Name | NEOPLAN Bus GmbH |
---|---|
Logo | |
Caption | VIP Class |
Type | Private company with limited liability - GmbH, subsidiary of MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG |
Foundation | 1 July 1935 |
Founder | Gottlob Auwärter |
Location | Stuttgart, Germany |
Locations | Plauen, Saxony, Germany |
Key people | Joachim Reinmuth, Chairman of the Board of Managementformer designers: Albrecht Auwärter, Bob Lee, Konrad Auwärter |
Industry | Automotive |
Products | BusesCoachesTrolleybuses |
Num employees | 1,300 |
Parent | MAN SE |
Homepage | NEOPLAN.de |
Intl | yes |
Both Albrecht and Lee joined NEOPLAN after university. Albrecht took over management of the company in 1965. Bob Lee became head of Engineering and Design.
In 1964, the founder's second son, Konrad Auwärter, developed a double-deck design for a service bus as part of his dissertation. The 'Do-Bus' design had low weight, and could carry over 100 passengers. It also featured a low-frame front axle with forward-mounted steering gear that permitted a low flat floor. The double-deck principle was applied to coach design, creating a high-capacity comfortable vehicle for touring. This vehicle was known as the Skyliner,.
A second manufacturing facility opened in Pilsting in 1973, and a third opening in Kumasi, Ghana in December 1974 to support a large order.
In 1975 the Jumbocruiser was launched, a double-deck articulated coach long and high. The Spaceliner, introduced in 1979 took the Cityliner concept of passenger floor level above the driver, and extended the actual floor above the cab. This kept the height of the vehicle lower than a double-decker, at , but still allowed installation of toilets, kitchens or sleep cabins below the passenger compartment.
In 1980, the United Kingdom deregulated services over in length. This led to intense competition on a variety of long-distance services, with operators looking to differentiate their service. NEOPLAN vehicles, with their futuristic design and high quality construction, began to be imported in greater numbers.
The Metroliner was introduced in 1988. This vehicle was the first full monocoque bus in the world, requiring no separate chassis or skeleton.
In 1992, the four-axle Megaliner was introduced, prompting a change in European Union regulations to allow non-articulated vehicles greater than in length. The Starliner was introduced in 1996, and would go on to win the Bus of the Year award for two consecutive years - in 1998 and 1999.
A new coach designed for touring was introduced in 2003 under the name Tourliner, and the Starliner was redesigned in 2004 and included Electronic Stability Programme (ESP).
The Trendliner was released in 2004, as a 'dual purpose' intercity and combination bus - which is designed to be used seven days a week.
In 2005, two new shorter versions of the Tourliner and Trendliner were released. From 2006, Euro4 compliant engines from MAN began being fitted in the new generation Cityliner.
In 2007, a new Auwärter Museum was opened in Landau/Isar.
On 1 February 2008, NEOMAN Bus GmbH was fully integrated into the Bus Division of the larger MAN Nutzfahrzeuge Group, and ceased to exist in its own right. NEOPLAN and MAN AG Buses now operate as two separate but integrated marques of MAN Nutzfahrzeuge Group. As a result of the reorganisation and restructuring of the Bus Division, NEOPLAN will concentrate on production at its Plauen and Pilsting sites, with Plauen being used for luxury coaches, whilst Pilsting will concentrate on customisations.
In January 2007 a Neoplan Skyliner operated by National Express Coaches overturned and crashed on the M25 motorway near Heathrow Airport, killing two passengers; a third passenger died six-months later due to the injuries sustained in the crash. The company temporarily withdrew all twelve Skyliners from service pending investigations The crash was deemed to have been caused by travelling at excessive speed and the driver was charged with three counts of causing death by dangerous driving. He was subsequently jailed for five years and banned from driving for three years. No safety issues were found.
On 28 May 2008 in Japan one of two Neoplan Megaliners operated by West JR Bus Company caught fire while in service, and burnt out completely. No passengers were injured. The company resumed operations with its second Megaliner from July 2008.
On 16 March 2009 in Japan one of two Megaliners operated by JR Kanto Bus Company caught fire on an overnight Seishun Mega-Dream Go service between Osaka and Tokyo. The 77 passengers and driver evacuated safely before the coach was completely destroyed by fire. Following this accident, both operators suspended operations of the remaining two Megaliners in Japan.
Category:Companies established in 1935 Category:Bus manufacturers Category:Trolleybus manufacturers Category:German brands Category:MAN SE Category:Companies based in Stuttgart Category:Motor vehicle manufacturers of Germany
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