Volvo Bus and Sunsundegui have formalised an arrangement for the Spanish company to build bodies for the 9700 single-deck and 9900 coaches.
Sunsundegui CEO Jose Ignacio Murillo (pictured below, right) and Volvo Buses President Anna Westerberg (pictured below, left) signed an agreement confirming the partnership at the bodybuilder’s plant in Alsasua during late October. Orders for two models will be taken by the two parties before the end of 2023, with first deliveries expected in 2025.
Volvo Buses UK and Ireland has confirmed that existing coaches that it offers in partnership with Sunsundegui – the SB3 low-height model, the SC5 midi and the SC7 full-size tourer – are unaffected by the bodybuilder’s adoption of the 9700 and 9900. “These models will continue to be offered in the UK as before,” a spokesperson for the dealership says.
A letter of intent for collaboration between Volvo and Sunsundegui on the 9700 and 9900 was signed earlier this year. It followed the decision by Volvo to close its plant in Poland which currently bodies the models. The shift is part of a pivot by Volvo to focus its European coach and bus operation on chassis production.
Completion of the agreement follows the earlier cementing of a similar partnership with MCV, which will body Volvo chassis for bus use, including the BZL battery-electric range. MCV also produces the Evotor coach body, which will be restyled and moved to the Volvo B8R chassis for UK deliveries from 2024.
In September, Volvo Buses UK and Ireland Managing Director confirmed that the 9700 and 9900 have secure futures here. Both use the B13R chassis.
Mr Bondi noted that the two models would be “the same vehicles” when bodied by Sunsundegui as they are presently.
Volvo Bus says that formalisation of the partnership with Sunsundegui represents “the start of a close collaboration to develop and deliver sustainable, premium transport solutions for coach customers across Europe.”
Adds Ms Westerberg: “With this agreement, we have taken a significant step in implementing the change that we announced in March this year regarding our business model in Europe. Through agreements with Sunsundegui and MCV, we are confident that we can offer our customers a complete range of coaches and buses in the premium segment.”
To service the closer collaboration with Volvo, Sunsundegui will increase its factory capacity and headcount. Volvo Buses will remain the prime contractor and first contact point for the 9700 and 9900.
While the 9700 in single-deck form will be bodied by Sunsundegui, the double-deck 9700 DD will continue to be produced by Carrus Delta in Finland. It remains to be seen whether that coach comes to the UK.
