MAN Truck & Bus to introduce city bus models in Korea
.jpg?w=728)
MAN Truck & Bus Korea’s new headquarters in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province / Courtesy of MAN Truck & Bus Korea
By Jhoo Dong-chan
MAN Truck & Bus Korea, the German commercial vehicle maker’s local affiliate in Korea, is set to introduce new city bus models this year, the company said during an opening ceremony for its new headquarters in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday.
“The company will unveil new city bus models during the upcoming Seoul International Motor Show starting March 30,” MAN Truck & Bus Korea President Max Burger said.
The German commercial vehicle maker’s local affiliate sold 1,545 commercial vehicles last year, marking its record-high sales performance since it entered the Korean market in 2001. The sales figure is also up 36 percent from a year ago and up 450 percent from five years ago.
MAN Truck & Bus Korea introduced tour bus as well as double-decker models last year, but it is the first time for the commercial vehicle maker to introduce a city bus model here.
The company official said it will unveil four city bus models, including the MAN Lion’s City CNG premium bus, during the Seoul International Motor Show held between March 30 and April 9.
“Korea is one of our seven main target markets in the world, but is a tough market. Customer demands are rigorous, especially in quality. MAN Truck & Bus respects such demands and shares their values,” MAN Truck & Bus Sales and Marketing Director Heinz-Jurgen Low said.
“The German headquarters has expanded its investments to meet their demands, and the Yongin headquarters is a part of the company’s commitments to upgrade its service infrastructure.”
About 200 reporters and carmaker executives, including Low and Burger, participated in its headquarters opening ceremony. Gyeonggi Province Deputy Governor Kim Dong-keun and Yongin City Mayor Jung Chan-min also joined the event.
The official said MAN Truck & Bus Korea has established the nationwide customer network by opening new service centers in Yongin, Jeju and Gimhae. It also plans to open additional centers in Busan and Jeonju by the end of this year.