Matty
Forum Member
Posts: 5,615
|
Post by Matty on Apr 9, 2012 22:13:00 GMT 1
And the Versa has a long front overhang while the Tempo has only the door in front of the wheel
|
|
|
Post by stevieinselby on Apr 9, 2012 23:05:02 GMT 1
The Versa and Tempo are aimed at two different markets though. The Versa is a midi whilst the Tempo is a full sized single decker. Quite. If either one of them were to go (I don't think they should, but if one did have to), the Versa would be the more obvious choice, because with the newly revitalised Solo range, there is more overlap there and so more opportunity for Optare to pick up business from all sectors.
|
|
|
Post by mollman on May 5, 2012 16:23:33 GMT 1
|
|
|
Post by lbaspotter on May 5, 2012 20:56:19 GMT 1
Have Optare got a new Solo on the way ? or are they discontinuing the MK1 Solo range.
|
|
|
Post by mollman on May 6, 2012 15:29:41 GMT 1
The original solo is now discontinued so only the SR will be available
|
|
Matty
Forum Member
Posts: 5,615
|
Post by Matty on May 6, 2012 21:57:07 GMT 1
They are redisigning the Solo SR and they are making an option with flat destination glass from what I heard.
|
|
|
Post by Burnside on May 7, 2012 9:56:59 GMT 1
Aso long as it doesn't look like that godawful Solo+ or whatever it was that they showed off a while back.
I still think they've dropped a clanger axing the standard Solo.
|
|
|
Post by stevieinselby on May 7, 2012 11:07:19 GMT 1
I still think they've dropped a clanger axing the standard Solo. Why? It's a 15 year old design. Things have moved on. How many other buses that were around in 1997 are still on sale today? I can't think of any. The Solo SR is now being offered in the full range of sizes and shapes that the original Solo was, so there's no problem about the choice being restricted (eg no Slimline model) because it isn't. They've kept the two products running side-by-side for 5 years, but it isn't sensible to keep on doing that indefinitely – you lose some of the efficiency of mass production – and with the SR being refreshed it is the ideal time to call a halt to the original model.
|
|
Matty
Forum Member
Posts: 5,615
|
Post by Matty on May 7, 2012 11:28:11 GMT 1
The Spectra was around from 1993 until 2006.
|
|
|
Post by mollman on May 7, 2012 15:26:33 GMT 1
It did get upgraded to a Low Floor version though
|
|
|
Post by stevieinselby on May 7, 2012 15:42:39 GMT 1
The Spectra was around from 1993 until 2006. Quite. It lasted 13 years and was then replaced because it was thoroughly out-classed by newer rivals. The original Solo has been going for 15 years. Did you have a point?
|
|
|
Post by lbaspotter on May 7, 2012 15:47:57 GMT 1
And the Delta did well too, about 11 years. Can the Metrorider also be included having been built over 13 years ?
|
|
|
Post by danielnew on May 7, 2012 17:19:10 GMT 1
The Optare Spectra didn't sell well towards the end, the Delta wasn't popular but the Solo is very popular and it's time for a refresh, but I'm not 100% convinced about the SR design. It's time they launched the new decker!
|
|
|
Post by Burnside on May 7, 2012 17:37:40 GMT 1
I still think they've dropped a clanger axing the standard Solo. Why? It's a 15 year old design. Things have moved on. How many other buses that were around in 1997 are still on sale today? I can't think of any. The Solo SR is now being offered in the full range of sizes and shapes that the original Solo was, so there's no problem about the choice being restricted (eg no Slimline model) because it isn't. They've kept the two products running side-by-side for 5 years, but it isn't sensible to keep on doing that indefinitely – you lose some of the efficiency of mass production – and with the SR being refreshed it is the ideal time to call a halt to the original model. It may be a 15 year old design, but so what? Leyland produced the Atlantean for 26 years. The point i was making was although it has been in production for a long time, it is still a fresh looking design that hasn't dated and was still a popular choice.
|
|
|
Post by clifton on May 7, 2012 19:40:59 GMT 1
I agree it's time to update the Solo, but I guess if operators still like the "old" version and don't seem to have taken to the SR then Optare need to be careful. Not sure just dropping it is a good idea. The Solo has kept them afloat in recent years as volumes of there other models have never been great, although the Versa seems to be doing ok. There is also now more competition for the Solo from Wright.
Trent and Wilts & Dorset were probably the biggest UK customers for Optare, a lot of the Trent business was lost a few years ago due to delivery problems etc, W&D now being part of Go will probably mean very few if any new Optares in future.
As for the new double decker.................Huddersfield Town will win the Premiership before it's launch ;D
|
|
|
Post by dwarfer1979 on May 8, 2012 8:30:49 GMT 1
I think that part of the reason that the 'classic' Solo is still selling is the range of options available (lengths & widths inparticular) which the SR didn't offer and that Optare had priced the SR as a slightly premium priced product. With the standardisation on the SR all the lengths are now available in SR form as is a SlimLine version and as standard offering there is no price differentiation with a mechanically identical vehicle. They have also taken the opportunity to incorporate some of the body improvements from the Versa which helps reduce weight amongst other things to help cost of purchase & operation.
|
|
|
Post by lbaspotter on May 8, 2012 9:59:26 GMT 1
Optare are already looking at the Olympus SR, watch this space,,,,
|
|
Matty
Forum Member
Posts: 5,615
|
Post by Matty on May 8, 2012 20:28:24 GMT 1
No when they launch the integral, the front end is going to be re-designed like a SR
|
|
|
Post by mollman on May 9, 2012 17:26:00 GMT 1
I'm not sure about the decker. The biggest market is London where operators often forego their usual partnerships and buy anything hence First and Stagecoach both buying Scania OmniCity DDs recently. With the Borismaster now looking like a staple London bus demand for other deckers in London will be hit hard.
|
|
MT
Forum Member
Excuse me while I kiss the sky
Posts: 544
|
Post by MT on May 9, 2012 22:09:28 GMT 1
I'm not sure about the decker. The biggest market is London where operators often forego their usual partnerships and buy anything hence First and Stagecoach both buying Scania OmniCity DDs recently. With the Borismaster now looking like a staple London bus demand for other deckers in London will be hit hard. You make a good point, the double-deck market is already pritty saturated. Be a bad business decision to try and compete there, especially when they hold the monopoly in the mini (midi?) bus range with the solo. Play to your strengths? Unless demand for the Solo is down because everyone's already got one! But then surely focusing on their single deck operations would be the next logical step, since they already have singles in play. Although saying that, bringing out a decker could be a way of expanding if Optare are currently struggling. Plunge all remaining cash into a new project in a last ditch attempt to stay afloat? But I mean that's purely theoretical, I don't know Optares current financial situation.
|
|
|
Post by dwarfer1979 on May 10, 2012 8:39:55 GMT 1
The double-deck market is fairly full and how much demand there is left in London with Borsimaster is unclear but since Optare have done most of the work already it would seem sensible to launch it as it will help with fleet orders. Both ADL & Wrightbus now can offer a full range of light-weight vehicles from 29-seats to deckers (Wrightbus using VDL marketed chassis in the big single market but mechanically similar to the rest of the range). With their new factory Optare are better placed to be able to take big fleet orders that are helped by having a decker available and there are a couple of big fleet orders up in the air which could involve deckers where Optare has a change, Nottingham being the biggest as they currently but Optare singles/midis & Scania OmniDeckers but since Optare have stopped bodying other operators chassis and Scania appear to have stopped offering the OmniCity Decker it is a complete change of body anyway which gives Optare a chance to offer the complete range if they can get in quickly enough.
|
|
|
Post by lbaspotter on May 10, 2012 20:46:10 GMT 1
Anyone remember the Optare Rapta ? It should of gone ahead my opinion.
|
|
|
Post by mollman on May 13, 2012 16:17:50 GMT 1
Anyone remember the Optare Rapta ? It should of gone ahead my opinion. It would have done had Darwin not purchased Optare as they then had the fairly new exEast Lancs Olympus which would have been a waste to replace.
|
|
|
Post by lbaspotter on May 15, 2012 19:54:52 GMT 1
The Olympus isn't a massive success like the Enviro's or Gemini's.
|
|
Davidc
Forum Member
Posts: 245
|
Post by Davidc on May 15, 2012 20:57:16 GMT 1
I have read that a few operators would have continued purchasing the Olympus if Optare was still building it.
I think Optare should have continued with the Olympus until their new double decker is ready. I know they have had numerous delays with the new build but I think they might have had a few more sales for the Olympus.
The Rapta was horrid, to boxy with little design styling. Very happy that Optare didn't continue with it. The Olympus was a much better design.
|
|