Otokar continues its expansion in Europe with a new acquisition in Italy

Otokar, leader in the Turkish coach and bus market, has announced the acquisition of Mauri Bus System SrL in order to continue its expansion in Europe. The new subsidiary will also support Otokar’s ambitions in the Italian market.

After experiencing steady growth on the European market, the Koç Group company has decided to take a strategic step to accelerate its expansion plans. Otokar, which currently transports millions of passengers in tens of thousands of coaches/buses in more than 60 countries around the world, acquired Mauri Bus System. Following this acquisition, Otokar is planning a radical change in the Italian market, thanks in particular to the new company’s portfolio of zero-emission vehicles.

Mauri Bus System, which has made a significant contribution to Otokar’s success in the Italian coach/bus market, has delivered more than 700 Otokar-branded vehicles to date. The Italian company, which celebrated its 101st anniversary last year, sells and services Otokar vehicles.

Paying tribute to the deep roots of Mauri, which has pioneered many innovations in the Italian coach/bus market over the past 101 years, Kerem Erman, Deputy Managing Director of Otokar, said: “We are delighted to welcome Mauri Bus System to the Otokar family of companies. This acquisition takes our successful partnership of almost 13 years to a new level. Our customer-focused approach has always been the biggest factor in Otokar’s success. Now we will be even closer to our customers in Italy, enabling us to understand their needs and expectations even better.

Underlining the company’s growth objectives in the European market, Erman added: “Italy is one of our key markets. Otokar coaches/buses have been operating on Italian roads since 2010, transporting passengers. We are convinced that Otokar’s current success in the country will not stop there.

Referring to the agreement, Umberto Mauri, CEO of Mauri Bus System SrL, said: “We are very proud to be part of the global Otokar brand. I am convinced that this agreement will enable Otokar to boost its presence on the Italian market in terms of sales and after-sales”.

Otokar currently has four international subsidiaries and exports account for more than 70% of its turnover. With this acquisition, Otokar adds a subsidiary in Italy to its European operations, following companies in France and Romania.

Otokar, a popular bus brand in Europe, starting with France, Italy and Spain, is growing thanks to successful sales contracts. Otokar has signed major framework agreements in the Italian market in previous years, culminating in orders for Vectio and Kent buses in 2022. In Tuscany and Puglia, the majority of Otokar buses will run on natural gas. Otokar has also recently received orders for electric buses to serve various Italian cities.

MAURI BUS SYSTEM SRL

Founded in 1921 as a bodywork repair shop, Mauri Bus System SrL has launched numerous innovations in the bus sector over the course of its more than 100-year history. Mauri is the company that developed and manufactured Italy’s first articulated bus with an aluminium body, Europe’s first trolleybus equipped with an emergency diesel engine and the first 12-metre low-floor bus for the Italian market. The company has its own spare parts and service network in Italy. Mauri Bus System has been Otokar’s distributor in Italy since 2010.