Dealership here opens new premises in South Wales; will start working with MAN on TGE, TGL soon
Ilesbus UK, the importer of Turkish-built mini and midicoaches produced by Bursa-based Ilesbus, has moved to a new facility in Pyle, South Wales that houses a showroom and preparation and parts areas.
The base will be used to support the current Iveco Daily- and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter-based range that Ilesbus UK offers.
That will subsequently grow with the inclusion of a larger midicoach built on the Mercedes-Benz Atego and, later, MAN TGL chassis that will seat up to 36, the dealer says.
Atego due soon
“Our premises near Bridgend will support the whole Ilesbus UK business. We have a large yard for parking, a building and a workshop area and we already carry stock for all models that will come into the UK,” a representative adds.
Meanwhile, Ilesbus has completed work in Turkey on the first left-hand drive Atego-based midi. Right-hand drive chassis are at the factory and bodybuilding for the UK will begin very soon. Arrival here of the first right-hand drive example is expected in late April.
A 12,000kg GVW Atego chassis is used, with air suspension on both axles. It is powered by the six-cylinder OM 936 engine coupled to the Powershift 3 automated manual gearbox, and to complement the 36-seater a 34-seat plus toilet model will be offered, along with an accessible variant that can carry up to seven wheelchair users.
Ilesbus says that the first Atego-based midicoach for the UK will be a demonstrator, “but potential customers are already eager to see it.”
Iveco and MAN
The dealer has also seen success with its Iveco-based midi, something that it largely attributes to a shortage of suitable new-model Sprinters at higher gross weights and potential capacities. Orders for the Daily-based vehicle have exceeded expectations.
Additionally, Ilesbus UK plans to work with MAN to deliver the midicoach on the TGL in due course. It also anticipates offering minicoaches based on the TGE panel van, which extends to a GVW of 5,500kg.
