MCG transportation’s commercial and business activity has shown that electric buses are a very interesting market for MCG. What motivates the growth of this segment?
The trends of “green” mobility and sustainability that have been promoted in Europe around the European Ecological Pact have contributed a lot. Since urban transport is mostly managed by public companies or with public participation, investment in the modernization of bus fleets has been quite high in recent years, with a clear objective of complying with the goals established in the Pact.
According to the available market studies, this market segment is expected to triple the number of electric buses in circulation between 2021 and 2028 in the whole world. This means an increase in opportunities for MCG in both current and new customers.
If we consider also the new trend of hydrogen-powered buses with electric buses, this number is even more interesting and offers us enormous business potential.
How is MCG approaching this market?
This means an increase in opportunities for MCG for both current and new customers. MCG transportation is already working for three European customers’ electric bus market segment, with a high-velocity project and two new projects under development and industrialization.
The strategy adopted has been to present innovative solutions that address the gaps in traditional materials, while challenging customers to try something new.
Historically, bus manufacturers have used plywood as a material for bus floors – it doesn’t require cutting-edge technology to work with, it’s easily available, and it’s relatively inexpensive to buy. However, it has poor durability as it is heavy, absorbs water, is poorly resistant to fatigue from continued use.
With the trend towards green mobility and the decarbonization of transport, low weight and durability are key success factors. And that’s where MCG can come in with innovative solutions. The feedback we have had has been positive and new opportunities are already open, which confirms the adopted strategy.
How has the recent evolution of business development been?
Since the beginning of MCG transportation’s activities, we have been focused on presenting innovative solutions and scrupulously fulfilling our commitments. These two factors have been repeatedly recognized by our customers as a critical success factor, as is the fact that we have experience in other markets (MCG automotive and MCG industry).
After all, the business itself is conservative and slow to make decisions with very few exceptions. MCG transportation has focused its activity on the development and production of floors for buses and trains, always making it clear that our objective is to be a supplier of vehicle interiors: floors, ceilings, wall coverings, etc. And that we have the capacity, knowledge and technology to get there.
How has this work been a challenge?
The fact that we are developing and helping to grow a new business unit in a totally unknown market to MCG five years ago was an inspiring challenge.
When we get on a bus or a train, we look at the seats, the walls, the windows… never the floor. This component certainly is one of the most important to ensure the comfort and safety of passengers – it protects from vehicle vibrations, maintains the temperature inside the cabin, reduces noise from engines and vehicle movement, supports the weight of passengers and… it has to be prepared to last 30 years!
It has been a constant learning process in material characteristics, in special processes such as structural bonding, in engineering aspects such as acoustics or heat transmission, etc.
As MCG transportation is the latest business unit in the MCG universe, the desire to do more is strong. The resilience and self-motivation capacity have been key factors in overcoming the inertia of customers’ decision-making regarding new projects.
But we have a team motivated to overcome challenges and to do new and different things, to continuously improve and grow this business unit.
Request contact from MCG Sales Engineering Team
Pedro Brilha
MCG Transportation Commercial Director