VDL Bus & Coach has officially inaugurated its new production facility for electric buses in Roeselare, Belgium. The company will use the plant to manufacture the latest generation of its Citea electric city buses in series.
The 77,000-square-metre plant has been operational for some time, although the exact duration was not specified by VDL. The facility has an annual production capacity of approximately 800 buses.
Originally scheduled to open in 2021, the plant faced delays due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The foundation stone was laid on February 8, 2022. According to VDL, the building reflects the company’s sustainability and innovation philosophy, incorporating design elements such as a heating and cooling concept, solar panels, and a green roof.
Despite the new facility’s capacity to meet current demand for the new Citea series, VDL will continue to assemble its electric city buses at the Valkenswaard site. This approach maximizes production capacity utilization and enhances flexibility, according to the company.
The opening of the Roeselare plant has implications for another production site – that of Belgian manufacturer Van Hool, which declared bankruptcy at the beginning of the week. VDL and German trailer specialist Schmitz Cargobull have submitted a takeover bid for Van Hool, with Schmitz Cargobull interested in the trailer division. While VDL has little interest in Van Hool’s electric bus business, it is interested in the luxury coach segment. The insolvency of Van Hool coinciding with the opening of the new electric bus plant was considered unfortunate timing.
VDL emphasizes its commitment to European production, citing a reliable network of facilities close to customers and skilled workers who use sustainable production methods. Rolf-Jan Zweep, CEO of VDL Bus & Coach, stated, “Our employees are highly qualified and use state-of-the-art technology to produce the electric buses of today and of the future.”
