Northcord Model Company is now pleased to announce that the company has successfully concluded its licensing negotiations with Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) and has been authorised to model the Enviro400 “City” body based on both the Dennis Trident 2 chassis and the BYD chassis, the latter named as the Enviro400EV.

Northcord Model Company had developed the ADL Enviro400MMC models (ukbus 6500 series) since January 2018, and during the two years since then, more than 15,000 units of ukbus 6500 bus models have been produced. All ukbus 6500 series models have gained excellent success and reputation worldwide, and especially in both the Hong Kong and UK markets.

The first production model of the brand-new casting should be available in the United Kingdom by the end of the fourth quarter in 2020. As the Enviro400City is developed from the former Enviro400 series, Northcord Model Company will put the new products into a new sub-series categorised ukbus 6800 et seq, as a continuation from the current ukbus 6500 model range, and the ukbus 6000 range before that. The collectors will therefore recognise these models as the follow up version within the ADL Enviro400 double deck bus family.

The newly developed comprehensive casting will initially include the following versions of Britain’s best-selling double-deck buses:
1. 10.8 metre 1 & 2 door BYD-chassised Enviro400 City
2. 10.9 metre 1 & 2 door Enviro400 City Trident 2-chassised to follow as a continuation of the previous Enviro400 MMC Licence Agreement.

Northcord Model Company will make an announcement in detail about planned liveries and model dimensions nearer to its launch date. The range will be expanded with the shorter versions of each type in due course.

NMC is currently engaged in researching and negotiating licensing with Scania for the possibility of utilising the Trident 2 Enviro400City body as the basis for a Scania N280UD derivation that will, of course, be listed within the ukbus00xx range due to the different wheelbase and front and rear overhang dimensions compared to the Trident 2 variant. Whilst the metal parts of the body will be those of the Trident 2, the glazing will be to the discrete design as applied to the Scania. These buses are being taken by a number of high-profile fleets such as Nottingham, in its variety of route branding colours, and various First fleets, and production of all NMC models is subject to end user agreement, of course.

NB : As a footnote to the previously advised plans and dates for 2020 model releases, NMC wishes to advise retailers and collectors that, due to some severe travel restrictions to and within Mainland China in order to attempt to slow down the spread of the Coronavirus, the factory will not resume manufacture for at least a further week following the traditional LNY holiday period. This will have a knock-on effect by delaying when the models will be released following production.

Herewith we itemise an update on likely release dates and status for announced models in the ukbus 1500 and ukbus 6500 range. In addition, nine further future releases are announced.

Production delays due to shortage of appropriate labour in all factories in southern China are affecting many manufacturers and it is appropriate that NMC should advise you accordingly. Furthermore, the usual delays will be accommodated due to the return of factory staff to their provinces during Lunar New Year and the resultant need to recruit staff to replace those who do not return to the factories.

The pre-production samples of both items for checking are in the course of being prepared with an anticipated production slot being available during early April 2020.