Turkey is making rapid progress in renewing its city bus fleet, and the inter-city express coach market appears to be strong. It was evident at the 7th edition of Busworld Turkey organized by Busworld International and its partner, HKF Trade Fairs, with the support of TOF and Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, that the country is matching footsteps with the world while being aware of its own needs.
The official opening of the Izmir fair was done by a number of officials including the Mayor of Izmir Mr. Aziz Kocaglu, president of TOF, the Turkish bus operators trade organization, Mustafa Yildrim, Head of Transportation Planning Department from Izmir’s public transport company Eshot, Hakan Uzun Özet, Didier Ramoudt, President of Busworld International and Bekir Çakici, head of HKF Trade Fairs, responsible for organizing Busworld in Turkey. After the official cutting of the ribbon, the fair was officially opened in a shower of glittering papers.
In total, 10,040 visitors from 107 countries visited the 115 exhibitors from eighteen countries. The exhibition had a net surface of 10,500 sq. m., making it even a little bigger than the previous edition in Istanbul.
Addressing the gathering at the inaugural function, Mr. Didier Ramoudt, President of Busworld International, said: “Passenger mobility with safe, comfort and convenient mode of transport is the concern all over the world. Everybody is working towards clean energy which is giving boost to our bus and coach industry. I am sure the 7th edition of Busworld Turkey in Izmir, having moved from Istanbul, will provide immense opportunity for all the bus and coach manufacturers and the suppliers to showcase their innovative and relevant solutions not only for Turkey’s bus market but also for the global requirement. Innovation will lead all of us towards the solutions to the clean energy and affordable public transport.”
Mr. Ramoudt was fully aware that he is speaking about clean mobility in a country that relies heavily on buses and coaches for public transport. Sales of buses and midi buses in Turkey have risen substantially in 2017, compared with the previous year. Last year, according to OSD, the Turkish manufacturers trade association, there were exports of a record 44,440 buses and coaches of all sizes, valued at $1.15 billion!
Turkey is also a major exporter of buses and coaches. This speaks volume about the quality and standard of the body-builders and manufacturers. The Turkish manufacturing industry is now in a very strong position. Turkish companies have built up regular customer bases in so many countries that they are well protected from downturns. While some markets in the Middle East are facing serious problems, the neighboring Iran is no longer subject to sanctions, and that must surely be a great opportunity for trade between the two countries.
In the context to India, Turkey’s economy is expanding faster than ours and even China, thanks to a surge in spending both by households and the government.
According to a Bloomberg survey, Turkey’s gross domestic product (GDP) rose 7.4 per cent in 2017, with the fourth quarter output up 7.3 per cent, beating the median 6.7 per cent. Undoubtedly, Turkey, with its proximity to Europe as well as Asia, appears to be self-sustainable for local desires, at the same time seems capable of delivering what the globe requires.
Exciting product showcase
The electric mobility, along with alternate energy, also hit the Turkey bus market, and there is surely a lot of more self-sustainable development than what met the eye at the fair ground. For starters, BMC’s 8.5 meters long Neocity, with its electric motor and battery pack, was the attraction of the show. BMC welcomed its guests in the giant stand area of 3.678 square meters, where four new buses made the world launch. BMC took its place in the fair with a total of 10 vehicles.
At the press conference that conveyed the vision of the future of the BMC Bus Family, the BMC General Manager – Land Vehicles, Bülent Santýrcýoðlu, declared: “As a national brand with more than 50 years of knowledge and experience we are aiming to become a leader in the global arena.”
Amongst the vehicles that caught attention and that backed the General Manager’s ambition of becoming a global player were the Neocity 8.5 metre with Euro VI engine and Electric Vehicle (EV). Together with its turbocharged intercooler 4 cylinders diesel Euro VI engine, Neocity 8.5m has up to 210hp power and 850Nm torque. With its electric motor and battery pack Neocity 8.5m EV bus has a range up to 275km on highway, 210km in city traffic. Full charge takes only 7 hours, and quick change can fill the 80 per cent of the batteries within 2 hours.
The other vehicles on display were the Neocity 10 metre low floor Euro VI diesel engine bus, the Neocity 9 metre low floor and Procity 12 metre low floor Euro VI CNG bus and 14m Euro V Apron bus.
MAN was represented by its distributor Mapar. The company official claimed to be selling 400-450 vehicles after innovating the interior such as seats, lights and roof panels. The company had put on display a slew of its renovated products, including the Lion’s Coach showcased at the Kortrijk edition of Busworld 2017.
Otokar, Turkey’s another popular bus manufacturer, exhibited nine models and versions. A Koç Group company, Otokar, whose buses carry millions of passengers in 50 countries, is also amongst the most preferred bus brand in Turkey. Its bus brands like Navigo, Poyraz, Ulyso and Kent are highly admired for their design, ergonomics and technologies. Mr. Basri Akgül, Deputy General Manager, Otokar, said: “After a successful year Otokar has maintained its leadership in the Turkish market in the first quarter of 2018. We have continued to grow in Europe with successful export deals.”
At the fair, Otokar introduced the domestic market version of the Ulyso bus launched last year. The Navigo buses, with sales already exceeding 30,000, were admired for their powerful engines, rich accessories, superior comfort, doors moved to the middle and increased luggage volume. In addition to exhibiting Kent C Articulated, Kent C, Sultan C and Sultan LF, which brings a fresh breath of air to public transportation at Busworld, Otokar also introduced Territo, already widely used in Europe, but a new concept for Turkey. Another new product for the Turkey market was the Poyraz that stood apart in the 27+1 small bus segment with its favorable investment costs, fuel economy, low parts costs and operating expenses.
Anadolu Isuzu had six vehicles on display. However, The Novocity Life, powered by a 4.5-liter FPt NEF4 engine with its length of 8 meters, stood out for its ‘full-length’ bus like appearance and comfort in midibus dimensions. Having made its first appearance at Busworld Kortrijk in 2017 and winning the Best Design Award at the Design Turkey Organization, Turkey’s most prestigious design event which is a part of Turquality, the Isuzu Novociti Life was officially launched in Turkey.
Guleryuz showcased its Cobra low floor city buses in open roof and GO-272 LF variants. A family-owned company that builds a range of low-floor city buses and medium-sized coaches, Guleryuz has quite a reputation with its open open top versions for city sightseeing and also conducted its presentation for the press in the open roof bus.
Amongst the many suppliers, Cummins and ZF stood out. Cummins claimed that over 4,000 clean diesel Euro 6 buses are operating in Turkey powered by the F3.8, B4.5, B6.7 and L9 engines across a broad 115 to 246 kW (154-330 hp) output. The popularity of the Euro 6 low emission engines has established Cummins as the leading supplier to the Turkish bus market in 2017, gaining over a 50 per cent share of all installations spanning the 7-to-18 metre length midi and city bus categories.
ZF put its weight behind the CeTrax electric central drive that can be integrated simply into vehicle designs with a conventional driveline layout and is touted to be suitable for both solo and articulated buses. With 8 speed power shift transmission, it is suitable for mid-size commercial vehicles.