With the launch of the Marcopolo Paradiso G8 1200, the European market welcomes a new player in the coach segment. The Brazilian manufacturer is entering into a partnership with Volvo Buses. Based on a chassis from the Swedish manufacturer, Marcopolo will build coaches tailored to customer requirements. Marcopolo is Latin America’s largest bus producer and enjoys a strong reputation as a builder of exceptionally luxurious long-distance vehicles.
Marcopolo is thus returning to the European market. Until 2009, the South American company produced vehicles in Coimbra, Portugal, but the global financial crisis brought production to an end. Portugal’s largest bus builder, MOBIpeople, later took over the former Marcopolo plant.
The strategic partnership between Marcopolo and Volvo foresees the construction of a European version of the Paradiso Generation 8 1200, built on Volvo’s B13R chassis in both 4x2 and 6x2 configurations. Volvo will handle sales and aftersales through its own service network.
The Generation 8 coaches were developed to meet the world’s highest standards of quality, safety, comfort, reliability, sustainability and efficiency. These vehicles are already being produced in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and China.
“The cooperation with Volvo fits perfectly within our strategy to enter the European market. We see concrete opportunities for our products, especially in France and Italy,”
says André Armaganijan, CEO of Marcopolo.
The bus manufacturer's return followed a lengthy study. “Over the past two years, we have analysed the European market, which is considered the most demanding in terms of safety, reliability and energy efficiency,” Armaganijan adds.
The Paradiso G8 1200 is currently undergoing homologation tests to be approved for European roads. In addition to the usual technical requirements, the vehicles must also comply with cybersecurity standards. Marcopolo expects the first deliveries to take place by the end of 2026.
The Paradiso Generation 8 is already in use across South America, with deliveries to South Africa and Côte d’Ivoire. The coaches are also active in Asia, including in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Recently, the Paradiso entered the Australian market, further underlining Marcopolo’s global expansion.
The Brazilian coachbuilder has 76 years of experience, employs 20,000 people, and produces everything from minibuses to super-deluxe coaches. Marcopolo operates seven factories across different continents. In India, the company collaborates with Tata Motors on technology development.
In Europe, people are eagerly looking forward to the newcomer. Two years ago, at Busworld 2023, Marcopolo already showcased an exceptionally elegant coach that, at the time, had not yet been homologated for the European market. The vehicle’s interior and finish were of a remarkably high standard.