Ilesbus will be among the vehicle builders appearing at Euro Bus Expo. We meet the Turkish couple behind the business and examine what they have planned for the UK market over the coming years
Ilesbus UK is a new name in the minicoach industry that will make its debut at Euro Bus Expo (EBE) on 30 October-1 November. Its history has already been examined; it is partially a transition of the Swansea Coachworks business.
But who are the people behind the Turkish Ilesbus company, what does it do and why do they see such promise here?
The answers to those questions are clear. Ilesbus is based in Bursa, and it was founded by husband and wife team Ilker and Esra Yildirim in 2011.
It moved into its current factory in 2015, but already it is too small. Plans are thus in hand to move to the all-new TechnoZone industrial park that is under development in the city. That will allow production capacity to grow further, to over 500 vehicles per annum.
Currently, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter conversions provide Ilesbus with the majority of its work. One will be on display at EBE, and the manufacturer is able to deliver a bespoke product that uses high-specification fittings.
Playing an increasingly important part of Ilesbus’ business are vehicles on the Iveco Daily chassis. They are coachbuilt, and mounted on the 7,200kg GVW base vehicle. They too offer potential for customisation, and one of them will also be at EBE.
That move into larger vehicles – which will continue with a 12,000kg GVW Mercedes-Benz Atego-based midicoach – is one of the reasons for the planned move from Ilesbus’ current factory, says Esra, who is Managing Director of the company.
“We have various projects involving bigger vehicles. Iveco was the first, and larger, coachbuilt models consume lots more time and space than a Sprinter.”
But Sprinters are destined to remain the centrepiece of the Ilesbus range. Besides its top-line Renaissance conversion, it also offers more cost-effective models suitable for use as school buses. A coachbuilt model is a possibility in the future.
Export-based
Remarkably, Ilesbus has never delivered any vehicles to the Turkish market. It has only dealt with export customers. “When we started, Norway was our biggest source of business. We then established a presence in other countries. Besides the UK, Israel is another new venture,” says Esra.
Ilesbus sees the UK as having promise. The mini and midicoach sector here is competitive, but she believes that there is a niche for its products.
“We are selective in what we do. Our touring vehicles are not cheap or simple models; they are high-quality. That is why we are confident in the UK. Additionally, because we have established a dealership there, aftermarket support will be strong from the start.”
A handful of Ilesbus vehicles have already been placed with UK customers, and the dealership here reports no problems with them. In due course, it expects to put in place a network of support agents as far north as Scotland.
Lean production
Turkey is a centre of component manufacture for the minicoach industry. Ilesbus’ principal seat supply partner, GRL, is based in Bursa and it is a short drive between the two factories.
The distance that Sprinter base vehicles travel is a lot further. As already revealed, they touch the ground in the UK prior to moving to Bursa to ensure their eligibility for a three-year chassis warranty, although they are not driven the 3,300km from South Wales.
In the future stock right-hand drive Sprinters may be kept in Turkey. A further step to expedite the supply process could see them part-converted before an order is received. Should the customer be in urgent need, things can be sped up ever more.
An integral part of the Sprinter conversion process is the availability of an extension. Ilesbus already has a moulding suitable for the new Sprinter, while miniplus was able to examine an extended outgoing version on the production line. The ‘join’ is not visible even before the top coat of paint has been applied. After that finishing process, the extended Sprinter is almost indistinguishable from an ex-factory extra-long wheelbase variant.
Prosperous future?
Ilesbus is confident that its UK arm will succeed. Ownership of the business here is split between the Turkish parent company and brothers Creighton and Gary Johns, who front the sales and backup functions.
In addition, there will be no distraction with full-sized coaches. Ilesbus has no intention to go any bigger than the 38-seat midi that it is currently developing. It views competition in the heavyweight sector as being too strong to justify its entry.
Accessible options will follow across its range in the UK, while between the Vito and the M2 and M3 Sprinter-based models will soon be an M1 example. Built on a 3,500kg vehicle, it will seat eight passengers with a sliding side door.
“Our strategy in the UK is to build slowly while establishing our brand. Allowing customers to see the quality of our product is important. That is the priority for the first 12 months, combined with the establishment of service centres,” says Esra.
Plans are already well in hand for the new Sprinter, and development of the already-revealed showroom in South Wales is continuing. Ilesbus may well soon be a challenger.
