This article is missing information about United Bus products and detailed reasons why United Bus collapsed.(July 2024) |
Industry | Bus and coach manufacturing |
---|---|
Founded | 1988 |
Founders | DAF Bus Bova |
Defunct | 1993 |
Fate | Bankruptcy |
Successor | VDL Bus & Coach Optare Den Oudsten Danish Automobile Building |
Headquarters | , Netherlands |
Areas served | Continental Europe |
United Bus was a European bus and coach manufacturing group created by the merger of Dutch manufacturers DAF Bus and Bova in November 1989.[1] The merger was made in response to a joint review of the future European bus and coach industry. DAF took a majority stake in this merger, while Bova remained as an operating subsidiary, with plans for further expansion across Europe at the offset.[2] All United Bus companies retained their identities while part of the group.
United Bus' first acquisition came in May 1990, with British bus body builder Optare being acquired for around £5 million (equivalent to £14,354,000 in 2023). Optare had previously collaborated with DAF by being licensed to build its Delta body on the DAF SB220 chassis.[3] The collaboration between DAF and Optare led to the introduction of the Optare Spectra double-decker bus on the DAF DB250 chassis in 1992, designed as a successor to the MCW Metrobus.[4][5] The Spectra eventually became the first low-floor double-decker bus in the United Kingdom.
United Bus expanded further in June 1990 with the acquisition and merger of Dutch coach body manufacturer Den Oudsten into the group, resulting in United Bus' western European market share increasing to 6%; Den Oudsten's North American New Flyer company was not involved in this merger.[6] This was later followed by 40% of controlled shares in Danish Automobile Building (DAB) being acquired by United Bus, later increased to 70% by September 1992.[7]