Interest in Ilesbus small coaches and luxury people carrier-type vehicles continues to be strong, with a small Mercedes-Benz Sprinter M1 luxury conversion (pictured) in the latter field among popular products, Ilesbus UK Director Creighton Johns said at Euro Bus Expo.
That product uses three-abreast seating and it is popular among small executive groups. Purchases often come from coach operators that see an opportunity for diversification via those customers, and the M1 VIP complements larger Sprinter and Iveco Daily-based products from Ilesbus, where sales remain buoyant.
Mr Johns adds that Ilesbus has built some products on MAN TGE base vehicles for other markets via its position as an approved MAN partner. There are as yet no plans to bring TGE-based small PSVs to the UK although it is not ruled out should the market dictate.
Ilesbus UK hopes to grow its market share further in 2025, with good base vehicle availability for the Daily and Sprinter. Zero-emission products in both fields have made progress although Mr Johns acknowledges the ‘slow burn’ nature of battery-electric technology.
Like some other manufacturers’ representatives, he adds that with uncertainty around the PSVAR review, uptake of accessibility on Daily-based products from Ilesbus has slowed as operators hedge their bets for the future.
The vehicle supplier otherwise reported strong vehicle orders placed at Euro Bus Expo as demand for small coaches continues to be high.
