Celebrating 30 Years of Mistral Group
This summer, Mistral Group celebrates its thirtieth year of business. From its roots as a small-scale Cheshire bus operator, the business has grown into a nationally recognised market leading brand in the industry, offering financing, rental and sales of new and used buses to a wide range of clients across the UK.
Through a strategy of consistent year on year growth, combined with a strong depth of knowledge and industry expertise, Mistral has remained at the forefront of the market, managing the challenges presented by the recent pandemic and now looking to move forward dynamically towards the rapidly developing industry changes.
Mistral pride themselves on a culture of customer service, repeat business and a wide-ranging offering designed to assist their nationwide customer base with all their fleet upgrade needs.
Looking into the near future, and especially towards the era of zero-emission technology, the team at Mistral are excited to be able to spearhead a new generation of products, embracing every innovation as they look towards an evolving market of alternative fuels, electric and hydrogen buses.
Steve Low, Group Managing Director, comments:
“It’s been an absolute pleasure to see the business grow and develop to the level that it is at now. The industry in which we operate has undergone considerable change and it has been vital that we have kept up with the speed of innovation that has been experienced. Now more than ever we are on the cusp of another wave of change with the move towards a net zero transport system, and once again we are looking to lead the way in finding innovative ways to get this technology cost effectively into the hands of operators around the country.”
Adds Martyn Bellis, Sales Director:
“When I re-joined Mistral in late 2021 it was clear that there had been significant growth & development since I last worked for the business some 8 years earlier, I’m excited to be part of the on-going evolution of the business as it transitions with the industry to zero emission, we grow our rental fleet, continue to support customers with rental & asset finance solutions, and diversify into new complimentary markets. The business benefits from an enthusiastic & experienced sales & support team ready to take Mistral on to the next stage of its journey.”
Simon Fawcett, Mistral Group’s founder, comments:
“What a journey we have had! It is incredible to see how times have changed since I was a small bus operator, and I saw an opportunity in the market to become a supplier to the industry. It has been a big learning curve and I have been blessed by a brilliant team of people around me, who have dedicated such a lot of time, energy and real expertise to our business; they have dreamt up ideas that we have been able to put into practise, become bus spotters and industry nerds, and above all poured their enthusiasm into everything that we have achieved so far. Just as the last few years have presented us with issues that we had never anticipated, the next few years are set to bring us many more exciting challenges and we look forward eagerly to see where the new advances in the industry will take us.
It would also be impossible for us to celebrate this milestone without not just celebrating the staff but by thanking all our customers, partners, and suppliers who have played a part in the journey which has brought Mistral to where we are today – we are extremely grateful. Here’s to a solid, strong and fruitful next 30 years!”
Irizar i6S Efficient integral makes UK debut on roadshow
The first Irizar i6S Efficient integral has arrived in the UK and was quickly dispatched on the first part of dealership Irizar UK’s summer roadshow. That will see the vehicle displayed to operators from the north of Scotland to Devon as the Spanish manufacturer bids to capitalise on what it described at launch as “the coach of the future.”
Significant work has been done to reduce weight and drag, which Irizar claims will deliver a reduction in fuel consumption and emissions of up to 13% in a like-for-like comparison. The first right-hand drive i6S Efficient integral is a two-axle, 55-seat example that is PSVAR compliant. It has a DAF MX-11 engine developing 408bhp coupled to a ZF EcoLife automatic gearbox.
Irizar UK Sales Director Julie Hartley says that the summer roadshow will last for around five weeks. In addition to England and Scotland the coach will visit Wales, with Mrs Hartley adding that stops will be made at “a lot of operators” to take account of the strong interest seen so far.
In May, Golden Boy Coaches of Hoddesdon became the first operator in the UK to order an i6S Efficient integral in the form of a 13.2m tri-axle example. Mrs Hartley says that orders from other operators have since been confirmed. Irizar UK also plans to hold the i6S Efficient integral in stock in the future.
The first demonstrator is finished in mid-blue livery. It comes with the manufacturer’s optional rear-view camera system that contributes to drag reduction.
Test data from Spain shows that the promise of excellent fuel economy is accurate, she adds. “The results are positive, and both ourselves and colleagues in Spain are very confident that this is a highly efficient vehicle.”
A further i6S Efficient integral demonstrator will arrive in September. It will be a two-axle, 53-seat PSVAR compliant example and be displayed on Irizar UK’s stand at Euro Bus Expo at the NEC Birmingham on 1-3 November while the initial coach continues its customer evaluation work.
Sky staff and visitor shuttle fleet gains battery-electrics
Telecommunications group Sky is working with Alexander Dennis, BYD, Cobra Corporate Services and Dawsongroup Bus and Coach to introduce eight BYD ADL Enviro200EV battery-electric buses to its staff and visitor shuttle services in Edinburgh and London.
Cobra will operate the vehicles on Sky’s behalf. It has chosen Dawsongroup Bus and Coach’s fully supported contract hire solution, allowing Cobra to focus on service delivery. The first two Enviro200EVs entered service between Livingston Campus in Scotland's central belt and public transport hubs on 2 August, while the remaining six will commence operation at Osterley Campus in London on 15 August.
Introduction of the Enviro200EV shuttle fleet for staff and visitors is part of a goal for Sky to become net-zero carbon by 2030. The buses will complete a full day’s work on one charge and replace diesel vehicles previously used.
Says Cobra Corporate Services Director Steve Dowling: “After many months of research, discussions and preparation to ensure that the correct products were used, BYD and ADL are the right choice of electric bus for us to integrate into the Sky Zero strategy.
“The decision to continue the relationship with Dawsongroup and our chosen infrastructure suppliers made all the hard work that much easier. Pooling in knowledge from the industry leaders in bus and charger manufacturing has enabled a confident launch of service delivery as we enter our operations into the world of electrically propelled passenger transport.”
Adds Dawsongroup Bus and Coach Sales Director Fraser Innes: “This has been a fantastic project to be part of, from the early planning to the rollout of the product. We are delighted to have partnered with Cobra Corporate Services in providing this innovative solution for its client and supporting it with the premium service levels required over the years to come.”
Alexander Dennis claims that the Sky project involving battery-electric buses “is the largest of its kind in the country.” The BYD ADL partnership now has over 1,400 zero-emission buses in service or on order across the UK.