Tag Archives: Busworld Latin America 2022

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MERCEDES-BENZ EXPECTS TOTAL SUCCESS IN BUSWORLD ARGENTINA 2022

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70 YEARS OF A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH TRANSPORTATION

Colombiabus newsroom – William Marroquín

It has been more than a long journey for Mercedes-Benz to build transport solutions in Argentina, a country that holds the distinction of having been the first in the world to host the first factory of the brand’s vehicles outside of Germany, sowing the seed of what has been the expansion in the construction of automobiles and commercial vehicles with the emblem of the star worldwide.

Having settled in Argentina for so long is a reflection of the enormous confidence in the future of its people and the high expectations that the parent company always places in the production of Mercedes-Benz automobiles. There, vans, trucks and buses are produced taking a leading position in the commercial vehicle segment, with models as famous in the bus world as the Sprinter van that for 25 years has been manufactured in the country for export and local market. Or also the REMAN division, dedicated to manufacturing remanufactured engines and transmissions, helping the circular economy.

Aktuelles Bild des “Centro Industrial Juan Manuel Fangio von Mercedes-Benz in Argentinien” Current image of the “Centro Industrial Juan Manuel Fangio of Mercedes-Benz in Argentina”

A brand that has always been the protagonist in Busworld events held around the world, along with the other brands that make up the Daimler bus portfolio, which has accompanied the launch of the great bus meeting in Argentina, to be held in September 2022 Verónica Niemann, Head of Communications, CSR and Public Relations of the brand talks about the expectations of Mercedes-Benz and the event that will take place at La Rural – Fairground in Buenos Aires

BUSWORLD: How do you lthonk about the realization of Busworld in Argentina?

VERÓNICA NIEMANN: «I think it is an excellent initiative, not only because of the importance it has both for Argentina and for all of Latin America, I think it is a concept where the most important aspects of the value chain and all the priority security aspects come together in the transport of people ».

BW: What is the relationship that Mercedes-Benz Argentina has with transportation?

VN: «We have a long-standing relationship with transport, we celebrated 70 years of production in Argentina and were established in 1951 as the first plant outside Germany in this country and since then we have been linked to transport with great responsibility, quality and service efficiency for carriers and the value chain. «

BW: Do you think this exhibition is destined to be a success?

VN: «I think it is a very good initiative because it brings together several key aspects of the importance of transport in Argentina.«

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VOLVO WILL TEST ITS NEW BZL ELECTRIC BUS IN COLOMBIAN STREETS

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THE DEMO BUS WILL ROLL FOR 6 MONTHS IN COLOMBIA

Colombiabus newsroom – Volvo Buses Colombia / William Marroquín

The great impact left by the global launch of Volvo’s new BZL electric bus chassis, designed to meet the needs of operators and cities in any metropolis, has not been fully assimilated when the pleasant news is received that we will soon have the new passenger vehicle, ready for tests in Colombia, where Volvo Buses has been present for more than 20 years, promoting the modernization of massive systems and offering a better quality of life in transport.

The global demand for electromobility solutions in public transport is growing, and Volvo Buses is preparing for even faster order growth in the coming years. “With the new Volvo BZL Electric, we offer a global platform for clean, quiet and energy efficient public transport to meet the growing demand in markets that are already ready to switch to electromobility,” says Anna Westerberg, Global CEO of Volvo Buses.

André Marques, General Director of Volvo Group Colombia, mentioned at the launch of the new BZL chassis that “Colombia is one of the Volvo Group’s priorities for the introduction of electric buses in Latin America. The above, because as a country we have great potential for this technology, and we want to generate the least impact with our transport solutions ”.

Colombia is in the global trials and an electric demo bus is expected to be in the country early next year. “For 6 months the Volvo electric bus will have activities such as product presentation and testing with operators, investors, strategic allies and institutions focused on electromobility,” said Giulliano Decicino, Commercial and Marketing Manager of Volvo Buses Colombia.

Volvo Buses has years of experience in electromobility solutions, working closely with operators around the world. This chassis is designed as a single or double-deck, with multiple options for drivers. “The new Volvo BZL Electric builds on proven and successful solutions already deployed in Europe. All chassis and powertrain components have been developed to ensure the superior quality of our buses,” says Dan Pettersson, Volvo Buses Head of International Business.

Electric buses are always part of a system. Route distance, frequency, capacity, pricing and local regulations translate into different solutions. This new Volvo BZL is designed to be respectful of the environment and emissions, beyond when it is in operation with passengers, since materials and manufacturing process have taken this premise into account and 90% of the components of the bus are recyclable, while the batteries will have a second use when they end their useful life in the buses.

Safety is another core value of Volvo buses, the Volvo BZL Electric meets the highest European standards for superior driving and safe operation. This includes Volvo Buses the latest offering in connected technology, Volvo APP Bus Connect. “With functions such as Volvo Safe Zone Management, the operator can define safety zones where the maximum speed of the bus is limited, for example near schools or at terminals,” explains Andrés Camacho, Volvo Buses Services Manager Colombia.

The new Volvo BZL Electric features a powertrain developed entirely by the company. The 200 kW electric motor is mated to a two-speed automated transmission. The powertrain can be configured with one or two generators, delivering equivalent power up to 540 HP, giving the Volvo BZL Electric high climbing ability, fast and comfortable operation at all times.

The Volvo BZL Electric is designed for recharging flexibility for both high-power fast charging (OppCharge – Opportunity Charge) and trickle charging (CCS) in the garage or warehouse. Volvo Buses also offers a usable energy commitment, guaranteeing an agreed amount of power for operation and eliminating customer concerns about batteries.

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SCANIA VOLT CHASSIS ARRIVES IN MEXICO ON INTEGRAL BUS FOR TESTS AND DEMONSTRATIONS

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THE BUS WILL ROADSHOW THROUGH LATIN AMERICA

Colombiabus newsroom – Scania Buses México

One of Scania’s most ambitious projects in Mexico, since its arrival in the country in 1994, is the commitment to electromobility, which has given much to talk about in recent days with the first launch for all of Latin America, of the Volt chassis built on the Urviabus model from Carrocerías Beccar, builder from the state of Jalisco.

During the presentation, the arrival of a vehicle for tests with the Mexican operators was announced. As part of the testing schedule planned by Scania, a comprehensive bus arrives in Mexico, which will be tested in the following weeks in Mexico City, where the unit’s operating data will be collected for adaptation to the Mexican market.

The bus called “Citywide” will be doing a roadshow through Latin America, with Mexico being Scania’s first market in America to reach, to later go to South America in the following months, in order to collect data from the region and produce the best electric urban chassis of the new generation from 2022.

In the last presentation by Scania and Beccar of their Volt e-Urviabus bus, the arrival of this chassis was mentioned, since a correct study of the country’s conditions is important for both brands. The Scania Volt is part of the new generation of Scania buses, completing a portfolio of sustainable and environmentally friendly buses.

Scania has focused on developing vehicles with the latest technology for the demands of the cities of the future, that is, the focus is not only on sustainable operation, but also on safety and visual systems for the driver that allow it to be more friendly to its environment. Compared to conventional vehicles, electric vehicles require a broader vision as they must consider battery configuration, operating range, power consumption, and performance.

The Scania Volt e-Urviabus will be manufactured in the first half of the following year in accordance with the demand for the product from customers, several of them today interested in introducing these technologies in several major cities in the country.

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SOLARIS RECEIVES ORDER FOR 24 URBINO ELECTRIC BUSES FOR BARCELONA

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THE CONTRACT IS OF 12 MILLION EUROS

Colombiabus newsroom – Solaris Bus & Coach

Transportes Metropolitanos de Barcelona (TMB), operator of the Spanish city, has once again chosen the Solaris urban buses to advance in the race to have zero-emission vehicles and that is why it has signed an agreement with the Polish manufacturer to deliver 24 electric vehicles of the model Urbino 12 that will reach the end of 2022.

The Solaris Urbino are extremely quiet, free of local emissions and guarantee a low level of operation combined with low operating costs. With the proper configuration of batteries and infrastructure, they can run 24 hours a day, being fully suitable for working on the routes of large urban centers.

Barcelona’s residents have already had the opportunity to see the results, thanks to 19 Urbino 18 articulated electric buses that have joined the fleet operated by TMB. The vehicles to be delivered in the capital of Catalonia will be powered by Solaris High-Energy batteries with a total capacity of more than 400 kWh, which can be recharged by combining the pantograph connectors, so that the energy reaches the central electric motor.

The driver will be calm thanks to assistance systems such as the Mobileye Shield + and MirrorEye systems. The first allows the risks related to the blind spots of the vehicle bus to be eliminated, receiving alerts from pedestrians and cyclists located in the vicinity or for turning maneuvers. Thanks to cameras placed on both sides, the driver receives alerts from pedestrians and cyclists located in the vicinity. The MirrorEye is, in turn, a camera system that replaces the rearview and side mirrors. In addition to ensuring optimal visibility regardless of weather conditions, as well as at night, they also reduce the overall width of the bus, which is particularly important on narrow streets or with higher road traffic.

As if that were not enough, the buses will have a passenger counting device that will allow the carrier to collect data on passenger flows on the buses. It was in 2015 when the Solaris vehicles first arrived in the fleet of the operator Transportes. Metropolitans of Barcelona (TMB). All Solaris vehicles that roll around the Catalan city are hybrid or electric. The last order placed for the customer was for 14 articulated electric buses of the Urbino 18 model, delivered between 2020 and 2021. Solaris is a European leader in the production and sale of low- and zero-emission buses. Almost 3,000 Solaris zero-emission vehicles, including more than 1,000 electric buses, move on the streets of more than 30 European cities.

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IN PERU CRUZ DEL SUR RECEIVES NEW VOLVO BUSES FOR BUSINESS TRANSPORTATION

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AN ADDITIONAL DELIVERY IS EXPECTED STARTING 2022

Colombiabus newsroom – William Marroquín

The mining sector is one of the main drivers of the economy in Peru, the main passenger transport companies have a range of services aimed at mobilizing the personnel working in mining. One of them is Cruz del Sur, with more than 60 years of history and of them, about twenty with its institutional services division.

Always focused on providing a personalized service with high-quality standards for the mining and industrial sectors, Cruz del Sur received 7 Volvo B380R 4X2 Euro buses, bodied with the Irizar i6 model. These new vehicles will allow you to strengthen that relationship with the large mining sector customer with whom you have had a 9-year alliance. Business transportation currently represents more than 50% of revenues for the company, considering the pandemic, the slow recovery of national long-distance routes and the uncertainty due to the reactivation of international routes.

The new buses are part of the first group that Cruz del Sur receives, since starting in 2022 the Peruvian company will receive a second group of zero kilometer vehicles to provide a reliable, safe and quality service, welcoming the renewal of the contract.

The new Volvo B380Rs feature IShift intelligent automated transmission, EBS 4-wheel disc braking system, VEB engine brake and the Driver Support Systems active safety package. This system warns of the risk of a frontal collision, activates the emergency stop and is combined with the adaptive cruise control, the warning system of involuntary lane departure and the alerts for the driver.

All units have Hispacold ECO3 air purifier, approved by the National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA) of Spain; which has been shown to be effective in eliminating 99.7% of the SARS-Covid2 virus. It is important to point out that this acquisition is added to another 60 units acquired, of different configurations, for clients in the mining sector.

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FORD RELEASES ITS COMMERCIAL VEHICLE DIVISION IN BRAZIL WITH THE VAN TRANSIT

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THE MODEL WILL BE MANUFACTURED IN URUGUAY

Colombiabus newsroom – William Marroquín / Ford Media Center

The poor results of Ford worldwide, between 2017 and 2019, as well as the crisis derived from the pandemic, forced the Detroit giant to rethink its global strategy, with a painful adjustment process that even led to the closure of several plants in Latin America, as happened with the facilities in Brazil and Argentina that stopped operating.

Ford’s new strategy aims to focus on F-Series vehicles, SUVs and light utility vehicles, as well as hitting the gas pedal to electrify its portfolio, create new mobility services and business units. Along these lines, one of the first divisions resulting from this reengineering has been Ford Pro, which operates independently and is dedicated to promoting commercial vehicles.

This new division will integrate the business of development and sale of commercial vehicles with both conventional and electric propulsion; development of charging solutions for homes, offices and companies; connected services for fleet management that ensure productivity and profitability for owners; elite services to improve after-sales and support by allowing utilities to get back to work quickly; and the Ford ProFin Simple financing program, to leverage the purchase of the units, as well as the electric recharging systems.

One of the axes of this new Ford division is the light utility Transit, which has been one of the pillars of the brand in several countries, first produced in 1953 and with more than 10 million units sold globally. That it will have diesel versions and the electric E-Transit, which is already available in Europe and will have to make the route to South America.

For the introduction of the model in this region, coordinated work was carried out with the engineering centers in England, Germany and the Brazilian facilities in Tatui (State of São Paulo), where a test center operates. More than 20,000 hours of work and more than 1 million kilometers of tests, allowed to adjust the characteristics of the models that will arrive in South America. The Transit will be produced in Uruguay, thanks to an alliance between Ford and the Nordex group, to have the fifth country that will produce the van, in addition to the United States, Turkey, China and Russia. The investment for the production process amounts to 50 million dollars.

The premises of a light utility vehicle will be available in the Transit: low cost of operation, robustness, durability, good load capacity, safety, affordable price, functionality and adaptability to develop different versions. For the passenger versions, it is expected to have options from 15 to 19 occupants plus driver, specifically developed.

The version with its original factory window, but without seats, will also be available for customers to configure according to their needs, with a network of Ford-approved transformers. Naturally, the panel option for urban delivery, last mile deliveries and parcels will be present, in different options of heights, distances between axes and load capacities.

As of this writing, it has not been confirmed with which engine versions the South American version will be equipped. It is worth mentioning that in Mexico it is offered with the TDCi Puma engine, with 2,200cc and 125HP of power, while in Turkey the EcoBlue engine is available with diesel and hybrid versions, with powers of 130HP, 170HP and 185HP. Or the current one offered in Argentina also 2.2 but with 135HP of power, in all cases including turbocharger and intercooler.

Connectivity will be a great differential, as it will include the integrated Ford Pass Connect modem that will allow optimization of work, help owners to be more productive, to know location, receive remote instructions via cell phone such as opening and closing doors, tracking fuel use, kilometers traveled and manage the tickets to the workshop. A vehicle that will be ready in Brazil with more than 100 dealers ready to provide support and that as orders are regularized, it will be able to move to other markets.

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SCANIA DELIVERY IN MEXICO 20 URBAN BUSES K250 DIESEL EURO VI CARRIED BY BECCAR

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XPI INJECTION AND LOW ENTRY ALSO HIGHLIGHT

Colombiabus newsroom – Scania México

After a tough bidding process, Scania has delivered 20 buses in Mexico to the City of Mérida (Yucatán State), for its client Mobility ADO. On this occasion, the K250UB chassis with low entry has been combined with the Beccar Urviabus body, produced in the state of Jalisco. An order that confirms the great strategic vision of both the business and the customers, which the Swedish constructor has put especially in the introduction of sustainable transport solutions.

Scania was the first brand to introduce Euro VI gas engines, and now it does so with diesel engines. First in Guadalajara and now in the southeast of Mexico, promising with these units the improvement of fuel efficiency, and more time available in the operation of its customers.

On the K250UB chassis, the XPI (Ultra High-Pressure Injection) technology stands out, where the fuel feed and injection pressure is set regardless of engine speed and load, with exceptional precision. This sophisticated system continually adjusts to accommodate changes in engine speed and usage, so you can get the most out of every drop of diesel. For each cycle, it performs up to three fuel injections, with precise timing, improving performance and economy, while reducing harmful emissions.

The reduction in pollutant emissions reaches 80% less nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, compared to the same technology in Euro 5, additionally the engines are less noisy, which allows users to offer more comfortable trips. The 12.8 meter buses have a great boarding capacity for passengers, as it is a low entrance, it allows a more comfortable entry for those with reduced mobility.

Here there has been a great joint work between Scania and Beccar, taking advantage of the evolution of the Urviabus model, capable of carrying up to 100 passengers. Adapted to the needs of modern transport and city users: bicycle rack, storage baskets, Braille signage, demarcated seats for the elderly or pregnant women and access ramp for wheelchairs. The chassis offers kneeling system and electronically controlled air suspension.

The K250UB chassis has the DC09 109 engine with 250HP and 1,250Nm of torque, which reaches the wheels thanks to the ZF EcoLife 6-speed fully automatic transmission that includes a retarder. The brakes are disc, including the EBS system that controls the ABS.

Finally, an important part of this bus placement was the training that Scania gave to a group of 7 operators, including 3 women, who took a K 250 Euro V and Euro VI chassis knowledge and familiarization course, in both theoretical and practices with vehicles. The road tests carried out on the peripheral ring corridor of Mérida, locations where these buses will circulate.

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YUTONG CONTINUES TO ADVANCE IN MEXICO AND IS NOW TESTED IN THE STREETS OF GUADALAJARA

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THREE MODELS OF THE CHINESE BODYBUILDER

Colombiabus newsroom – William Marroquín / Pasajero 7 / Yutong Bus

It seems that Mexico now wants to be the spearhead for new mass transportation projects in Latin America, as more and more brands seek to test their vehicles in the BRT systems of the cities of the Aztec nation. Either by the start of operations or by demonstrations to the operators to evaluate the viability of their proposals and then incorporate them into the fixed line.

Yutong has been advancing very rapidly in Mexico and has generated important news at the Latin American level, first with the arrival of more than 120 trolleybuses for the country’s capital, of which it is expected to have about 500. Additionally, the tests carried out in 2020 with the 18-meter electric articulated bus, have been successful as 10 units have already been definitively incorporated into the Metrobús system of a large Mexican metropolis.

Now it is the state of Jalisco and the city of Guadalajara that receive the Yutong buses, with three models, each with different technology: natural gas, diesel and hybrid, which are only differentiated by the location of the fuel tanks, since they are of 10.8 meters in length. The first of them is the ZK6116HG, which is rolling on the routes of the Mi Transporte system.

Externally, the ZK6116HG has some features already seen in the award-winning U12 electric bus that appeared in 2019, combining straight lines and large arches, to give it a futuristic look that is complemented by sloping surfaces and rounded corners, ideal that give it a lot of eye-catching on the sides cities. While the interior allows accommodating 100 passengers with great comfort, of which 29 travel seated.

It is powered by a Yuchai origin engine of the YC6G family, dedicated to run on natural gas, with 7,800cc of displacement, 6 cylinders, turbocharged and intercooled that produces 260HP at 2,300 revolutions and 980Nm of torque between 1,300 and 1,700 revolutions. The transmission is automatic, provided by ZF of the EcoLife family, with 6 speeds and fuel saving system. It can accommodate up to 8 tanks, each with a capacity to store up to 120 liters of gas.

The suspension is pneumatic with electronic level control (ECAS) and kneeling function to improve accessibility; it also features ABS and ASR traction control. The active safety system with adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and automatic braking are options, as well as the EBS braking system.

For the occupants to have a better life on board, the USB ports, the sanitization system with UVL lamps, delimited spaces for those traveling in wheelchairs, as well as an access ramp. For maximum system reliability, the batteries have liquid cooling, the electronic control is integrated in order to reduce voltage peaks, while the electrical system is shock-proof.

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VOLARE PRESENTS THE LONGEST VERSION OF ITS FLY10 FOR CHARTER SERVICE WITH 38 SEATS

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OPTIONALLY OFFER AIR SUSPENSION

Colombiabus newsroom – Volare Onibus

Volare, the Marcopolo brand that specializes in mini and midibuses, announced the arrival on the market of a new version of its Fly10, specially conceived for rental services for business transport, excursions, tourism and occasional trips on short routes.

The Fly10 is the Volare model with the highest capacity and with this new version, the number of seats increases, being able to transport up to 38 passengers thanks to its 10,145 mm in length. With this vehicle, operating costs can be reduced by up to 35%, compared to larger buses and passenger space, due to lower fuel consumption. Additionally, the initial purchase price is up to 20% less, which allows carriers to have a very favorable Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

The seats, one of the main hallmarks of the interior, are the 1060 Soft Executive model, with a width typical of the large buses of the brand. It also offers as options, the accessibility device, by means of a mobile armchair (DPM) or with a ramp to allow people with reduced mobility to easily board the bus. Greater space helps to have better circulation inside the Fly10, with a vinyl floor that imitates wood and gives it an air of elegance.

The economy and simplicity of operation are also favored thanks to the Cummins ISF 3.8 engine with 162HP of power. A very interesting detail for operators who wish to provide maximum ride comfort on the road, will be the possibility of equipping the Fly10 with air suspension. The braking system is electro-pneumatic and for interior comfort USB ports are offered for recharging devices, air conditioning, cup holders, luggage rack and preparation for the audio and video system.

The economy and simplicity of operation are also favored thanks to the Cummins ISF 3.8 engine with 162HP of power. A very interesting detail for operators who wish to provide maximum ride comfort on the road, will be the possibility of equipping the Fly10 with air suspension. The braking system is electro-pneumatic and for interior comfort USB ports are offered for recharging devices, air conditioning, cup holders, luggage rack and preparation for the audio and video system.

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VOLVO IS LOOKING FOR BODYWORKERS FOR THE E-BUSES IT EXPECTS TO SELL IN MEXICO

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MUST FIT 7900 ELECTRIC CHASSIS

 Colombiabus newsroom – Revista Via Libre

The Volvo 7900 electric bus arrived in Mexico in 2021 to be much more than a test vehicle, for the country’s urban transport operators to evaluate it and obtain key information to make their transport electrification projects viable. Since it arrived, it has been discussed, manufacturing possibilities at the company’s plant in Tultitlán, considering that the current model that travels the country on demonstration routes has European origin, built in Poland, at the Grudziadz plant.

But it is also necessary to have bodies of local development that allow, in addition to boosting the development of the Mexican bus industry, offer versions at more competitive prices and have better weapons to face the Chinese brands that have been arriving in the country with their integral units.

That is why the Swedish manufacturer is looking for bodies that are coupled to the 7900 electric platforms, which could accompany the original Volvo. This experience is not new, since at the time the articulated 7300 had both integral versions (chassis and bodywork), in addition to options in charge of both AYCO and Marcopolo.

Rafael Kisel, general manager of Volvo Buses México, has said several times that they are looking for the equation that best responds to the needs of the Mexican market, and if in foreign buses a large part of their success has been working closely with body manufacturers Mexicans, in electric buses would be a formula to find more competitive prices.

Marcopolo is already aware of Volvo’s initiative, and they would be willing to develop an electric version of the Torino to integrate with the 7900 chassis, which could expand the collaboration between the brands to develop articulated and bi-articulated versions, which in many cases are the axis of the renewal of fleets in massive systems and BRT not only in Mexico, but throughout Latin America, as could be seen in the renewal of Transmilenio’s trunk fleet, mostly made up of 27-meter bi-articulated ones.

AYCO, could also be a candidate, considering that work has already been done with Volvo, it is also capable of coupling to other chassis, which, at least initially, could facilitate the development of a version suitable for the 7900.