Switch Mobility, originally called Optare, is an English bus manufacturer based in Sherburn-in-Elmet, North Yorkshire.
| FactSnippet No. 967,579 |
11 Facts About Optare
2.
Optare would be responsible for the EV operations of the group with Ashok Leyland focusing on its core business of diesel-powered vehicles as well as work on alternative fuels like compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas and hydrogen.
| FactSnippet No. 967,580 |
3.
Optare soon introduced a competitor, the Vecta, albeit slightly bigger and wider than the Dart at that time, seating 40 in a full width 2.
| FactSnippet No. 967,581 |
4.
CityPacer and StarRider were phased out in the years after Optare purchased the design for the MCW Metrorider in July 1989, rebranding it as the Optare MetroRider.
| FactSnippet No. 967,582 |
5.
In 1990, Optare joined a group called the United Bus, which included DAF Bus.
| FactSnippet No. 967,583 |
6.
Optare acquired Autobus Classique in 1996, shortly after the launch of their Nouvelle luxury minicoach.
| FactSnippet No. 967,584 |
7.
Optare began introduction of low-floor buses in the UK in 1995 with the launch of the Optare Excel full size single decker.
| FactSnippet No. 967,585 |
8.
In 2000, Optare was bought by Hungarian owned North American Bus Industries .
| FactSnippet No. 967,586 |
9.
On 12 March 2008, Optare was purchased by Jamesstan Investments, an investment company controlled by the Darwen Group's parent company chairman Ron Stanley.
| FactSnippet No. 967,587 |
10.
Optare initially remained an independent company but by 17 July 2008, a reverse takeover by Darwen Group had been completed.
| FactSnippet No. 967,588 |
11.
In June 2015, Optare was delisted from the Alternative Investment Market.
| FactSnippet No. 967,589 |