Abu Dhabi-based Hafilat Industries has commenced shipping its first export batch of European buses to Australia from its 15,000 sq m factory in ICAD-1, Mussafah, which opened earlier this year.

The shipment to Australia is part of the company’s contract to supply the city of Melbourne with low-floor city buses on Mercedes Benz chassis.
Hafilat director Obaid Sughair Khalaf Al Qubaisi comments: “The UAE is the first country in the GCC to build European-quality buses. With the fast-developing nature of the region, and increasing environmental awareness, demand for high-quality and safe public transport vehicles is set to grow exponentially. Accordingly, there are major business opportunities for a local bus manufacturer in this region.”
Qubaisi continues: “One of the advantages of building buses in the UAE for both the local and export markets is the boost it provides to the UAE economy. For example, we are sourcing some of the aluminium needed from a factory in Abu Dhabi. Our policy of ‘buying local’ wherever possible will support home-grown companies and reduce our carbon footprint in the long-run.”
Hafilat’s general manager Bob McCulloch adds: “Aluminium buses are stronger and lighter than the current steel buses imported and used in the UAE. Aluminium buses do not rust, thus reducing customers’ operational and maintenance costs. The technology we are using combined with European best practices as our quality standard, also means that Hafilat-produced buses are amongst the safest and most environmentally-friendly in the world today.”
As well as city buses, Hafilat can manufacture a full range of public transport buses, including articulated city, double-deck, compressed natural gas (CNG), hybrid (electric) and trolley buses. All of Hafilat’s buses enable full access to people with special needs, and can be customised as per client requests.
The buses for the Melbourne order are new-generation ones that feature disabled access, kneeling function, multiplexed electrics, sophisticated video surveillance, electronic signage and full aluminium body.  The chassis will be Euro IV Mercedes Benz. 
Hafilat Industries LLC is a joint venture between Specialised Investment Group, Emirates Link Group and Volgren.