"Arrival" new UK based bus manufacturer

[TheGrandWazoo]

Yes, I think it is First Berkshire that were touted as getting first dibs on trial, their factory being in that neck of the woods IIRC

Their R&D centre is in Banbury with their factory being built in Bicester, so a bit away

 

[Swanny200]

Their R&D centre is in Banbury with their factory being built in Bicester, so a bit away

I thought Banbury and Slough/Reading was quite close to be honest. Are firstgroup in that area or did I get confused?

 

[cnjb8]

I thought Banbury and Slough/Reading was quite close to be honest. Are firstgroup in that area or did I get confused?

About an hour down the M40/A404/M4, right?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I thought Banbury and Slough/Reading was quite close to be honest. Are firstgroup in that area or did I get confused?

You're a bit out - it's over an hour away as @cnjb8 says Banbury and Bicester is Stagecoach territory.

First Berkshire only get as far north as High Wycombe and that's still some distance away; First actually get closer from Worcester into Evesham

 

[Hophead]

There's a report / advertorial on the BBC News website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/technology-59077475

It's mainly about vans, but the buses do get a mention. Interesting to see just how this pans out over the next few years.

 

[Non Multi]

Last September, I noticed the Arrival logotype on a warehouse gate sign in the industrial estate in Marlow (near High Wycombe), Bucks. There was no other text on the sign, so it remains a mystery as to what the facility is used for.

 

[PG]

Have Arrival got a bus on trial yet with an operator?

 

[GusB]

Have Arrival got a bus on trial yet with an operator?

The last update I read was that they were still conducting trials. Funnily enough, I did check their site earlier on after reading about the ScotZEB announcement.

Arrival begins proving ground trials of its electric Bus

Arrival has started proving ground trials of the Arrival Bus

arrival.com

Following proving ground trials, Arrival will commence public road trials of the Bus with First Bus - one of the UK’s largest transport operators - in Q1 2022. The trials will see Arrival’s vehicles operating on existing First Bus routes in the UK. Arrival is expected to begin production for the Bus in Q2 2022.

If they're on time with their plans we should hopefully see something emerge fairly soon.

 

[PG]

The last update I read was that they were still conducting trials. Funnily enough, I did check their site earlier on after reading about the ScotZEB announcement.

If they're on time with their plans we should hopefully see something emerge fairly soon.

Indeed it was the ScotZEB announcement that prompted my question. If they're on schedule then we should see within the next 31 days - otherwise its easy headlines along the lines of "Late Arrival" etc

 

[GusB]

Indeed it was the ScotZEB announcement that prompted my question. If they're on schedule then we should see within the next 31 days - otherwise its easy headlines along the lines of "Late Arrival" etc

Yer coat's over there...

 

[Volvodart]

Indeed it was the ScotZEB announcement that prompted my question. If they're on schedule then we should see within the next 31 days - otherwise its easy headlines along the lines of "Late Arrival" etc

There is an earnings announcement tomorrow so they would need to update any further delay to the bus.

 

[Snow1964]

The last update I read was that they were still conducting trials. Funnily enough, I did check their site earlier on after reading about the ScotZEB announcement.

Arrival begins proving ground trials of its electric Bus

Arrival has started proving ground trials of the Arrival Bus

arrival.com

If they're on time with their plans we should hopefully see something emerge fairly soon.

Sounds like a pre production version is now finished

Suggests that production is due to start in South Carolina

12% of its 64000 non binding orders or letter of intent are for buses (about 7700 potential orders)

British electric van and bus maker Arrival on Thursday unveiled a new prototype of an electric bus that it hopes to begin producing next year to sell at around the price of a conventional diesel bus. The pre-production bus will start running on roads within the next few weeks, and series production is due to begin at a plant in the U.S. state of South Carolina in the second quarter. In a tour of the bus for Reuters, company president Avinash Rugoobur highlighted the fact that, because the batteries are in the floor - some electric buses place them in the ceiling - the bus has a skylight running the vehicle's length. The bus is also low to the ground for easy passenger access.

The company uses lightweight but durable plastic composite body panels rather than steel or aluminium to lower production costs. Arrival's system monitors every vehicle component in real time and can upgrade the software associated with any of them wirelessly, Rugoobur said. "Knowing and understanding how the vehicle is running in real time and being able to optimise that further reduces your fleet costs," he said. "All of this in a bus that is cheaper than any other electric bus out there and competitive with diesel."

Depending on the market, electric buses can cost up to 50% more than a diesel equivalent. Arrival's earlier prototype buses have already been undergoing trials with First Bus, one of the UK's largest bus operators. Arrival says around 12% of the 64,000 vehicles it currently has non-binding orders or letters of intent for are buses. Its South Carolina plant should have annual production capacity of 10,000 units and executives say they will announce more plants soon.

UK's Arrival Unveils Pre-Production Prototype Electric Bus

The pre-production bus will start running on roads within the next few weeks, and series production is due to begin at a plant in the U.S. state of South Carolina in the second quarter.

www.carandbike.com

 

[johnw]

Looks like another Citaro with the rear not suited to UK operation.

 

[MotCO]

Looks like another Citaro with the rear not suited to UK operation.

Why do you say that? Rear overhang too low or long?

If they are designed to be built in local microfactories, why are the UK buses being built in South Carolina?

 

[Robertj21a]

What's the seating capacity?

 

[PG]

https://arrival.com/us/en/news/arrival-begins-proving-ground-trials-of-its-electric-bus
The list near the end of this press release makes me wonder if they'd have been better licensing their technology instead of attempting manufacture, much like ARM do for semi conductors.

Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this document, including, but not limited to:

1. (i) the impact of COVID-19 on Arrival’s business;
2. (ii) the risk of downturns and the possibility of rapid change in the highly competitive industry in which Arrival operates,
3. (iii) the risk that Arrival and its current and future collaborators are unable to successfully develop and commercialize Arrival’s products or services, or experience significant delays in doing so,
4. (iv) the risk that Arrival may never achieve or sustain profitability;
5. (v) the risk that Arrival experiences difficulties in managing its growth and expanding operations,
6. (vi) the risk that third-parties suppliers and manufacturers are not able to fully and timely meet their obligations;
7. (vii) the risk that the utilization of Microfactories will not provide the expected benefits due to, among other things, the inability to locate appropriate buildings to use as Microfactories, Microfactories needing a larger than anticipated factory footprint, and the inability of Arrival to deploy Microfactories in the anticipated time frame;
8. (viii) the risk that the orders that have been placed for vehicles, including the order from UPS, are cancelled or modified;
9. (ix) the risk of product liability or regulatory lawsuits or proceedings relating to Arrival’s products and services;
10. (x) the risk that Arrival will need to raise additional capital to execute its business plan, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all;
11. (xi) the risk that Arrival is unable to secure or protect its intellectual property.

The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive.

 

[johnw]

The Citaro was never designed with the UK in mind. A better opinion would be a high rear Floorwithout the rear comprise to users…..

 

[Lewlew]

Why do you say that? Rear overhang too low or long?

If they are designed to be built in local microfactories, why are the UK buses being built in South Carolina?

They also have a micro factory in Banbury

 

[Robertj21a]

They also have a micro factory in Banbury

Presumably not too micro if they are to produce the buses for the UK. The First Group orders are a significant initial volume and it will need a reasonable space to put all the bits together.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

If they are designed to be built in local microfactories, why are the UK buses being built in South Carolina?

The article is very unclear and it doesn't say that the UK ones are being built in South Carolina. They say there's a prototype and there's a factory going to be making them in South Carolina with production beginning soon. They also say First Bus is getting some. That's not to say the UK ones will be built there.

They also have a micro factory in Banbury

The R&D site is in Banbury. I believe the factory will be in Bicester.

 

[Robertj21a]

The article is very unclear and it doesn't say that the UK ones are being built in South Carolina. They say there's a prototype and there's a factory going to be making them in South Carolina with production beginning soon. They also say First Bus is getting some. That's not to say the UK ones will be built there.


The R&D site is in Banbury. I believe the factory will be in Bicester.

Presumably the 2 (?) due to go on trials with First were produced in South Carolina ?
I thought the initial bulk deliveries for First were supposed to be quite soon (Q2-3 ??)

 

[Volvodart]

The trials have been delayed by several months, I assume that deliveries are likewise.

 

[PG]

Presumably not too micro if they are to produce the buses for the UK. The First Group orders are a significant initial volume and it will need a reasonable space to put all the bits together.

Referencing my own post #46 Arrival themselves caution about their 'so-called' microfactories and a possible lack of suitable locations - maybe they are not so micro after all!

Reminds me of a colleague of my Dad who assembled a kit car in his living room then realised there was no way to get it out

 

[Gag Halfrunt]

Presumably the 2 (?) due to go on trials with First were produced in South Carolina ?

They were probably built at the Banbury R&D centre.

 

[Volvodart]

From their tweet today, the Arrival bus has finally been certified, so it should be appearing somewhere at First Bus for trials fairly soon.

 

[GusB]

Better late than never, I suppose.

Arrival Bus takes next step towards roll-out - Bus & Coach Buyer

Upcoming electric bus offering, Arrival Bus, has made its next step towards carrying passengers on public roads in Europe and the UK. The vehicle has achieved EU certification and received European Whole Vehicle Type Approval (EUWVTA). “The Arrival Bus is different from any that has come before...

www.busandcoachbuyer.com

Upcoming electric bus offering, Arrival Bus, has made its next step towards carrying passengers on public roads in Europe and the UK.

The vehicle has achieved EU certification and received European Whole Vehicle Type Approval (EUWVTA).

“The Arrival Bus is different from any that has come before, employing technologies developed in-house to create benefits for operators, passengers, and the planet” – Founder and CEO at Arrival, Denis Sverdlov

Founder and CEO at Arrival, Denis Sverdlov, said: “This key milestone for Arrival is a testimony to our innovative technologies and our unique new method of design and production of electric vehicles. The Arrival Bus is different from any that has come before, employing technologies developed in-house to create benefits for operators, passengers, and the planet. Now more than ever, governments and cities must reform public transportation to have the radical impact the world needs today. The team has worked incredibly hard to make this a reality and we are happy to see our unique approach to designing vehicles realised.”

 

[PG]

From their tweet today, the Arrival bus has finally been certified, so it should be appearing somewhere at First Bus for trials fairly soon.

Do they still have to pass the tilt test? Usually a good photo opportunity that manufacturers can't resist...

 

[Volvodart]

From this week's first quarter earnings report, bus trials with First are ongoing on private roads, with public road trials planned to start in the third quarter 2022.

https://arrival.gcs-web.com/news-re...-reports-first-quarter-2022-financial-results

Private road trials with First Bus drivers in progress; public road trials planned to start in Q3 2022

 

[gmaguire]

I’m not big on the company name. I’m sure in the past I’ve heard people say / write “Arrival” when they mean Arriva. It reminds me of that.

 

[PG]

I’m not big on the company name. I’m sure in the past I’ve heard people say / write “Arrival” when they mean Arriva. It reminds me of that.

No doubt that is a deliberate play on words since for the majority of people the actual journey is what is known as a distress purchase which they endure in order to have a safe Arrival at their destination.

From this week's first quarter earnings report, bus trials with First are ongoing on private roads, with public road trials planned to start in the third quarter 2022.

https://arrival.gcs-web.com/news-re...-reports-first-quarter-2022-financial-results

Anyone any ideas which op co is providing the drivers or which location(s) they're using?