Ilesbus UK will bring a coachbuilt minicoach on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter base vehicle to market over coming months. The first of those are on the Ilesbus production line in Turkey and the model will sit next to conversions including the Vegas (pictured) and the Harmony.
Work on the thus far unnamed product complements a move to much larger premises for Ilesbus UK. Previously based near Bridgend in a 5,000 square feet building, it recently moved to a Swansea location that is four times larger at 20,000 square feet.
Both developments come as the dealer says it continues to see strong sales across its produce range from VIP specification Mercedes-Benz Vito conversions to the 33-seat Glance on an Iveco Daily chassis.
In the Daily field, the battery-electric e-City – launched by Ilesbus at Busworld Brussels in 2023 – will gain prominence shortly and interest in that product is growing rapidly, says Ilesbus UK Director Gary Johns.
Of the new coachbuilt Sprinter minicoach, the first two to be built by Ilesbus are in right-hand drive. It will offer up to 22 seats in the model, but Mr Johns says that lower capacities will be available with various fittings including tables and other extras.
“We had been asked by customers about a coachbuilt Sprinter product, so this new model is based on that demand,” he continues.
Mr Johns was speaking at the UK Coach Rally in Blackpool over the weekend of 12 and 13 April. There Ilesbus UK showed examples of its Daily- and Sprinter-based products including the Glance, Harmony and Vegas small coaches and the I-City low-entry minibus.
Work on the new Swansea premises has been in hand for some time. Significant expansion to parts space has come with the move, while an eight-bay workshop is part of the fit-out. All are equipped with vehicle lifts.
“We have grown over the years, and we need the right premises to support the increasing number of vehicles we have in the market,” continues Mr Johns.
In other product news, Ilesbus recently completed a second batch of MAN TGE-based low-entry minibuses for use as public light buses in Hong Kong. Mr Johns sees scope to use the TGE in the UK if customer demand requires.
For Iveco-based products, the South Wales dealership recently reached agreement with the vehicle manufacturer to take greater control of warranty claims for those chassis. As a result, the processing of such claims from customers should become faster.
