SODERTALJE, Sweden, April 08, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Scania (Other OTC:SCVAY) has made a couple of major breakthroughs into the French city bus market, previously a stronghold of domestic makes. Scania has sold a total of 65 Scania OmniCity city buses to Paris and Amiens in northern France.
"Our long-term market strategy is now beginning to show results," said Philippe Behaegel, responsible for Scania's city bus operations in France.
This is the first time Scania buses are being used on the streets of Amiens,150 kilometres north of Paris. In the face of tough competition, Scania sold 50 OmniCity low-floor buses to the local public transport company.
"We had the best overall concept and a well-developed service package, and this is what made the crucial difference," explained Philippe Behaegel. The styling of the Scania OmniCity also played a major role in its success, with its gentle, rounded shapes and large glass panels exerting considerable appeal.
The other fifteen buses have been sold to Paris-based bus operator RATP, which with its more than 4,000 buses dominates city bus operations in the French capital. The new 18-metre articulated buses will ply the route between downtown Paris and the city's largest international airport, Orly.
"It is a major achievement to secure RATP as a customer, since this company is something of a trendsetter among French city bus operators," said Philippe Behaegel. "This may have a major bearing on our continued penetration of the French city bus market."
For further information, please contact: Gunnar Boman telephone number +46 8 553 895 10 mobile phone +46 70 550 86 06
Scania is one of the world's leading manufacturers of trucks and buses for heavy transport applications, and of industrial and marine engines. With 28,200 employees and production facilities in Europe and Latin America, Scania is one of the most profitable companies in its sector. In 2002, turnover totalled SEK 47,000 million and the result after financial items was SEK 3,700 million. Scania products are marketed in about 100 countries worldwide and some 95 percent of Scania's vehicles are sold outside Sweden. Bus manufacture takes place in Sweden, Poland, Russia, Brazil and Mexico.
Scania press releases are available on the Internet, www.scania.com
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