Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) will expand its bus sales region to include all 
right-hand-drive markets in 
Southern Africa, including 
Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi, Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho and Mauritius, as well as Tan-zania, Kenya and Uganda.

Whereas buses were previously procured and looked after from Brazil and Germany, they will now be assembled by the MBSA bus plant, in East London, with sales and service support to flow from South Africa, says MBSA bus and coach divisional manager Jan Aichinger.

MBSA has already received an order from a transport company in Zimbabwe for 26 buses.

“This is definitely a good move for MBSA,” says Aichinger.

He believes the Southern African market may add another 
100 units a year or more to MBSA’s bus business.

MBSA produced 560 bus 
chassis at its plant in East London last year. 
These bus chassis are then 
fitted with bus bodies from 
various manufacturers, such as Marcopolo.

The South African bus market numbers 1 500 units to 1 800 units a year.

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