MX-11 engine.
Meanwhile, two part-complete T coaches for Parrys International remain in limbo at the former Van Hool factory in Belgium. They did not form part of the VDL purchase.
Managing Director Dave Parry says that those vehicles are thus still the property of the court-appointed curators of Van Hool, but he will soon visit the Koningshooikt plant – which is used by VDL for some non-manufacturing purposes – in a bid to gain clarity on their future.
Separately, a First Gazette notice for Van Hool UK to be struck off the register of companies and dissolved was laid on 17 September. Those steps will progress unless cause to the contrary is shown. After completion, all property and rights vested in or held in trust for Van Hool UK will be deemed bona vacantia and belong to the Crown.
Three members of the Van Hool family remain directors of Van Hool UK. The curators previously said that those individuals were not cooperating with attempts to wind up the Wellingborough business. It remains the case that any deposits paid to Van Hool UK are lost.
