The Lat.Bus 2026 fair, held in São Paulo between August 11th and 13th, established itself as one of the main urban mobility events in Latin America. The meeting brought together chassis manufacturers and bodybuilders, while also promoting crucial debates about the future of public transport and the necessary strategies to reduce pollutant emissions.
A growing theme during the event was the Brazilian industry's apprehension regarding the advance of Chinese automotive companies in the market.
From January to July 2026, according to information provided by the National Federation of Motor Vehicle Distributors (Fenabrave), BYD occupied second place among bus brands, registering the sale of 175 units. Caio Induscar, which manufactures bodies for various chassis, including those of BYD itself, led the overall ranking. However, only in July did the Chinese manufacturer take the lead with 60 vehicles registered.
Igor Calvet, president of the National Association of Automotive Manufacturers (Anfavea), emphasized the need for Brazil to balance fleet modernization and decarbonization with the maintenance of national engineering and productive capacity. He warned that international manufacturers are expanding their presence not only in Brazil but also in neighboring countries that traditionally purchased vehicles manufactured in the country.
Calvet argued that protecting national engineering and productive capacity against this competition does not represent an opposition to change, but rather a defense of specialized jobs and the technical knowledge accumulated by Brazilian manufacturers over seven decades.
Rubem Bisi, president of the National Association of Bus Manufacturers (Fabus), advocated for the implementation of robust and lasting programs to finance the technological updating of public transport. According to him, it is essential to establish fair competitive conditions for an industry that generates jobs, contributes taxes, develops low-emission solutions, and operates in the export of technology and vehicles.
Several manufacturers used the presentations to emphasize that their solutions are designed and tested within Brazilian territory, aiming to meet the specificities of the local market. This argument extends to after-sales service, as locally developed products ensure that the dealership network and technical support are closer to the consumer, promising faster problem resolution compared to fully imported items.
Volvo presented two new products at Lat.Bus 2026. One is the electric BZR-LE 6x2 chassis, designed for bodies up to 15 meters and capable of carrying up to 110 passengers. This model incorporates the high-energy density Volvo CUBE battery and can achieve an autonomy of up to 300 kilometers. Its high-power charging system supports up to 250 kW via CCS2 plug, allowing for a full recharge in up to two hours.
The second launch was the B320R B100 Flex 6x2, equipped with the D8K engine, the same one used in the VM semi-truck. This chassis can operate using B100, pure biodiesel, or conventional diesel, in any proportion, a technology already present in the FH 500 B100.
Additionally, Volvo introduced the i-See system, which uses artificial intelligence to optimize gear changes and accelerations. This technology will be available on the B380R, B420R, B460R, and B510R chassis, all equipped with 13-liter engines.
Completing 70 years of operation in Brazil in 2026, Mercedes-Benz used the fair to announce the start of sales for the eO500UA chassis, intended for articulated buses. The big news was the eCity, a 100% electric bus built on the platform of the OF chassis, which is the brand's best seller in Brazil. Mercedes-Benz opted to sell the eCity already bodied, a strategy that puts it in direct competition with Chinese manufacturers who adopted the same business model.
This bus will have a length of 12 meters and a raised floor, offering an average autonomy of up to 150 kilometers. The company will also provide electric mobility consulting to help assess the technical viability of the vehicle in different operations. The expected market arrival is in 2027, although the price has not yet been disclosed.
Volkswagen Trucks and Buses, celebrating 45 years in Brazil, displayed three innovations. Its entire bus line now features a digital dashboard, a feature already present in the Delivery, Constellation, and Meteor models. Focused on electromobility, the manufacturer launched the e-Volksbus 18H for charter and the e-Volksbus 22H for urban use, including BRT corridors and cities with elevated platforms. The e-Volksbus 22H has a capacity to carry up to 82 passengers.
Both electric models have two battery options: with eight packs, they achieve 200 kilometers of autonomy; with 12 batteries, they can travel 250 kilometers. Furthermore, the manufacturer brought updates to the diesel and electric buses. In the diesel segment, the new 11-liter SUPER engine was presented, which should also arrive in trucks and feature in Fenatran 2026 news. This engine, suitable for road and urban use, will have 350, 390, and 430 hp versions, standing out for its Turbo Dosing system, which uses the turbo to inject Arla 32, resulting in greater atomization efficiency and lower reagent consumption. Along with the engine, the G25CM 14-speed gearbox with overdrive, the 4.700D retarder, and the R 756 axle, which is 27 kg lighter than the R 780, were presented.
In the electromobility area, Scania exhibited the new electric K300 6x2 4 chassis, ideal for bodies up to 15 meters and capable of carrying up to 105 passengers, offering an autonomy between 250 and 300 kilometers. The model was equipped with the new rear axle R886, with a ratio of 4.56:1. In a configuration with five batteries (three on the roof and one at the rear), the total capacity reaches 445 kWh, of which 400 kWh are usable, and the charging time is about 73 minutes. The unit uses the C1-4 electric machine, rated at 300 kW, equivalent to approximately 410 hp, coupled with a four-speed transmission.
Iveco, experiencing a positive period in the Brazilian market with strong growth in 2025, presented specific novelties. In the Daily Minibus line, the 17+1 configuration, intended for charter, was shown. The Daily Minibus 45-180 and 50-180 models now include the Hi-Matic automatic transmission, the same ZF 8HP eight-speed gearbox already available in the Daily 35-180, using the FPT F1C 180 hp and 430 Nm torque engine.
In terms of chassis, Iveco debuted the 17-280, a model with a four-cylinder engine, the FPT N45, which delivers 210 hp and 720 Nm of torque. Additionally, the brand displayed the 17-210 G chassis, powered entirely by gas produced at the Iveco factory in Córdoba, Argentina.
Marcopolo, one of the most traditional Brazilian bodybuilders, revealed two important launches. The Paradiso G8 TEC received technological enhancements, such as digital rearview mirrors, a 360° camera system, and AI driver monitoring capable of detecting signs of fatigue, distraction, and risky behavior. The bodywork was also improved aerodynamically with new fins, developed in collaboration with the Aeronautical Technological Institute (ITA), which can reduce fuel consumption and emissions by up to 3.5%.
The second novelty was the new Torino, the leading urban segment bodywork since 1983. In the 2027 version, the model received a new front lighting assembly with LED or halogen headlight options, integrated LED DRL, and LED fog lights. The headlight access cover was redesigned to facilitate maintenance. The air conditioning system was also optimized, and the Torino received new seats and thermal and acoustic insulation packages.
Finally, Caio Induscar displayed a new range of bodies focused on urban applications, including the second generation of the eApache VIP (electric), the Apache VIP IV (diesel), the bMillennium (biomethane and gas), and the eMillennium (electric).
An additional ten modern Yutong E9 electric buses were handed over to the capital's passenger carrier. These vehicles were manufactured by a Chinese company whose headquarters and main production facilities are located in Zhengzhou.
The E9 model is a low-floor electric bus designed for urban use, with a length of approximately nine meters. The manufacturer states that it can accommodate up to 62 passengers and is equipped with a 255.48 kilowatt-hour battery pack.
Mirakbar Ikramov, Head of the Main Directorate for Transport Development and Road Transport Infrastructure of Tashkent, participated in the event where symbolic keys were presented. The new buses are equipped with various systems ensuring safety and comfort for passengers.
The Ministry of Transport expressed hope that increasing the number of rolling stock will improve the level of services provided and make travel around the capital more comfortable.
Furthermore, the text mentions a recent incident: previously, a road traffic accident involving two city buses occurred in the Yunusabad district of Tashkent, resulting in one injured passenger.
