Confirmation that the Van Hool T range of coaches will largely continue in production under VDL ownership has been received after several months of uncertainty.
A new VDL Van Hool website and brochures with branding from both businesses show that the T15 Acron two-axle and T16 Astron and T17 Astron tri-axles remain on offer in left- and right-hand drive alongside the established TDX21 Altano overdecker and TDX27 Astromega double-decker. A T17 Acron and TDX25 Astromega will also be built in left-hand drive only.
The EX range is not mentioned on the new website. It is understood that the EX will come to an end after deliveries of residual coaches conclude. The 10.8m T11 Acron and other Alicron models are similarly absent, showing that they too will not be retained.
Commenting on the development, a VDL spokesperson has told routeone: “Our position since the acquisition has been that we continue to carry the Van Hool brand. That has not changed.
“The models on our new VDL Van Hool website are the models we are now continuing with. Just two of the chosen models are not right-hand drive.”
A confirmed future for the T line-up represents a turnaround from a position shared with Van Hool customers in the UK earlier in 2024 after VDL purchased parts of the Van Hool coach and bus business out of bankruptcy.
At that time, at least one customer was told that the T16 Astron would be dropped and that a risk existed of the T range in its entirety coming to an end. More recently, that position looked to have been reversed after strong hints were heard of a future for the T after all.
It is understood that a decision by VDL to take the latter option came in recognition of the T range’s versatility across multiple use cases, including those at the top of the market. The line-up debuted in late 2022.
The new website indicates that sales of Van Hool coaches are currently being handled centrally from the manufacturer’s premises at Koningshooikt in Belgium, that formed part of the sale to VDL.
However, it advises that “if available,” enquirers will be passed to local sales points. VDL Bus and Coach UK has been handling pre-delivery work on T coaches that are for delivery to buyers here.
VDL Van Hool will attend Euro Bus Expo at the NEC Birmingham on 12-14 November, where it is to show a T16 Astron and a TDX21 Altano.
