Work by Scania to reshape its global coach and bus business will have little impact on the UK for the short- to medium-term, although the OEM “will need to realign our future UK strategy, which we are in the process of doing,” a spokesperson has said.
Scania announced change to its coach and bus arm in late May, citing slow recovery from the pandemic and upcoming requirements to invest in new technology as reasons. In an echo of a decision confirmed by Volvo in March, Scania will cease body production in Poland, where a plant at Słupsk currently manufactures and bodies bus chassis.
Head of Sales and Marketing Stefano Fedel said at the time of the announcement that the OEM needs “an updated strategy that enables us to deliver on our customer promise and secures a profitable business globally.”
In a further echo of Volvo’s revised partnership-based approach to coach and bus, Scania says that it will continue to offer complete vehicles “in increased cooperation with selected bodybuilders and partners.”
Such an approach has already proved successful – particularly in the UK, where the 30-year relationship with Irizar continues to flourish – and it will now be further developed, Mr Fedel continues.
Coach and bus will continue be important for the Swedish OEM, he adds. The updated strategy for that part of its business “will support Scania’s customer promise to be a global trusted partner for complete solutions.”
Key to the new roadmap for coach and bus will be what Scania describes as “a leaner structure to improve speed and flexibility.” That will see the end of production of the Citywide bus – which has never come to the UK – and the Interlink range, which ceased sale here some time ago. Fully low-floor chassis will also be discontinued.
“Consequently, Scania has decided to close down the part of the plant in Słupsk, Poland, that is producing bodies for Scania chassis,” the business says. “Body production will be gradually ended by Q1 2024. This decision will not affect chassis production in Słupsk, nor other Scania entities in Poland.”
