GOTEBORG, Sweden, Dec. 30, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Volvo Buses' B12M chassis has been named the Brazilian bus of the year. The chassis is available as a bi-articulated bus, which, at 26.8 metres long, is the world's longest bus.
The bus of the year prize is awarded by Autodata of Brazil. Autodata is a publishing firm specialising in automotive publications. Autodata nominates candidates, but the actual votes are cast by managers and experts from the Brazilian automotive industry. ``The Volvo B12M is a successful chassis in Brazil today," says Marcio Stefani at Autodata.
The Volvo B12M is available in a range of models, including a 26.8 metre bi-articulated bus. This makes it the world's longest commercially available bus. One of the largest bus operators in Sao Paolo, Viacao Campo Bello, has 30 of Volvo Buses' new bi-articulated buses in operation.
Thanks to the huge passenger capacity of the buses, dedicated bus lanes and specially-designed bus stops, this kind of transport is as effective as underground trains, but much less expensive. The system is called Bus Rapid Transit, and this kind of transport system is now being run in many major cities globally.
``The Volvo B12M is a bus chassis that is ideally suited to this type of transport system," says Per Gabell, Volvo Buses' South America and Caribbean regional manager. ``This is a segment where Volvo Buses leads the field and can provide the most adequate products."
December 30, 2004
For further information, please contact Per-Martin Johansson, press officer, +46 31 322 52 00
Volvo Bus Corporation is the world's second-largest manufacturer of large buses and coaches. The range comprises complete vehicles, chassis, bus bodies, transport system solutions for metropolitan traffic, leasing, financing and service contract maintenance. Volvo Bus Corporation is part of the Volvo Group, one of the world's leading manufacturers of trucks, buses and construction equipment, drive systems for marine and industrial applications, aerospace components and services. The Group also provides complete solutions for financing and service.
This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net
The following files are available for download:
http://wpy.waymaker.net/client/waymaker1/WOLReleaseFile.aspx?id=61258&fn=wkr0001.pdf
http://wpy.waymaker.net/client/waymaker1/WOLReleaseFile.aspx?id=61258&fn=wkr0003.doc