Cannon to build DAF midicoach wholly in UK

Cannon Bus of Northern Ireland is to begin building midicoaches in Northern Ireland. It has reached agreement with Leyland DAF for the supply of Euro VI chassis components that it will build into its own 10.0 tonne chassis. The chassis components for the vehicle will be warranted by Leyland DAF on a two-year warranty (with an option for a third year) and will be supported by the DAF national and international dealer system. The vehicle will be bodied by Cannon Bus at its Strabane base. The prototype is currently in build and is expected to emerge later this year. William Cannon revealed to Bus & Coach Buyer that it already has orders for the vehicle.

Cannon Bus showed a midicoach using DAF componentry at the 2015 Coach and Bus Show and this was later reviewed by Bus & Coach Buyer reporter Rob Orchard in March 2016 (see B&CB issue 1373, 8 April 2016). At the time the plan was to body the vehicle at the Irish bodybuilders Eurocoach of Donegal but because of the uncertainties over Brexit this has now been changed to bodying wholly within Northern Ireland.