Over 2100 visitors enjoyed a first-class experience at the Setra Show 2014 on 8 and 9 November. As in previous years, this year’s international product show offered a variety of activities for guests attending from numerous European countries, America, Africa and Asia.
No fewer than three buses that only celebrated their world premieres a few weeks before at the IAA International Commercial Vehicles Show in Hanover – an S 515 MD and an S 511 HD from the ComfortClass 500 plus an S 416 LE business model – shone in the limelight at the Setra Customer Centre in Neu-Ulm, Germany. There were also two extremely attractive members of the Setra TopClass family to marvel at, in the shape of an S 516 HDH and an S 431 DT double-decker.
In the outside area, the two new S 515 MD and S 516 MD middle deckers plus an S 515 HD from the ComfortClass 500 and an S 516 HDH from the TopClass 500 did not have to wait long to welcome a stream of keen testers. An S 415 LE business model was also available for test drives here. This new member of the Setra MultiClass is an efficient low-entry rural regular-service bus that combines economy and functionality in a new dimension. The economical two-axle vehicle offers the ideal combination of barrier-free access at the front with a low-maintenance raised-floor area in the rear.
Factory visit and live demonstration of ABA3
Long queues in front of the registration desks proved that these personal test drives were one of the highlights of the Setra Show 2014 for the visitors. In the foyer, people were able to sign up for a truly special driving demonstration during which the first thing to do above all was belt up.
Bus experts from Setra used an S 511 HD from the ComfortClass 500 to demonstrate the outstanding effectiveness of the new Active Brake Assist 3 (ABA 3) driver assistance system, which initiates full brake application automatically, even when stationary obstacles are encountered.
But how does a Setra bus actually come into being? This question was answered very graphically during factory visits on both days of the show. Those visitors who wished to delve into the past of the historic vehicles, on the other hand, simply had to climb on board the shuttle bus, which took them on a fascinating excursion to the nearby Setra classic-vehicle exhibition.
The two-day customer event is also always a highlight of the year for Till Oberwörder, Head of Marketing, Sales and Aftersales at Daimler Buses. He was pleased by the high number of visitors, with almost 1300 people attending the show on the second day, beating last year’s already high figure: “For us the Setra Show was once again a first-class opportunity to present our state-of-the-art Setra products. Numerous discussions with enthusiastic customers showed us that our vehicles offer the best solutions, be it for efficient rural routes or luxurious premium travel.”
Focus on products and professional customer dialogue
For the sales team and for the customers, the Setra Show is traditionally the perfect platform for talking about the latest Daimler Buses developments in a pleasant, informal atmosphere. This year again saw presentations covering current trends and offerings, which were given by employees from service brand Omniplus, used vehicle brand BusStore and the MB-Bank. In the bus culture forum “better on-board dining”, the brand this year tackled a specific topic that is closely linked with an exclusive travel experience and therefore with the Setra name.
