By Theodore Opara

Weststar Associates Limited, authorised distributors of Mercedes Benz, Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge products in Nigeria has unveiled the Neobus N10 luxury coach into the market with array of incentives to customers.

The luxury coach which was unveiled at the Weststar Associates Lekki, Lagos office recently looks classy and elegant  with high-end features in luxury coach technology.

Speaking at the launch, the Managing Director Weststar Associates, Mr. Mirko Plath explained that the Neobus has all it takes to be the toast of luxury bus operators with its array of modern feature, competitive price and built quality which are the hallmarks of Mercedes Benz products.

He pointed out that free training for drivers, availability of parts, free spare parts such as windscreen, headlamps mirrors and front bumpers are some of the incentives on offer for buyers of the new Mercedes Neobus from Weststar.

He described the Weststar after-sales backup as one of the best in the industry, adding that they always stand by the customers at all times. “At Weststar, customers satisfaction is very paramount, hence, we are offering these whole lot of extras free to enable customers replace them when the need arise. On the threats posed by Chinese made luxury buses, the managing director explained that their quality stands them out.

“We are not compromising quality. Nothing will make Weststar go for cheaper buses at the expense of quality, safety and other standards”, he said.

Continuing, he said “we cannot begin to compete with Chinese products. Our approach is different. The vehicles we are bringing into the country offer our customers value for their money.

In his presentation, the managing director of Neo Bus Africa and coach (PTY) Limited, Mr.  Alberto Punnalin highlighted the qualities of the new bus luxury bus he said ranks among the best luxury coaches around the world, adding that they were not in competition with Chinese coaches.

According to him, “in addition, in order to be compliant with the international body resistance rule, high materials were used to build new record N10 bus. So with less weight, the bus can comfortably transport more passengers.”

“The proliferation of Chinese products are not peculiar to Nigerian market alone, but there are different customers, while some will go for Chinese coaches others will go for high-end coaches like the Neobus N10,” he said.

The Neobus according to him are available in luxury coaches, BRT,  school buses, mini buses, intercity buses and extra long version that can take up to 220 passengers while the double decker version will soon be introduced.

There are 59 (2×2) re-cline able seats with leatherflex covers, footrest and folding armrests.  The toilet, which is optional, has been developed to users’ comfort with plenty of room to ensure easy access. It also has a mechanical ventilation system that always generates negative pressure inside, ensuring that smells do not get into the passengers room. It is cooled and has LED lighting, while the taps have a mechanical timer.

“New Road – N10 is all about the new design philosophy of Neobus, bringing the DNA of products to a higher level. The main characteristics are: fluid sculpture, V-angled cut-outs and sharp creases with an up-righting concept. It is completely different from its competitors due to its originality and elegance”, says the Design Manager of Neobus, Leonidas Fleith

The body of NewRoad N10 comes on a Mercedes-Benz 0-500 RSD 6×2 Chassis. The bus also consists of 6 in-line vertical cylinders, air suspensions, and has an OM-457 LA- PROCONVE P-5 (Euro III) engine with 360 horsepower

In addition, the N10 has also been developed to meet the stricter safety standards, R66, version 1, which involves under-going structural calculations by finite elements, in addition to tipping tests, front/side impact tests, maximum side-bending tests and survival cell test.