The Norwegian fair was opened by a series of press conferences. Solaris Bus & Coach was represented by Mr. Wolfgang Presinger during the well-frequented presentation. This well-known, appreciated, longstanding EvoBus employee is supporting and advising the Polish bus manufacturers in questions of sales.

At the Solaris Bus & Coach stand, two vehicles were on show:

• The low-floor city bus Urbino 12, in daily operation with the Sporveisbussene company, and
• The Urbino 12 Low Entry of the operator Nettbus.

In spite of their different optical appearance, the two vehicles are quite similar: both are powered by the latest DAF engines, the PR 228 model. The future-oriented buses comply with the restrictive exhaust emission standard Euro 5, to come into effect Europe-wide not before 2009. Both Urbinos are equipped with the so-called “Scandinavian package” which helps to make them impervious against the Nordic climate. This package features, among other things, a heated floor, an additional heating and ventilation system in the passenger compartment and in the driver‘s cabin, double glazing, additional insulation, silicone gaskets at the doors, snow chains, and an automatic fire warning and extinguishing system. Both buses are transporting passengers in Oslo for the operators in the capital.

Another vehicle was presented at the Solaris Bus & Coach stand, even though only by a graphic chart: the Solaris Urbino 18 Hybrid. This bus with its innovative hybrid drive has attracted vivid attention of branch representatives as well as of branch journalists. The bus industry is currently busily engaged in alternative, environmentally friendly drive versions.
Solaris Bus & Coach has been the first manufacturer to present a series-production city bus with such a drive system.