Lothian Regional Transport Leyland Olympian ONTL11/2R/Eastern Coachworks
An somewhat expected response....
The early-1980’s were troubled times for Leyland Bus. Despite all the industrial strife it seemed was rampant at British Leyland (BL) in the 1970s, the commercial vehicle side was less badly affected as the private car side. However a series of decisions, some external, led to falling sales at the start of the 80s - First was the decision by the Government to phase out a grant whereby the price of a new bus was subsidised by initially 25% then later increased to 50%. It was done with the laudable aim to encourage operators to modernise their fleets and get rid of buses which weren’t suitable for one-person operation. However, the decision to phase the grant out did have a downside. The grant led to operators gorging themselves on new buses and old ones were replaced before strictly necessary. This, together with impending deregulation very much put the brakes on purchases.
Whilst Leyland had a monopoly for much of the 1970s, the decision to phase out Leyland’s three double deck models - The Daimler (later Leyland) Fleetline, Leyland Atlantean and Bristol VRT - had encouraged other companies to compete, sensing a weakened company. It’s false start with the Leyland Titan and then bringing the Olympian late to the party didn’t help.
However Leyland then changed tack. Realising it couldn’t compete with larger companies such as Volvo, it decided to compete with former established allies. So it undercut Alexanders, where it had sold in complete harmony with Atlanteans, to sell Lothian Leyland Olympians with ECW bodies. This was Leyland promoting the benefits of one-stop shopping and Lothian was by no means the only company it targeted. Leyland figured if it built the bus and body it got more money. At the same time, it should be noted that ECW was a beneficiary of this and retained Lothian’s business until the sad demise of the company itself. One of the buses built by ECW was 777 (C777SFS) which has been preserved by the company in ‘as withdrawn’ condition. Note the day ticket price.
However the decision to compete with Alexanders was another own goal by Leyland Bus. It brought a withering response by Alexanders, well established in the Leyland stronghold of Singapore. Alexanders introduced Mercedes-Benz to that market, selling several hundred Mercedes-Benz buses, all bodied by Alexanders. Leyland lost far more than what it gained....You reap what you sow....
Lothian Regional Transport Leyland Olympian ONTL11/2R/Eastern Coachworks
An somewhat expected response....
The early-1980’s were troubled times for Leyland Bus. Despite all the industrial strife it seemed was rampant at British Leyland (BL) in the 1970s, the commercial vehicle side was less badly affected as the private car side. However a series of decisions, some external, led to falling sales at the start of the 80s - First was the decision by the Government to phase out a grant whereby the price of a new bus was subsidised by initially 25% then later increased to 50%. It was done with the laudable aim to encourage operators to modernise their fleets and get rid of buses which weren’t suitable for one-person operation. However, the decision to phase the grant out did have a downside. The grant led to operators gorging themselves on new buses and old ones were replaced before strictly necessary. This, together with impending deregulation very much put the brakes on purchases.
Whilst Leyland had a monopoly for much of the 1970s, the decision to phase out Leyland’s three double deck models - The Daimler (later Leyland) Fleetline, Leyland Atlantean and Bristol VRT - had encouraged other companies to compete, sensing a weakened company. It’s false start with the Leyland Titan and then bringing the Olympian late to the party didn’t help.
However Leyland then changed tack. Realising it couldn’t compete with larger companies such as Volvo, it decided to compete with former established allies. So it undercut Alexanders, where it had sold in complete harmony with Atlanteans, to sell Lothian Leyland Olympians with ECW bodies. This was Leyland promoting the benefits of one-stop shopping and Lothian was by no means the only company it targeted. Leyland figured if it built the bus and body it got more money. At the same time, it should be noted that ECW was a beneficiary of this and retained Lothian’s business until the sad demise of the company itself. One of the buses built by ECW was 777 (C777SFS) which has been preserved by the company in ‘as withdrawn’ condition. Note the day ticket price.
However the decision to compete with Alexanders was another own goal by Leyland Bus. It brought a withering response by Alexanders, well established in the Leyland stronghold of Singapore. Alexanders introduced Mercedes-Benz to that market, selling several hundred Mercedes-Benz buses, all bodied by Alexanders. Leyland lost far more than what it gained....You reap what you sow....