Volvo Buses and Manufacturing Commercial Vehicles (MCV) have signed an agreement for the production of electric urban buses, which also includes an electric interurban bus.
While the agreement was announced at the end of April 2023 when a letter of intent was signed, the deal is now finalized.
Production is set to commence in 2024, with the first zero-emission units, utilizing Volvo chassis and MCV bodies, expected to enter the market in 2025.
This partnership with MCV represents the next step in Volvo Buses’ new business model in Europe, which includes the decision to cease production of complete buses, both urban and coach, in Europe.
Prior to this, Volvo Buses had signed letters of intent with MCV for the manufacturing of bodies for urban and interurban buses and with Sunsundegui for tour buses.
“During the autumn, Volvo Buses will continue planning alongside MCV with the aim of commencing production in 2024. Customers should be able to place orders in the final quarter of 2023, making deliveries possible in the first quarter of 2025,” the company announced.
“Completing the agreement with MCV means they can now manufacture our bodies so that we can offer a full range of premium Volvo urban and interurban buses to customers in Europe,” said Dan Peterson, Senior Vice President of Volvo Buses.
“MCV is a perfect partner with the skills and capacity to meet the high demands of our European customers,” he added.
Under the new business model in Europe and the agreement with MCV, Volvo Buses will continue to be the point of contact for customers regarding spare parts and services, both for new offerings and for customers with Volvo buses in their fleets.
“Our business model means that we have close collaborations with some of the world’s leading bodybuilders, allowing us to combine our expertise in each area,” commented Dan Pettersson.
“It enhances our ability to develop and adapt solutions to meet customer needs now and in the future,” he added.
It is worth mentioning that MCV was established in 1994, with its global headquarters located in Cairo, Egypt. They supply commercial vehicles worldwide to markets in Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa, with a production capacity of 6,000 buses per year.
