Neoplan

For the defunct North American licensee, see Neoplan USA.

Neoplan Bus GmbH is a German bus and coach manufacturer. The company is now a subsidiary of NEOMAN Bus GmbH, which itself is a part of MAN AG. The company is particularly known for its futuristic designs[citation needed] .

History

The company was founded by Gottlob Auwärter in Stuttgart in 1935, and manufactured bodywork for bus and truck chassis. From the beginning the design of the buses produced was stylistic. After World War II an all-steel body design was developed, a rarity at that time. The company became known for its technical expertise, and by 1953 had moved away from manufacturing buses on truck chassis to a partial monocoque design with a steel tube skeleton providing the structural support, enhanced by welded side panels. The engine was moved to the rear, and the running gear and body functioned as one. In 1957 air suspension was made available, greatly improving the ride of the bus for the passenger.