(29 Jul 2014, 9:13 am)Dan wrote See our fleet list for the chassis variations.
DAF SB120/Wright Cadet
VDL SB120/Wright Merit
They look similar to Renowns because of the Wright bodywork, which is what those vehicles have in common with Volvo B10BLEs.
There are variations in the bodywork because they were manufactured at different times. A similar example that you should be familiar with (living in the Stanley area) would be the rear lights on the Venture Solos compared to all the others in the fleet which were new in 2011/12 - the bodywork has been altered slightly this year but Optare hasn't manufactured them as a different product as they are pretty much the same.
When they first arrived, GNE listed them as Volvos, yes. Reason why is explained on the Wiki article for the VDL SB120: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/VDL_SB120
The Merits were purchased from Volvo dealer stock, whereas, so far as I know, the Cadets were ordered directly from Wrights.
I find I get easily confused by buses, especially when you have what is essentially the same bus built by different manufacturers