OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
- New generation of the most successful regular-service bus of all time
- Official presentation of the all-new bus
- The Citaro sets the standards for economy, safety, comfort and design
- Daimler Board of Management Member Andreas Renschler: “The new Mercedes-Benz Citaro city bus will enable us to play a key role in shaping the future of local public transportation.”
Mannheim/Stuttgart, Germany, May 20, 2011 – With sales of over 31,000 units during 13 years of production, the Mercedes-Benz Citaro is the most successful regular-service bus of all time. Today, the vehicle’s success story advanced to the next round, when the all-new Mercedes-Benz Citaro regular-service bus was presented at the Mannheim bus plant to more than 150 European journalists for the first time. The new Citaro was unveiled and presented by Andreas Renschler, Daimler Board of Management Member responsible for Daimler Trucks and Daimler Buses, and Hartmut Schick, Head of Daimler Buses.
“The new Mercedes-Benz Citaro city bus will enable us to play a key role in shaping the future of local public transportation, and it once again demonstrates that Daimler’s bus business expertise is unsurpassed,” said Renschler at the event in Mannheim. “The new Citaro uncompromisingly focuses on economy, comfort, and safety, and its design will be an attractive sight in any urban environment.”
The Citaro’s design is clearly a completely new development — from the headlights to the taillights. A particularly striking element is the Citaro’s new “face,” which consists of large, almond-shaped headlights and a more rounded front section. Brighter colors and an understated ceiling design make the bus interior even more inviting, and the driver will now enjoy a new raised seat. In addition, the dashboard has been made considerably more informative and ergonomic.
The new Mercedes-Benz Citaro’s safety concept also sets standards. The regular-service city bus now comes with the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) for the first time. Other unique features include the front collision guard and the further reinforced framework structure.
The proven technology used in the new Citaro ensures it is economical and environmentally friendly. Powering the new bus are the fuel-efficient, environmentally compatible engines found in its predecessor, which use BlueTec diesel technology to meet the Euro V and EEV emissions standards.
“Besides being equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the new Citaro is the result of tremendous dedication and passion,” says Hartmut Schick, Head of Daimler Buses. “I’m convinced the new Citaro will be even more successful than its predecessor and once again set new benchmarks.”
The Citaro — an unparalleled success story
The Mercedes-Benz Citaro is the most successful regular-service city bus in history. More than 31,000 units of this bus have rolled off the line since series production began in 1998. Use of the vehicle in nearly all of Europe’s major cities and far beyond have made the bus well-known worldwide. The Citaro was first introduced at the UITP Congress in Stuttgart in 1997, and since then it has enjoyed a string of successes as a bus for regular-service urban and intercity operations.
About Daimler Buses
Daimler Buses is the world’s leading manufacturer of buses and bus chassis of eight tons GVW and up. In 2010, Daimler Buses employed a total of 17,134 people around the world and sold more than 39,100 vehicles. The product range covers urban and intercity buses, as well as travel coaches, and includes everything from minibuses to double-deckers — with different engines and equipment features available for all vehicles. European bus operations are managed by EvoBus GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler AG.
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