Stuttgart/Riyadh, 2 July 2008:
Mercedes-Benz Bus and Coach unit has received a large-scale order from SAPTCO (Saudi Arabia Public Transport) for 300 Mercedes-Benz Travego touring coaches. The first 150 touring coaches will be delivered by the end of the year. An additional 150 buses will be supplied at the beginning of next year.

This order marks the first time SAPTCO has opted for the Travego touring coach. The cutting-edge two-axle buses will for example be used for trips between the pilgrimage cities in Saudi Arabia. SAPTCO is the largest bus operator in the country, with a total fleet of 2,500, of which more than half are Mercedes vehicles.

The Mercedes-Benz Travego is the top-of-the-range model in the Mercedes-Benz touring coach programme and provides the highest degree of safety, comfort and environmental compatibility. It is powered by the Mercedes-Benz OM 457 LA engine with an output of 310 kW (422 hp). To meet the needs of the extreme climate in the area, all vehicles are equipped with a performance-enhanced air conditioning system with 39 kW of cooling capacity.