Van Hool: deposits likely lost. Van Hool UK at risk?
THIS STORY HAS BEEN EDITED IN LIGHT OF FURTHER INFORMATION WE HAVE RECEIVED REGARDING THE VAN HOOL UK OPERATION AT WELLINGBOROUGH
Van Hool customers whose deposits for vehicles were trapped in the company’s insolvency have been told that they must apply to the ‘curators’ (receivers) for a refund, though it is believed unlikely they will receive more than a fraction of money owed.
The VDL Groep has pointed out that its purchase of many of the coachbuilding assets of Van Hool did not include any debts, but they have indicated that customers who had coaches on order can re-order the vehicles – in some cases, with the quoted price honoured – from VDL Groep, and the North Macedonia coachbuilding plant will build them. VDL says it will match the warranty.
In the UK, fear over parts supply and service from Van Hool UK has been stoked by documents suggesting that the Wellingborough-based company has been closed. However, since we published out original story, we have been informed that Wellingborough is operating as normal. Calls from our office have not been answered at the time of this amendment.
- B&CB has had confirmation from a senior European journalist that Ile-de-France Mobilités – which had ordered 24-metre articulated electric Van Hool buses in time for this summer’s Olympics in Paris, is now in urgent discussion with build partners Kiepe and Alstom, trying to find a way to complete the order.