The deal, understood to be worth KRW13trn (USD9.4bn), comes a year after the two companies decided to scrap plans to build a battery manufacturing joint venture in Turkey due to weakening demand for electric vehicles (EVs) in Europe.

At last year’s Busworld, Voith Turbo celebrated the 70th anniversary of its ‘DIWA’ line of automatic transmissions for urban and suburban buses. The German manufacturer had just brought out the latest addition to the DIWA range, the ‘DIWA NXT’. This reimagining of the city bus transmission, incorporating a mild hybrid system (optional), appeared on the scene when it still seemed that fully electric was the only way to go. Markus Bischoff – who is responsible for the DIWA product line – believes the company made a “brave decision” in supporting the development of the mild-hybrid transmission; today, he feels vindicated by the resurgence of interest in hybrids. “The main request we get from our customers,” Bischoff told Truck & Bus Builder, “is affordability.”

The company is bringing its electric minibus (the 6-metre e-Jest) to British consumers through Horsham-based dealer, EVM UK Ltd.

The German manufacturer says the order for 27 battery electric buses from Ledermair is the largest order for electric buses the company has received thus far from a private operator in Austria.

The ‘Urbino 24’ double-articulated buses will serve on bus rapid transit routes in the city.

Customers of MAN and Scania who make use of MAN ‘Charge&Go’ or Scania ‘Charging Access’ will now be able to use Hubject’s ‘Intercharge’ network of charging points.

This so called ‘accelerated bookbuilding process’ created 145,000,000 shares in a “private placement” fund at NOK 6,90 (0.63 USD) per new share. The capital raised will help the company meet its 2025 goals, namely getting a few hundred Tern trucks out the door and ramping up production.

EVM UK, now with the Ferqui brand added to its portfolio, the company now represents a total of nine European mini and midi bus and coach brands.

The companies are set to develop a fully electrified refrigerated trailer that aims to reduce emissions in the cold chain logistics industry.

By restructuring the business, Northvolt hopes to raise a total of USD245m in new financing, including USD145m in cash collateral and USD100m of debtor-in-possession finance from an existing customer.

The ten ‘Endurance’ TRUs were the first to be produced at the company’s new headquarters and production facility in Leatherhead.

Labcraft will now be integrated into Safe Fleet’s portfolio of brands that provide safety products for vehicle manufacturers. These companies serve multiple global market segments including emergency services, waste & municipal vehicles, construction vehicles and truck & trailer OEMS.