Karsan plans UK entry later this year

Turkish bus manufacturer Karsan has repeated its intention to enter the UK market, saying it plans to make its debut at the end of the year.

B&CB was first to report the company’s plans to enter the market in January this year. The move follows its success in fellow right-hand drive market Japan, where in December 2023 the manufacturer delivered its electric e-JEST minibus. Earlier this year, the company said it aims to initially launch its 6m e-JEST in the UK, after which it would evaluate the midibus market. It has been seeking a UK distributor for its vehicles.

“In this context, we plan to introduce the right-hand drive e-JEST to the UK market at the end of this year” – Muzaffer Arpacıoğlu, Deputy General Manager of Karsan

Muzaffer Arpacıoğlu, Deputy General Manager of Karsan, said: “We continue to take important steps as part of our vision of being ‘One Step Ahead in the Future of Mobility’ and Karsan Electric e-VOLUTION journey. Just 3 years after launching our first electric model, we became the first brand to offer the full e-range in all sizes from 6 meters to 18 meters. We are also the only European brand that can offer electric, hydrogen and autonomous technologies in public transportation at the same time. As of today, in 23 countries more than 1,100 Karsan electric buses provide environmentally friendly and high comfort services to the people. We have already reached an experience of more than 160 million kilometres, which guides us in developing both our existing vehicles and our new vehicles.

“Our goal is to become a global mobility leader in our industry and make Karsan a global brand. This year, we aim to maintain our position at the top by increasing our growth rate in electric segment. We have also put other right-hand drive countries on our agenda after the Japanese market. In this context, we plan to introduce the right-hand drive e-JEST to the UK market at the end of this year.”