Having moved to a bigger premise that allowed more space for both exhibitors and visitors, Busworld Europe turned out to be an extravaganza of sorts that had at its core innovative technologies to take a leap into the future – that of electromobility
The 25th edition of Busworld, the biggest bus and coach only exhibition in the world, was hosted for the first time in Brussels from October 18-23, 2019. Having moved to a much larger expo centre, the show turned out to be a massive success, reaffirming its position as the most sought-after platform for the bus and coach industry. Compared to the previous edition held in 2017, all key numbers went up: more space (50,000 to 79,000 sq. metres), more exhibitors (376 to 511 of which 176 were newcomers), and more visitors (37,274 to 39,798). The overall feedback was very positive and the 2019 event most definitely will be a milestone in Busworld’s history.
International audience
As many as 511 exhibitors came from 37 countries with the top three represented by Turkey, Germany and China. Visitors came from 143 countries – a significant difference in comparison with 118 countries in 2017. Busworld clearly confirmed and even reinforced its bi-annual international sales and networking platform for all professionals in the bus and coach industry around the world.
Commenting on this upsurge in numbers, Redgy Deschacht, President of Busworld, proudly said: “Of course this is the best possible evolution for Busworld we have been working and hoping for. Edition after edition, growth and internationalisation has gone hand-in-hand.”
“We would not have been able to do this without the loyal support of our exhibitors,” he added. Due to the continuous growth of the Busworld show, it was decided to move to a bigger exhibition centre: Brussels Expo. Not all exhibitors and visitors were convinced about this idea from the start. Kortrijk Xpo was a very popular location, although it had been too small for quite a while. Today, everyone is unanimous about one thing: it was the right choice! Exhibition Director Mieke Glorieux confirmed with a big smile: “We did it! It was a lot of work and a lot of sleepless nights, but we can all be very proud of the result.”
“I want to thank all people involved in this success – my own team, the Kortrijk Xpo team that moved to Brussels with us to organise the extra services and last but not least the Brussels Expo team that did a tremendous job in hosting us. I am, as always, very grateful for the many exhibitors who supported us and the numerous visitors that came, more than ever, from all over the world. So in short: I am very happy!” Significantly, innovation was at the forefront when it came to the exhibition of products and technologies. Not only in terms of drivetrain electrification – emerging as the industry’s favoured method of tackling the emissions challenge – but the infrastructure required to support such a revolutionary change.
Electrification: A natural theme
Although Busworld never determines a specific theme, the electrification theme developed itself naturally during this edition. Almost every bus, present inside and outside the Brussels Expo, was equipped with an electric driveline. It was all about batteries, autonomy, kWh, charging possibilities, etc. – clearly enough, electricity was in the air in and around the show! The exhibition saw participation from more than two dozen major bus and coach manufacturers and bodybuilders from around the world including the likes of Volvo Buses, Daimler, Scania, MAN, Solaris, Yutong, Iveco, BYD, Van Hool, VDL, Irizar, Anadolu Isuzu, King Long Group, Otokar, Temsa, Ebusco, MCV, Karsan, Alexander Dennis, Caetano, Beulas, Deltabus and Heuliez.
Stay tuned!
As usual, component suppliers and technology service providers were present in large numbers, showcasing their latest innovations and solutions, most of them catering to the hottest trend in the sector – electromobility. The one common factor that emerged from the show was that greater efficiency is a clear common goal. What was most impressive was the sheer breadth of solutions on display, which makes an electrified future for public transport seem an eminently achievable reality.