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Van Hool, the Belgian manufacturer of buses, touring coaches and industrial vehicles, will be presenting the EX, a brand-new line of touring coaches for the European market, at the ‘International Motor Show IAA Commercial Vehicles’ (25 September 2014 through 2 October 2014). With the world premiere of the EX, Van Hool is taking a new step in the company´s richly-filled history. The EX line will initially be marketed in 2 heights and 3 lengths. The model palette is composed of more standardised 2- or 3-axle vehicles which, depending on the configuration, can be used for the transport of tourists, scheduled services or intercity services. As of the fourth quarter of 2014, the EX will be built in the Van Hool plant in Skopje, Macedonia and, as of the first quarter of 2015, one will be able to admire it on European roads. A further extension of the EX range is planned, but no details have been released on this yet.
As the company’s CEO Filip Van Hool explains: "With the EX, Van Hool also wants to reach new customers throughout Europe and break into new markets. The EX is the entry-level model for primarily touring coach companies and scheduled service operators who know the values of the Van Hool line: great reliability of the vehicle combined with a high level of finishing. Moreover, the standardised EX range will be marketed at very competitive prices because the option list is being kept rather limited and because the vehicle - like similar vehicles from competitors - is being built in a country (Macedonia) where the overall production costs are lower than in Western Europe. The Van Hool plant in Skopje, Macedonia, has the capacity to build this new line, and in the meantime the local employees also have the experience to take the new EX into production starting in the 4th quarter.”
The EX was wholly designed and developed in Van Hool´s parent company established in Koningshooikt, Belgium. The entirely new, modern and streamlined interior and exterior design of the EX reflects the characteristics of the vehicle: functional and efficient. All EX models are equipped with engines from the PACCAR MX11 – Euro 6 offer and get a GO manual-shift gearbox standard. ZF AsTronic and ZF Ecolife automatic gearboxes are possible as options. More detailed information will be provided at the press conference that Van Hool is organising on Tuesday, September 24th at 2 p.m. at its booth (E22) in Hall 11 during IAA 2014 in Hannover, Germany.