Following news in the last issue of Truck & Bus Builder (October 2019) announcing the collapse of the Wrights Group of Ballymena, Bamford Bus Company Ltd, a newly formed subsidiary company of AB&C Manufacturing Ltd (2006) set up and owned by Joseph Bamford, on October 22, 2019 announced it had acquired Wrightbus.

At Busworld Europe last month, VDL Bus & Coach NV   introduced the next generation Citea LLE Diesel, with improvements aimed at achieving the lowest possible CO2 footprint with Euro VI diesel engines and further reducing the Total Cost of Ownership.

Van Hool NV, the independent bus and coach manufacturer introduced three world premieres at Busworld last month.

Maxion Wheels used the NACV Show in Atlanta last month to unveil the Maxion Wheels’ drag-reducing, patent-pending aerodynamic concept wheel cover for the steer axle on trucks, called Aerowheel.

Turkish bus and coach builder, Temsa SA, is planning to expand its geographical sales presence in the USA.

In six months’ time,  Hendrickson International plans to start trailer axle and suspension production (April 2020) at a brand new plant in Navarre according to Gary Gerstenslager, president and CEO of Hendrickson speaking at the NACV Show in Atlanta last month.

Mellor Coachcraft launched a new vehicle specifically designed for the Demand Responsive Transport market at Busworld Europe in Brussels last month.

The latest generation of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter now features an optional 'High Load' rear axle, which allows greater carrying capacity.

The current flagship coach from Volvo Buses, the 9900 model achieved the Grand Award Coach at Busworld last month, having been voted best coach in all categories.

At the end of 2020, ZF Friedrichshafen AG says it will begin production of PowerLine, the company’s new 8-speed fully automatic transmission for medium-duty commercial vehicles in order to supply a contract with an unnamed major North American OEM for launching in early 2021.

Door specialist, Masats SA, used Busworld last month to provide customers with a private presentation of a completely new design of door system for electric coaches called Swyncro; an acronym for swinging and synchronised.

Michelin Plc presented its X-Incity Energy Z at Busworld Europe last month - the first tyre in 275/70R22.5 format with a steer axle load of eight tons which, it claims, will allow future generations of electric buses to increase their capacities.