VDL Van Hool used Euro Bus Expo to engage with UK coach customers of both marques, and at the same time detailed work it is doing on shaping the sales and support function for Van Hool coaches as that brand reestablishes itself.
Present were a T16 Astron for Stephen Offord Coaches and a TDX21 Altano. VDL Bus and Coach UK Managing Director Darren Dowsett says that Van Hool parts will continue to be dispatched from Belgium and that operators here should follow that route.
On sales of Van Hool coaches, Mr Dowsett adds that Van Hool staff in Belgium “are working closely with the VDL Bus and Coach UK team.” UK buyers can now speak directly to the VDL business here about Van Hool enquiries, with the two groups of representatives working closely to support each other in that sales process.
Further clarity on those arrangements follows VDL previously sharing what Van Hool models it will continue to build in right-hand drive. That will see the two-axle T15 Acron and the tri-axle T16 Astron and T17 Astron continue to be supplied here alongside the TDX21 Altano overdecker and the TDX27 Astromega double-decker.
On VDL coaches, Mr Dowsett says that an additional 30 Futura FHD2 models made available in right-hand drive have all been sold, with the last to be built in Q1 2025.
With the pending end of the Futura 2 range, no further examples are available to UK buyers. On its successor, now known as the Futura 3, Mr Dowsett says that VDL has already sold a small number in left-hand drive ahead of debut in that form in late 2025. It remains to be seen when the first Futura 3 for the UK will appear.
Pre-delivery inspection on new Van Hool coaches arriving in the UK will continue to be carried out by VDL Bus and Coach at its Barnsley premises.
