A pair of part-built Van Hool T17 Astron coaches for Parrys International that have been marooned at the manufacturer’s former plant in Belgium are shortly to move to the VDL Van Hool factory in North Macedonia for completion.
Those vehicles have been in limbo for around seven months. They have stood untouched since bankruptcy of Van Hool and the subsequent purchase of some of its coach and bus undertakings by VDL. Parrys Managing Director Dave Parry has now agreed with VDL that the Van Hool pair will move to North Macedonia for assembly to restart.
They are expected to be transported during week commencing 28 October and Mr Parry is hopeful that they will be delivered to the UK in early 2025. Some fittings will be installed by AD Coach Systems after arrival here.
Resolution for the matter follows VDL confirming that it will continue to manufacture some members of the Van Hool T range in North Macedonia. Further part-completed Van Hool coaches for one other UK operator are understood to also be in Belgium.
In addition, Mr Parry has ordered at least four more T17 Astrons for 2025 delivery. Parrys has also confirmed two Neoplan Tourliners in a return to that brand for the Cheslyn Hay operator after over a decade away. The Tourliners will be to a bespoke specification for Parrys “with the option for more,” says Mr Parry.
Arriving at a solution for the unfinished coaches has “been a bit more difficult than we thought with complications, but we got there in the end,” he adds.
Work on those vehicles in North Macedonia will see them completed on an assembly line rather than the individual basis previously utilised by Van Hool in Koningshooikt. “There are exciting times ahead,” continues Mr Parry.
Separately, VDL has underlined to customers that it will continue the Van Hool T15 Acron, T16 Astron and T17 Astron models in right-hand drive, along with the TDX21 Altano overdecker and the TDX27 Astromega double-decker.
In a letter to those parties, VDL Van Hool CEO Marc van Doorn says that the business is “proudly and passionately producing Van Hool coaches,” with approximately 250 former Van Hool employees on hand in Koningshookt – where an aftersales service point will be launched this year – and around 1,300 staff in North Macedonia.
A decision on the Van Hool models that will continue under VDL ownership came after “a careful evaluation of the coach range,” says Mr van Doorn. He adds that coaches that were in build in North Macedonia before the Van Hool bankruptcy will be finished in agreement with customers.
