One of the region’s leading distributors of heavy vehicles, commercial mobility and industrial equipment, Al-Futtaim Auto & Machinery Company (FAMCO) has officially signed a significant contract with Gemilang Coachwork Sdn Bhd (GML) for the delivery of 76 Volvo double-decker buses to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai. The signing ceremony, which took place in Johor Bahru, was graced by distinguished guests, including Malaysia’s Minister of Transport, Yang Berhormat Tuan Anthony Loke Siew Fook.
This contract represents a pivotal milestone in FAMCO’s mission to harness the power of global expertise and partnerships to drive progress within the urban transportation sector in Dubai. The project will feature double-decker buses built on Volvo chassis and complemented by GML’s innovative aluminium superstructure, utilizing Constellium’s Swiss Aluminium Alloy and Bolted System Bus Body Technology, renowned for its durability and performance in Europe for over 50 years.
Ramez Hamdan, Regional Managing Director of Al-Futtaim Industrial Equipment (FAMCO), spoke at the ceremony and highlighted the strategic significance of this collaboration, commenting, “This project transcends the mere delivery of buses; it aims to enhance the entire public transport infrastructure in Dubai. At FAMCO, we believe that true innovation arises from collaboration with the best. We are proud to leverage the global expertise of Volvo and Gemilang to provide world-class transportation solutions that establish new benchmarks for safety, efficiency, and sustainability in the region.”
Pang Jun Jie, Executive Director of Gemilang Coachwork Sdn Bhd, expressed pride in this partnership. “These 76 buses reflect our commitment to delivering high-quality, innovative transportation solutions and the trust we have established with FAMCO and our international partners,” stated Pang.
In addition to the double-decker buses, GML will also provide Volvo BZL electric buses to FAMCO, further demonstrating Al-Futtaim Automotive’s commitment to steering sustainable transportation across sectors and contributing towards the UAE’s Net Zero Strategy 2050 roadmap.
“The electric buses signify our forward-thinking approach to mobility. At Gemilang, we prioritize sustainability and are proud to align our products with global green transportation initiatives,” he added.
In his address at the signing ceremony, Malaysia’s Minister of Transport, Yang Berhormat Tuan Anthony Loke emphasized how this collaboration signifies the robust business ties between Malaysia and the UAE across sectors, and now in the automotive manufacturing sector. “Gemilang’s achievement in securing this contract is a testament to Malaysia’s manufacturing capabilities. The trust placed in our vehicles to meet Dubai’s public transportation needs showcases Malaysia’s readiness to compete on the world stage, offering quality, innovation, and reliability,” the Minister noted. He further underscored the importance of such events in demonstrating Malaysia’s potential as a key player in the global automotive industry.
The delivery of the Volvo BZL electric buses will mark a significant contribution to Dubai’s public transport landscape, aligning with the city’s sustainability objectives and supporting RTA’s Zero Emission Public Transport Strategy 2050.