Natural gas powered buses manufactured in China by Beiqi Foton are making their way into international markets with product being launched in Thailand and other countries to follow in the months to come. Foton Bus Thailand Co Ltd have announced that they will launch a 12 meter Euro III compliant city bus at next month’s ANGVA 2007 Conference and Exhibition, in Bangkok (November 27-29).

The company has two low floor air conditioned prototypes undergoing tests in Bangkok at the moment to consider the best engine, drive train and seating options for Bangkok duty cycles. These are expected to be finalized in time for next month’s launch.

The buses will be available to bus operators with structured finance packages in place that the company says will produce savings in the first month of operation. Foton Thailand will also offer a three year unlimited parts and labor warranty which will include consumables such as engine oil and fluids (coolant, brake fluid, transmission oil) and air, oil and fuel filters.

Company spokespersons said the company is planning an aggressive international push and that Thailand is the first of several international territories they expect to move into in the coming months.

As well as launching the bus at ANGVA 2007 next month, the company has also signed on as a key sponsor of the event, saying that they wanted to demonstrate a serious commitment to bringing their product to market and to position themselves as leaders in the industry.

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