Numerous decades of knowledge and technological development is allowing Yutong Australia to bring its leading electric chassis models to the local market

It’s been more than 60 years since Yutong was first founded as Zhengzhou Bus Repair factory. The Chinese company took three decades until it was officially known as Yutong when Zhengzhou Yutong Bus was formed in 1993 with a sales volume of 689 units. In the years since, Yutong has become a household name in the transport sphere, emerging as a global giant in the bus and coach manufacturing market.

Yutong’s rise to popularity took hold in 1997 when it became the first Chinese bus company to be publicly listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Nowadays, Yutong buses are exported around the world, with a global share of more than 10 per cent.

One of its emerging markets is in Australia, where Yutong has brought its might and quality to the country’s bus industry since first establishing a Sydney base in 2012.

“Yutong Australia has quickly become a cornerstone of the Australian transport industry,” Managing Director of Yutong Australia, Charles Hwang told ABC.

“As a subsidiary of Yutong Bus, we bring decades of expertise and cutting-edge technology to the bus and coach industry.

“Over the past 12 years, Yutong Australia has reached a total delivery figure of more than 1,800 vehicles to date – serving as a testament to our unwavering commitment to quality, reliability and customer satisfaction.”

There have been many international manufacturers who have tried and failed to set up Australian branches to serve the local bus and coach industry. What has made Yutong special in its endeavour to become a leading player in the Australian market is its willingness to collaborate with local partners, including its local dealer Vehicle Dealers International (VDI).

“VDI has become a driving force in the Australian bus industry, finishing 2024 in second position with 325 buses delivered to Australian operators, giving them a 17 per cent market share,” Charles says.

“VDI is a proudly owned Australian company that distributes Yutong buses all around Australia. VDI’s partnership with Yutong, through state trials and collaborative partnerships with operators and governments, is allowing the brand to be at the forefront of the electric bus revolution in Australia.”

While Yutong has enhanced its capabilities to reduce a variety of bus models and types across its many global markets, its chassis have been its bread and butter. Since first launching its overseas market strategy in 2005 by becoming the first Chinese bus builder to export CKD parts, Yutong has supplied a range of diesel and electric chassis to many international regions.

Australia may be a growing arm for the brand, but it joins established Yutong segments such as in Latin America and Europe, where Yutong has become a leading chassis supplier. While Yutong Australia is looking at producing more options for local bodybuilders in future, the core content it will bring to Australia will continue to be its chassis varieties.

“From our diesel D7, C10 and C12 through to our battery electric D7E, C12E, E7S and E12, Yutong’s products portfolio can cover the major segments. In the future, we plan to bring more chassis options to Australia besides E12.” Director of E-chassis overseas, Daniel Huo says.

“Our E12 chassis route service bus has become a leading option in Australia, with the lightweight model providing dual charge capabilities for operators.”

“Supporting this fleet of chassis models is Yutong’s latest electrical technology, including its Yutong Electrical Safety System (YESS) and Yutong Electric Architecture (YEA) that it unveiled in the Asia-Pacific last year. YEA is the first electric vehicle specific platform in the commercial vehicle industry designed to integrate software and hardware onboard buses. “

“At the core of this technology is the C architecture and YOS, which are both independently developed by Yutong,” These latest technologies will be gradually applied to Yutong electrical vehicles on sale or in planning,” Factory representative Alex says.

In a local sense, Yutong Australia reached a milestone last year when it cooperated with local bodybuilder Volgren on the E12 model. The electric E12 chassis from Yutong has been paired with Volgren’s electric Optimus body to create a model ideally suited to new-age Australian operators.

The model came courtesy of Yutong’s international roots. At a global level, Yutong and Marcopolo are strategic partners, with Volgren being a wholly-owned subsidiary of the latter. After both parties completed trial productions of the prototype E12/Optimus combination in Australia, the pair are hoping governments and operators continue trying the electric bus moving forward.

“The Australian chassis is a customised model derived from our leading option in the E12,” Daniel says.

“Unlike standard city bus chassis, the middle section is a fixed design, which was jointly completed with Volgren. The battery placement is on the roof and in the rear of the bus, consistent with the design habits of other Australian bus body manufacturers.”

At a global level, this collaboration is not unusual for Yutong. It currently deploys its chassis in Brazil, Mexico, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Malaysia and South Africa, as well as throughout China. In Mexico, Yutong Group’s work with Marcopolo has shown the two companies can produce the latest technology in various regions with ease.

“Yutong, in collaboration with Marcopolo through a dual-brand strategy, delivered 45 units of 12m pure electric buses to the city of Monterrey in Mexico,” Daniel says.

“Since these vehicles were put into operation, they have provided more than three months of efficient service and have received high praise from the local public transport system.

“Feedback from both the company’s management and the drivers have said that the Yutong vehicles offer excellent handling, great air-conditioning and superb acceleration performance.

“Yutong, with its solid capabilities, has played a key role in helping the local public transport system in Monterrey take a significant step towards achieving a green transformation.”

In Australia, Yutong’s view is that the increasingly stringent environmental protection policies in place means new energy vehicles have become the future of public transport. This means Yutong’s pure electric chassis can provide customisable solutions for the Australian market and promote low-carbon travel to achieve sustainable development goals.

Yutong has closely aligned its chassis technology it has introduced into the country with its green city planning and environmental protection goals, aiming to provide vehicles that improve urban transport efficiency and air quality. Covering the bus, highway, school bus and double-decker segments, Yutong’s fleet range from seven to 18 metres in length.

For operators wanting to check out the E12 and Yutong’s latest global technology that it is bringing to Australia, Alex says it has a prototype it is touring around Victoria currently.

“We invite Australian operators and industry experts to participate in our roadshow activities and conduct on-site test rides to gain a deeper understanding of our high efficiency and environmentally advantageous products,” Alex says.

“It’s not a product display, but an opportunity to try our technology and establish a long-term partnership with Yutong Bus. We’re inviting Victorian operators to see the demo, and we’re planning on bringing the bus to other states in future if operators want it there.”

The Volgren Optimus Yutong E12 represents the future of bus transport. This model is the lightest electric bus in our entire fleet. Yutong‘s local bodybuilder prartner, Volgren stated.

With the potential for an electric school and tour bus model to arrive in Australia in the near future, Yutong Australia is preparing to expand its global power to another area as soon as possible.

“Yutong hopes to stand more closely with governments and operators in Australia to provide a variety of products and solutions, including complete vehicles, driveable knockdowns and chassis and local body solutions,” Charles says.

“We want to allow each state, territory and operator to make more flexible choices based on their needs.

“In the meantime, Yutong will continue moving forward on the path of innovation and remains committed to providing the most advanced new energy technologies to the Australian market.”

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