Jones Coach and Bus of Llanrwst has been appointed by Harris Bus and Coach as a partner to sell and support its Higer product portfolio.
The Conwy business is a sister to coach operator Llew Jones. Its addition to the Higer network is part of what Harris Bus and Coach says is a “rapid UK and Ireland expansion” and within a commitment to establishing a 50-location national footprint for Higer.
Jones Coach and Bus will deliver new vehicle sales on behalf of Harris as well as aftersales service and parts support. It has extensive infrastructure to back that responsibility, including multiple service facilities, bodyshop capability, recovery scope, and more.
Announcement of the North Wales business as a partner comes amid strong momentum for Higer products in the UK under Harris Bus and Coach, which now has examples of the V-10, V-12 and V-14 diesel coaches and battery-electric buses on the ground here.
It recently announced a five-year/500,000km warranty on new coach products and has outlined plans for further development of its bus range beyond existing Azure battery-electrics.
Forming a partnership with Jones Coach and Bus strengthens a network that Harris says will leave customers never more than 90 minutes or 150km from Higer support. Coupled to the warranty offer, the importer says that offers “an extremely compelling business proposition.”
Award-winning operator Llew Jones has more than 50 years’ experience in the sector. Such knowledge will bring real-world insight into vehicle performance and reliability and directly inform the sales and support approach to the Higer range, Harris Bus and Coach says.
Steve Jones (pictured), who is Managing Director of Llew Jones and Director of Jones Coach and Bus, describes the collaboration with Harris as “a significant step for our business.”
He continues: “What sets this apart for us is that we are evaluating the product not just as a dealer, but as an operator with over 50 years’ experience. That gives us real confidence in what we are bringing to market.”
Llew Jones will take delivery of a first V-14 as part of the collaboration. That coach has been specified to suit touring, with 57 seats, a centre sunken toilet, and 13 cubic metres of luggage space. Mr Jones says that the 14m tri-axle model has strong appeal for the business.
“I am seriously impressed with the V-Series range, particularly the V-14,” he continues. “The specification fits hand-in-glove with our operation and the five-year warranty makes it impossible to ignore. There is massive potential for it in this sector.”