Ikarbus rolls out first bus with Mercedes star

The first bus manufactured as a result of cooperation between Mercedes and Ikarbus rolled out from the factory in Zemun on March 9th, and the sign of the German automotive giant was symbolically placed on the new bus by Serbian First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, the Serbian government announced.

Vucic said on that occasion that it was a big and important day because Mercedes was back to Serbia after 17 years and because it was an indicator of the growth of Serbia's industrial power.

- This is a big and important signal of the regrowth of Serbia's industrial power. Since some people managed to almost destroy Ikarbus before, we are here today to show that 300 employees is enough to turn everything around and start returning the old strength to Ikarbus through a cooperation with Mercedes - said Vucic.

He noted that the bus was priced at EUR 135,000 and that it had already attracted attention of clients from neighboring countries, adding that it would be available across entire southeast Europe.

Vucic said that Ikarbus workers had showed that Serbian workers were the best workers when given a motivation.

Those who did not believe that there would be a Mercedes from Serbia can see its prototype today and buy it in three days at the Auto Show, said Vucic.

The new bus model IK 112 LE will be presented at the forthcoming Auto Show in Belgrade.

After a cooperation agreement is signed with Mercedes, the Ikarbus factory in Zemun will be working on another six or seven new bus models - city, intercity, tourist and minivan.

As it was announced before, parts for this bus are made by 90 companies from Serbia.