This week, the Chinese bus builder, Yutong, is launching the latest model in Dar-es-Salaam.
The upgraded passenger carrier is to be marketed as the Yutong D14 series.
Carrying the serial number ZK 6139D the new Yutong Bus model gets unveiled at the Julius Nyerere convention Centre along the Shaaban Robert road in Dar-es-salaam City.
According to Yutong Bus and Coach Company, the new D14 series equipment was specifically designed and built for Africa’s roads and environment.
However, Yutong did not clarify this claim further.
Usually, vehicles that are said to be specially built for Africa terrains feature higher ground clearance to tackle road humps and unpaved tracks, but at the expense of stability and comfort.
But as far as Yutong claims go, the new bus is designed to provide enhanced spaciousness for passengers, ensuring a smoother and more comfortable ride for long distance routes.
In fact, crumpled space has always been a problem with Chinese buses as their limited spacing between seating rows and columns forced travelers to crouch throughout the trips.
Otherwise, the D14 isn’t much of an upgrade cosmetically, judging from the few available pictures, apart from streamlined window line and a full ‘Yutong’ branding across the front just above the radiator grille, which is also lit by LED stripes.
Tanzania is the only East African country which so far buys many buses and trucks from Chinese vehicle makers such as Higer, Howo, Golden Dragon, Sinotruck, Yutong and Zhongtong.
Most transporters in Tanzania are said to prefer the Chinese vehicles because they can be acquired on the cheap, with dealers also offering them on serviceable loans.
But out of the nearly ten Chinese bus and truck models, Yutong has been topping the bill as far as the number of sold units is concerned.
Companies featuring large fleets, such as Abood Bus, BM Coach and Shabiby Express all invest in Yutong type of Cummin powered, Chinese buses.
Chinese buses have been plying on Tanzania roads since 2006 when the first such equipment, a Zonda bus, was shipped into the country.
In Dar-es-salaam, the China-made, Golden Dragon articulated buses serve the city routes as Bus Rapid Transport (BRT).