Wrightbus under the ownership of Jo Bamford (pictured) has launched operations in Australia via what the Ballymena manufacturer calls a significant new chapter for its international growth strategy.
That debut came on 15 July at the Australasia Bus and Coach Expo in Sydney. Unveiling was by British Consul General and Deputy Trade Commissioner Asia Pacific (Australia and New Zealand) Anna Shadbolt.
The builder has previously supplied products to the Australasian market, work that it says dates back around 30 years with bodies mounted on the Dennis Dart SLF chassis for Canberra.
More recently, the StreetLite integral found its way to the continent in partnership with a local dealer, and in 2022, Wrightbus signed a contract with Australian body manufacturer Volgren to provide its hydrogen fuel cell-electric technology.
At the Sydney exhibition, Wrightbus showcased three integral zero-emission vehicles. Its single-deck Kite model in battery- and hydrogen fuel cell-electric form are both already approved on the Transport for New South Wales procurement panel, while the StreetDeck Electroliner in tri-axle format is also highlighted. Twenty were recently ordered by Hong Kong operator Citybus.
Leading Wrightbus operations in Australia are Regional Director Asia Pacific Daniel Castro, and Head of Sales – Australia and New Zealand Julian Gurney.
Mr Gurney has 20 years’ experience in the region, including involvement in Australian trade body the Bus Industry Confederation. “Australia is a highly respected, mature and professional market, and it is really defining its own future,” he says. “Daniel and I, along with the rest of the Wrightbus team, are fully committed to supporting its decarbonisation goals.”
Executive Chairman Mr Bamford adds that Australia “represents a hugely important market for Wrightbus, and we are delighted to be back with a renewed focus and a long-term commitment to supporting the country’s transition to zero-emission public transport.”
Managing Director Christian Reynolds was part of the team representing the manufacturer at the Sydney event. “Our vehicles are already proving themselves every day in cities around the world, and we are excited to share that experience with Australian customers,” he notes.
“This is about more than supplying buses; it is about building partnerships, creating ecosystems, supporting local jobs, and developing sustainable transport solutions for decades to come.”
