Thailand’s long-distance transport strengthened with more than 300 new luxury coaches on MAN chassis

A total of 311 brand-new long-distance coaches have recently been delivered by MAN, in cooperation with its Thai partner TopBest, to the state-owned Thai transport company Transport Co., Ltd. (BorKorSor). The vehicles, which are virtually indistinguishable from the MAN Lion’s Coach familiar on the European market, are the first coaches in the Southeast Asian country to be fitted with Euro 5 diesel engines. According to Barbaros Oktay, head of MAN Truck & Bus, the project represents an important milestone in delivering clean and comfortable transport in Thailand, while also aligning with the international growth strategy of MAN’s bus business.

The mechanical basis for the newly delivered vehicles is the two-axle MAN Lion’s Chassis CO (RR3), suitable for building standard- and raised-floor long-distance buses. This platform is the so-called CIB (Chassis in the box) version of the technically identical MAN RR2 self-propelled chassis, supplied by the manufacturer as a kit for local assembly. The bus bodies were built by TopBest itself, which also acts as the importer, largely using original MAN components. The company manufactures the local body-on-chassis adaptation of the current-generation MAN Lion’s Coach in both a 12-metre two-axle version and a 13.8-metre three-axle version, but until now these have been fitted only with Euro 3 diesel engines rated at 350 and 430 hp (257 and 316 kW), respectively. The Euro 5 power units installed in the newly delivered series therefore represent a major step forward in terms of emissions.

The coaches were delivered to the customer in three configurations, with 24, 32 and 36 seats, featuring 2+1 and 1+1 seating layouts, promising generous space for passengers. In addition to familiar comfort features such as air conditioning, free onboard WiFi and USB charging sockets, the buses also include local characteristics such as a 1-0-0 door arrangement, an emergency exit at the rear on the right-hand side in the direction of travel and a separate door for the driver, as well as a driver’s compartment separated from the passenger saloon by a full-width partition.

In Thailand, a popular holiday destination among foreign visitors, tourism is a sector of key importance to the economy. The newly received vehicles will serve the country’s key long-distance routes between Bangkok and the northern, northeastern and southern regions, and have therefore also been equipped with electronic exterior destination displays typical of scheduled services. In parallel with taking delivery of the new fleet, Transport Co., Ltd. has also launched a new VIP-style service under the motto “Travel with Heart”; the luxury examples fitted with 24 seats will operate on these services between the capital and Ko Samui, Nakhon Phanom, Chiang Mai and Mae Sot.

The large Thai order clearly demonstrates the importance of regional cooperation for MAN’s bus business at an international level. Unlike the European market, which is served with complete, fully built bus models, globally the lion-badged brand focuses primarily on self-propelled and partially assembled chassis, with a range extending from low-floor and low-entry variants to standard- and raised-floor versions, available with diesel or fully electric drive. MAN-certified local bodybuilders then build bodies on these chassis tailored to the requirements of the markets they serve. This business strategy is based on a network of reliable partners, headed by three so-called MAN Lead Bodybuilders selected by MAN: TopBest, which built the vehicles now delivered, in the Asian region; Modasa in Central and South America; and Geyushi in North Africa and the Middle East. The aim of these partnerships is to open up new sales channels, strengthen technical cooperation, and further improve the quality and availability of the finished buses.

„This approach enables us to adapt flexibly to the differing expectations and customer requirements of various regions, while further strengthening our presence in the world’s emerging markets. Local partnerships create a strong international network and new sales channels – both in our partners’ home markets and in export markets” said Barbaros Oktay, adding: „Thailand is an excellent example of how this close cooperation can result in tangible, high-quality mobility solutions for our customers as well.”

Photos: MAN Truck & Bus