Coach sales grew by 7.3%. Once again, there were more integral than body-on-chassis coaches, with integrals again accounting for about 55% of the total market.
Mercedes-Benz and Volvo remained market leaders, with both experiencing a significant growth in sales of about 30, each recovering some of a similar modest fall in sales between 2017 and 2018. They now each account for around a quarter of the market.
Volvo experienced a significant shift in demand away from the high powered, more expensive B11R to the smaller-engined B8R. These two models sold in almost equal numbers last year, whereas in 2018 sales of the B11R outnumbered the B8R by two to one. A dozen B11RLE double-deck chassis were delivered, while 23 tri-axle B11Rs were supplied to National Express contractors and 30 to Ulsterbus for its Goldline express services. Largest customer for the B8R was Horseman of Reading, which received 11, while Lothian Country took eight for commuter services linking Edinburgh and West Lothian.
Sales of the Mercedes-Benz Tourismo, by far the most popular full-sized coach, were up by 18%, more than making up for the reduction in sales the previous year. Biggest customer remained Shearings/National Holidays, whi…
