Mercedes Delivers 30,000th Citaro

Citaro, a bus Mercedes-Benz likes to call the most successful rural bus of all time, has achieved one important milestone this week: the 30,000th such bus was delivered to transport company Linz Linien.

The anniversary model is a Citaro G CNG in silver metallic paintwork offset with traffic orange, fitted with a natural gas engine. The M 447 LAG engine outputs an estimated 240 kW (322 hp) power and complies with the Enhanced Environmentally friendly Vehicle (EEV) emissions standard without a particulate filter.

Mercedes prides itself with having built most of all the Citaros sold at the bus factory in Mannheim, the birthplace of the buses since 1998. What is even more remarkable for the bus is that, given the high number of companies ordering them and their specific requirements, very few Citaros resemble another one.

According to the German carmaker, there are now 28 different design variants of the model, starting with the Citaro K and ending with the Citaro CapaCity. This wide offering makes it ideal for both rural and urban transport.

“The Citaro has always been a trend-setter in the area of regular-service buses. Technical and design developments are continually incorporated into the production process,” said Michael Gopfarth, head of sales at the Mercedes-Benz Bus and Coach EvoBus division said when handing over the 30,000th unit to two executives from Linz Linien.

“These lead to outstanding economy and reliability at the transport undertakings and offer passengers an attractive means of transport. The Citaro is able to accommodate virtually any conceivable wish among our customers."