Premiere: MAN showcases high-quality chassis solutions at Busworld Southeast Asia 2026

MAN Truck & Bus is consistently pursuing its internationalization strategy in the bus business: Together with its local sales partner Inframach, the company presented solutions for the first time at Busworld Southeast Asia 2026 in Jakarta. The showcase at the trade fair, held from May 20 to 22, focused on the MAN Lion’s Chassis CO (RR4) and a double-decker bus built on it for the Indonesian market. “The vehicle is an excellent example of the successful synergy between MAN technology and local bodybuilding expertise,” says Robert Katzer, Head of Sales & Product Bus at MAN Truck & Bus. With this debut at one of the most important regional bus trade shows in Southeast Asia, MAN is strategically strengthening its presence in Indonesia and the ASEAN region.

Unlike in Europe, where MAN produces and sells complete buses, the company focuses primarily on the sale of chassis in the global market. Certified local bodybuilders convert the chassis into market-specific vehicle solutions. “This allows us to respond flexibly to varying regional requirements and customer needs while simultaneously expanding our presence in emerging markets worldwide,” says Katzer.

Indonesia is one of Asia’s most significant bus markets

Indonesia is one of the most important growth markets for bus and passenger transport in Southeast Asia. The expansion of transportation infrastructure, rising mobility demands, and growth in tourism are driving high demand for modern, high-quality, and durable bus solutions. At the same time, issues such as safety, efficiency, and comfort are becoming increasingly important. “Our debut at Busworld Southeast Asia is an important step for us in sustainably strengthening our bus business in the region. With our proven range of chassis and strong local partners, we are ideally positioned to meet the growing demand for high-quality bus solutions in Indonesia,” adds Katzer.

MAN’s goal is to further strengthen its position in the local bus segment together with Inframach. While Inframach has been an established partner in MAN’s truck business for many years, the trade show appearance marks an important step toward the sustainable development of the bus business in the region.

MAN Lion’s Chassis: a versatile platform for the global market

The highlight of the trade show presentation was the three-axle Lion’s Chassis CO (RR4). This modern chassis stands out in particular for its adaptability: It serves as the basis for a wide variety of body types and is suitable for a diverse range of applications – from long-distance travel and tourism to premium passenger services. “The Lion’s Chassis CO is designed to support a wide range of bus body types. It offers a flexible foundation for configurations tailored to local operating conditions and specific customer requirements – with a particular focus on advanced safety features for passengers and drivers,” explained Roland Kopp, Program Lead Bus Chassis at MAN Truck & Bus.

The double-decker bus based on the MAN RR4 chassis also attracted attention at the trade show. The body was built by New Armada, a leading Indonesian manufacturer. MAN thus presented both the chassis and the complete, market-ready vehicle solution. After all, double-decker buses are no longer a rarity on long-distance routes within Indonesia. “The collaboration with Inframach and New Armada demonstrates how our engineering expertise and local bodywork expertise can work together. This is exactly the kind of partnership that will help us grow internationally,” says Kopp.

Busworld Southeast Asia is regarded as a major platform for the bus and coach industry in Southeast Asia. The trade show brings together vehicle manufacturers, bodybuilders, suppliers, transportation companies, and industry representatives to discuss – and showcase – current developments and future trends such as electrification, safety, and new mobility solutions.