Family - Setra

30 | Setra Family News
Setra Family News | 31
A look back:
Setra get-togethers
2012 was the year of the ComfortClass 500. After its launch in Germany and high profile at the IAA,
the new series celebrated its premiere in several other countries – and was the absolute highlight
at every event.
TRANSEXPO, Kielce (Poland),
10/10–12/2012
A spectacular show was staged in Kielce for
the premiere of the ComfortClass 500 with
about 500 invited guests. Early on, key
milestones throughout the history of Setra
were presented, accompanied by dancers
dressed in the styles of the times. The
crowning of the Setra success story: the
unveiling of the ComfortClass 500.
TTG Incontri, Rimini (Italy),
10/18–20/2012
For the presentation of the new Comfort-
Class 500 at the international B2B trade
fair for tourism in Rimini, Setra came up
with a very special idea. First, an S 516 HD/3
was revealed at the stand. And then, an
S 515 HD was given an opportunity to
show off its sporty side on the Misano
race track. Also represented in Rimini: an
S 415 GT-HD.
VIP visit to the Setra stand FIAA in Madrid: the
Spanish Transport Minister Ana María Pastor Julián
was shown the new ComfortClass 500 in great detail
and took a seat in the passenger compartment
FIAA, Madrid (Spain),
10/23–26/2012
At the international FIAA bus and coach
fair, Setra presented the ComfortClass 500’s
modern design, outstanding driver and
passenger comfort, as well as its Euro VI
technology – embodied in an S 515 HD and
an S 517 HD. In addition to the more than
200 visitors, the Spanish Transport Minister
Ana María Pastor Julián was welcomed
to the Setra stand where she was clearly
impressed by the new series’ innovations.
Also at the stand: the OMNIplus service
brand and FleetBoard, Daimler’s fleet management
system.
Omnibus 2012, Kloten (Switzerland),
11/1–2/2012
At the BusWorld Home in Kloten, visitors to
the show experienced the Swiss premiere
of the new ComfortClass 500 and the introduction
of intercity coaches with Euro VI
engines. Another highlight was the new
Setra “Ambassador” 2 + 1 seat generation.
Test Drive, Maastricht (Netherlands),
11/5–10/2012
The event in Maastricht, which was targeted
at Dutch and Belgian customers, included
a tour of the Mercedes-Benz Customer
Assistance Center in Maastricht, the central
contact point and service centre for
customers from all over Western Europe.
Close to 110 guests from both countries
were welcomed and offered an opportunity
to test drive the new coaches. A new
ComfortClass S 515 HD, a TopClass
S 411 HD and a MultiClass S 417 UL were
exhibited.
Setra Open House, Ragana (Latvia),
11/6–7/2012
In Latvian Ragana, just north of the capital,
Riga, 120 Setra customers came together
from across the Baltic region to experience
the presentation of the new Comfort-
Class 500. The offer for test drives in the
S 516 HD/2 was accepted enthusiastically.
At the evening event, the guests enjoyed
the opportunity to share their thoughts and
experiences in a relaxed atmosphere.
Best Bus Vienna, Vienna (Austria),
11/8–10/2012
Also in the Austrian capital on the Danube,
all eyes were on the Setra highlight – the
ComfortClass 500 – and its sensational
presentation.
SetraShow, Neu-Ulm, 11/17–18/2012
In 2012, the 20 th SetraShow attracted
2,100 visitors – in fact, a third more guests
to the Setra CustomerCenter in Neu-Ulm
than in the previous year. Of course, the
ComfortClass 500 series was a major focal
point. The MultiClass 400 S 412 UL and
S 416 H models with Euro VI engine technology
celebrated their premiere. A special
booth provided information on the results of
the Record Run Buses 2012, while exhibiting
the test vehicle which consumes 8.2%
less diesel than its predecessor. Moreover,
test drives of the ComfortClass 500, a tour
of the coach production and demonstrations
of Active Brake Assist (ABA2), the
advanced emergency braking system, were
real highlights at the Setra family's annual
get-together.
Persontrafik, Gothenburg (Sweden),
11/27–29/2012
The Persontrafik is one of the largest trade
shows in the Swedish transport sector. Visitors
from all parts of the country experienced
the official Swedish premiere of the
ComfortClass 500 at the Setra stand. The
guests, who were all positioned around the
highlight of the Setra stand, an S 516 HD,
could book test drives and discuss business
in a relaxed atmosphere. Another
benefit of the extremely positive visitor
response: the dates for the roadshow which
took place in January 2013 were completely
booked by the end of the event – and the
roadshow was met with great success.
20 th IGOM International Used Bus and
Coach Fair, Neu-Ulm,
1/4–5/2013
The IGOM fair, the traditional kick-off to the
new year, has evolved into a very important
platform for contacts with international
flair. Next to the Setra UsedVehicle Center,
renowned used vehicle dealers, general
representatives and EvoBus subsidiaries
once again presented their used coaches
and buses. But a new vehicle was also very
present at the event this year: in response
to great demand, visitors enjoyed yet
another opportunity to test drive the
ComfortClass 500.
SetraShow, Vetlanda (Sweden),
1/18–19/2013
The SetraShow in Vetlanda, in the Swedish
province of Småland, was held in the new
home of EvoBus Sweden. An S 516 HD from
the new ComfortClass 500 series was
shown and available for test drives on day
two of the event. Interesting seminars and
an OMNIplus presentation completed the
programme.
At the TRANSEXPO in Kielce (Poland), the ComfortClass 500
proved its exceptional appeal to visitors at the Setra stand
AUTOCAR EXPO, Bordeaux (France),
10/17–20/2012
The largest French coach and bus show –
AUTOCAR EXPO – is an extremely important
event for the industry and its brands.
It is held every two years and is entirely
organised by 10 French coach and bus manufacturers,
including Setra and Mercedes-
Benz.
The October event date is closely aligned
to the special needs of the French market.
During the year’s last quarter, French coach
operators traditionally order their new
coaches and, prior to making their decisions,
they like to discuss new vehicles on
offer with their peers. It is therefore an ideal
time to present the new ComfortClass 500
to a receptive audience at the 1,280 m² exhibition
space, and to offer test drives. The
S 516 HD/2 on display was a true highlight
at the EvoBus France exhibition stand. An
S 416 UL with Euro VI engine, also a French
premiere, also attracted many visitors to
the stand. Seven other Setra coaches were
also on display at the stand and on the outdoor
show grounds.
This popular industry get-together was held
for the third time – with great success, as
proven by a good 200 exhibitors and more
than 2,700 visitors. Before Bordeaux, the
AUTOCAR EXPO was held in Nice in 2008
and 2010. The dates and location for the
2014 event stand firm: October 15–18 in
Lyon.