United Bus was a bus manufacturing group created by
DAF Bus and
Bova (both from the Netherlands) in 1989. It was later joined by
Den Oudsten
Den Oudsten Bussen B.V. was a Dutch coachbuilder and components manufacturer. The company was founded in 1926 by a local carriage-builder, Marinus den Oudsten. Its headquarters were just outside the city of Woerden. It eventually ceased all ac ...
(Netherlands),
Optare
Switch Mobility (originally called Optare) is an English bus manufacturer based in Sherburn-in-Elmet, North Yorkshire. It is a subsidiary of Indian company Ashok Leyland. The company would be responsible for the EV operations of the group with ...
(UK), and
DAB (Denmark).
Mergers
''Commercial Motor'' 21 June 1990
Collaborations
The collaboration between DAF and Optare led to the introduction of the DAF DB250
The VDL DB250 (originally the DAF DB250) was a twin-axle double-decker bus chassis manufactured by VDL Bus & Coach.
DB250
The DAF DB250 was launched in October 1991 and originally only available with Optare Spectra bodywork with 260 built, mai ...
double-decker with Optare Spectra
The Optare Spectra was a double-decker bus body built on the DAF (now VDL) DB250 chassis between 1991 and 2006.
The vehicle was developed as a joint project between Optare and DAF; it was based on the designs of the successful MCW Metrobus, ...
bodywork. This was the first partly low-floor double-decker and set the standard for future developments.
Demise
Due to the 1991-1995 world recession, United Bus filed for bankruptcy in 1993, though the partners survived independently.[
]
References
Bus manufacturers of the Netherlands
Vehicle manufacturing companies disestablished in 1989
Dutch companies established in 1989
Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1989
Dutch companies disestablished in 1993
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