Irizar UK and Dawsongroup Bus and Coach have embarked on a relationship that will see the dealership and the rental, hire and leasing specialist jointly supply integral coaches from the Spanish manufacturer.
Ely-based Greys and Woods Travel of Bognor Regis are the first operators to benefit from the agreement, with each taking an i6 integral. Irizar UK Sales Director Julie Hartley describes the approach as “a triangular relationship” between the two suppliers and the customer.
Four further i6 integral coaches will follow under the partnership, with two due later this year and the others late in 2025. Mrs Hartley notes that while the order with Irizar UK is placed by Dawsongroup, scope is in play to engage flexibly with the ultimate customer in agreeing a specification, and that the two suppliers’ sales teams work together to deliver it.
While the i6 integral makes up initial procurement via the collaboration, Mrs Hartley does not rule out expanding it to other members of the Irizar integral coach range should that suit all parties.
“Irizar has always prided itself on adapting vehicles to suit the customer and Dawsongroup recognises that,” she continues. “With more coaches coming in the future, we can work proactively with Dawsongroup to place them in a timely manner to be able to continue this approach.”
Dawsongroup Bus and Coach Sales Director Fraser Innes says that the supplier is “delighted” to be working with Irizar UK on the supply of the Greys and Woods Travel coaches. He notes that both vehicles have been configured to suit the customers’ needs, and that the Woods coach represents “a rental solution that matched the needs of [Woods’] business.”
Each i6 integral supplied under the partnership is a restyled variant. That work was done by Irizar some months ago and is described as a minor refresh to bring the long-established i6 visually into line with the i6S and i8 models and the restyled i4.
Change is limited to the front and the rear of the i6. Mrs Hartley adds that the evergreen model is still in demand from some buyers. It also retains popularity in southern European markets.
