Spain – Spain is known for its robust cadre of bus bodybuilders, reputed for their durable and attractive models with high residual values. Names such as Beulas, Castrosua, and Irizar are familiar to dealers and operators outside of the Iberian Peninsula. They chose, however, not to attend the latest FIAA 2022, Spain’s premier international bus and coach exhibition held between 18-21 October in Madrid. A single Spanish bodybuilder – Unidad de Vehículos Industriales (UNVI) – showed up to FIAA 2022; and this in spite of the fact that the last FIAA was held in 2017! 

UNVI presented an electric bus which it developed in collaboration with Portuguese manufacturer CaetanoBus. It was lost in the crowd, however, of foreign manufacturers who were apparently keen to take advantage of the Spanish companies’ absence and shoulder their way into the market. Even so, only two of the major chassis suppliers – EvoBus and Iveco Bus – were in attendance. The majority of the exhibitors were Turkish manufacturers looking to expand their slim presence in the Spanish market.