| Industry | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1931 |
| Defunct | 2010 |
| Successor | VDL Bus & Coach |
| Headquarters | , The Netherlands |
| Products | Buses |
| Parent | VDL Groep |
| Website | www.vdlbova.nl |
VDL Bova was a luxury coachbuilder based in Eindhoven, in The Netherlands which began building coaches in 1931. In particular, it is well known for the Bova Futura, a streamlined coach usually powered by a DAF engine, which was first introduced in the 1980s and is still in production as of 2018 as the VDL Futura.[1]
In 1878 Jacob D. Bots founded a timber business in Valkenswaard. When he died, he left the business to his eldest son Simon who first introduced the name Bova, which was derived from Bots Valkenswaard.[2]
In 1931 the company began building coaches, and in 1969 introduced the Benelux, a self-supporting integral coach.[3] The company was purchased by VDL Groep in 2003, who also owned the Berkhof, Jonckheere and VDL Bus Chassis brands.[4] From 2010 the individual brands were discontinued and VDL Bova became part of VDL Bus & Coach.
- ^ Futura VDL Bus & Coach
- ^ History Bova Futura
- ^ Core activities VDL Bova
- ^ VDL Groep koopt busbouwer Bova NRC Handelsblad 6 May 2003 (in Dutch)