Volgren is an Australian bus bodybuilder.

History

Volgren was formed in 1977 by Melbourne bus operator Grenda Corporation in Dandenong, Victoria.^[1] Because Grenda held the Volvo Buses dealership in Victoria, only chassis from this manufacturer were bodied until 1989 when the dealership was relinquished.^[2]

The name is a portmanteau of the two original investors, Volvo and Grenda.

In 1981 a plant was established in Acacia Ridge, Queensland by Grenda Corporation, Hornibrook Bus Lines's Geoff Mountjoy, Greyhound Northern and Stateliner. It bodied some Volvo B59 and B10Rs for Hornibrook Bus Lines and Surfside Buslines before concentrating on Twin and Double Deck Volvo B10M coaches.^[3][4] This closed in the late 1980s.

In December 2011, Brazilian bus manufacturer Marcopolo acquired a 75% shareholding.<

Volgren is an Australian bus bodybuilder.

History

Volgren was formed in 1977 by Melbourne bus operator Grenda Corporation in Dandenong, Victoria.^[1] Because Grenda held the Volvo Buses dealership in Victoria, only chassis from this manufacturer were bodied until 1989 when the dealership was relinquished.^[2]

The name is a portmanteauVolgren was formed in 1977 by Melbourne bus operator Grenda Corporation in Dandenong, Victoria.^[1] Because Grenda held the Volvo Buses dealership in Victoria, only chassis from this manufacturer were bodied until 1989 when the dealership was relinquished.^[2]

The name is a portmanteau of the two original investors, Volvo and Grenda.

In 1981 a plant was established in Acacia Ridge, Queensland by Grenda Corporation, Hornibrook Bus Lines's Geoff Mountjoy, Greyhound Northern and Stateliner. It bodied some Volvo B59 and B10Rs for Hornibrook Bus Lines and Surfside Buslines before concentrating on Twin and Double Deck Volvo B10M coaches.^[3][4] This closed in the late 1980s.

In December 2011, Brazilian bus manufacturer Marcopolo acquired a 75% shareholding.^[5] In April 2014 this was increased to 100%.^{portmanteau of the two original investors, Volvo and Grenda.}

In 1981 a plant was established in Acacia Ridge, Queensland by Grenda Corporation, Hornibrook Bus Lines's Geoff Mountjoy, Greyhound Northern and Stateliner. It bodied some Volvo B59 and B10Rs for Hornibrook Bus Lines and Surfside Buslines before concentrating on Twin and Double Deck Volvo B10M coaches.^[3][4] This closed in the late 1980s.

In December 2011, Brazilian bus manufacturer Marcopolo acquired a 75% shareholding.^[5] In April 2014 this was increased to 100%.^[6]

Current factories:

• Dandenong, Victoria (VG) completed Volgren's first bus in October 1979^[7]
• Malaga, Western Australia

  Former factories:

  • Tomago, New South Wales (VT) opened in March 2010, closed July 2012^[11][12]

  Asian operators

  Volgren have bodied a number of buses for Asian operators:

  • Hong Kong
    • Kowloon Motor Bus operates 1 Volvo B9TL. It formerly operated 17 Kowloon Motor Bus operates 1 Volvo B9TL. It formerly operated 17 MAN 24.310 HOCLNR-NLs and 21 Volvo Super Olympians.
    • Citybus formerly operated 1 MAN 24.350 HOCLNR-NL and 1 Volvo B10M converted to a motorhome