Stuttgart/Dubai – Daimler Buses has received an order for 260 Mercedes-Benz Citaro urban buses from the emirate of Dubai. The production start for the buses ordered is scheduled for the first quarter of 2009. The Roads & Transport Authority in Dubai which is responsible for the local public transport already has 80 Mercedes-Benz Citaro buses in operation. The order includes a supplementary multi-year service and maintenance agreement.

"This major order from Dubai makes us proud and shows that our vehicles can still impress and win over customers even in difficult economic times," said Harmut Schick, Head of Daimler Buses. "We are further expanding our presence in the growth region of the Middle East," commented Schick. As an operational segment of the Sales Overseas area, the Regional Sales Office Daimler Buses Middle East, which is based in Dubai, has been providing support for the bus business in this region since 1999.

The current order includes three-door Mercedes-Benz Citaro vehicles which meet the Euro 5 emissions standard. The buses are each twelve metres long and have 33 passenger seats. Due to the high exterior temperatures in Dubai the vehicles are equipped with extra heat insulation on the floor, insulated wheel houses and special windows. Air blowers in the entry areas distribute cold air and help stabilise the temperature in the interior.

"We are delighted to have received the additional order for 260 buses. Our teams from Development, Production and Sales have worked together perfectly to make these special vehicles a reality," said Holger Suffel, Head of Sales for EvoBus.

Daimler Buses is the largest manufacturer of buses and chassis larger than eight tonnes perm. GVW worldwide. The company employs a total of 18,100 staff around the globe; in 2008 it sold over 40,600 buses. Its products cover city, rural and touring transport and range from minibuses to doubledeckers, all with various engine and equipment variants. EvoBus GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler AG, is responsible for the European bus business.