Wrightbus claims market domination
Wrightbus says it continues to lead the UK’s bus sector, claiming a 40% market share.
The manufacturer reports delivering 22 buses a week throughout 2024. According to the DVLA figures, the Ballymena firm has registered 786 buses so far this year, which it says is 250 more than its nearest rivals.
Its double-decker EV had 598 registrations, with the single-deck version selling 164. A record-breaking 142 buses rolled off the production line in August alone.
The numbers do not include the hundreds of buses Wrightbus has made for customers in Europe and the Far East, which have underlined the company’s global aspirations. Neither does it take into account the order book of NewPower, a repowering service launched by Wrightbus in June which swaps out old diesel engines for an electric powertrain.
“We have more landmark orders to announce later this year” – CEO, Jean-Marc Gales
CEO, Jean-Marc Gales, said: “The factory is an incredible place to be at the moment. A record 142 buses in August and we have broken through the 2,000-employee barrier.
“We have more landmark orders to announce later this year and we also unveiled our hydrogen coach demonstrator which will go into production in 2026.
“Our growth is thanks to the incredible support we receive from our customers and of course from our workforce. We could not achieve this growth without the commitment of each of them.
“We are selling in the UK, so we believe in supporting the UK economy. Our ecosystem includes suppliers from 47 counties across the United Kingdom, generating thousands of jobs and millions of pounds in revenue for businesses producing everything from heating systems and powertrains to laser cutting and fabrication. We all share in this success.
“Our ambition from day one has been to reduce the environmental impact of public transport – slashing emissions in our towns and cities quicker than any other industry – and we will remain committed to investing in the best technology to develop even more efficient solutions.
“There is no room for standing still; innovation has been at the core of our business since we were founded in 1946 and we continue to dedicate enormous amounts of time, money and effort into staying ahead of the curve.”