(13 Jun 2018, 2:46 pm)Dan wrote Doubtful that it has anything to do with keeping the business in Scotland, although no doubt that message will be used for PR (as Transdev do for Optare in Yorkshire).
They've had a fair few issues with Wrightbus not getting the Hanover specification correct in recent orders, I understand, with local Hanover service engineers having to right the wrongs which ought to have been spotted in the manufacturing process (much like Go North East and Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancs!) ADL not much better (worse if anything), I believe, but bus manufacturers will promise the earth...
It's pretty well-known that Wrightbus' sales are down and knowing that Lothian invest heavily each year, I'd imagine ADL would have offered a cracking deal to Lothian, hoping that future sales will come to them too. If Wrights lose Lothian, then it's another kick in the teeth for them, and would potentially mean they have to lay off (more) staff...
Certainly isn't great for Wright at all, big blow. I always think the same with Optare, but then they seem to miraculously land a large overseas order to push them along nicely. Wright not so much.
When the other Volvo option being MCV till now, that'll be another factor to why Wright have particularly done well, being the better option.
The flop of the StreetAir for Lothian another red mark, so one wonders if these from ADL are single or double-decker, just clicked it doesn't actually specify.