An opportunity to discover the new vehicles - buses, but also minibuses and midibuses - that will lead the way in public transport and long-distance travel in the green revolution, as well as the galaxy of components that go with them.

And a common thread unites all exhibitors in this sector: the energy and digital transition. A challenge that the industrial world has been tackling for some time, bringing sustainable and technological products to the market. Among the manufacturers present at NME, Iveco Bus, market leader in Italy in 2023 with 1,782 registered vehicles, will be presenting the flagship models of its range, which includes buses from 8 to 18 metres. Meanwhile, there will be two strings to MAN's bow: the Lion will roar with the Lion's City E in the "short" 10.5-metre version, the younger sibling to the 12-metre battery-powered model that dominates electric urban vehicles in Europe and with a coach from the Neoplan brand, a 12-metre long Tourliner.

Solaris, on the other hand, will bring to Milan – where the ATM fleet dominates – the 12-metre Urbino powered by hydrogen. Otokar, which is growing fast in the Italian market – last year it registered 91 vehicles – having recently bought Mauri Bus System to optimise its operations in the country, will have a large presence at NME. In addition to the Kent with diesel engine, the Turkish company's stand will host three electric models: in Class I, the 12-metre E-Kent and the short eCentro C, while in Class II the E-Territo, shown for the first time in Italy.

From a Turkish company to an important Chinese player, namely BYD (87 units registered in Italy in 2023). The firm only produces electric buses, which will dominate the stand of the manufacturer from the Land of the Dragon.

Next up is Anadolu Isuzu (with the Italian dealer Officine Mirandola): the Turkish manufacturer — 63 registration plates in 2023 — will be exhibiting the NovoCiti Volt, CitiVolt and the NovoCiti Life in Class II.

Industria Italiana Autobus, on the other hand, focuses on its flagship model, the Citymood 12e, which effectively accounted for all 55 registrations last year.

The large Turkish contingent will also include the participation of Karsan: very recently the company from Bursa announced the launch of KMobility, its sole Italian dealer, which at NME will focus heavily on the 8-metre self-driving e-Atak, but will also include the all-electric 12-metre and 6-metre e-Jest Ata Hydrogens.

And back to China. Yutong will catch the eye of those present with four buses, all electric: the E7, the U12 and the U18 — and the interurban ICE 12.

Meanwhile, Ayats, at Milan with the dealer Officine Di Maio, will showcase two surprises: the Horizon in the two-axle version (11.60 metres) and the three-axle version (13.35 metres).

Indcar will also be present, fresh from a very positive 2023, which closed with an agreement with Bluebus for the marketing in Italy (and Spain) of the French manufacturer's 6-metre electric vehicle. Indcar will bring a methane Mobi to NME.

Tecnobus is working to relaunch its flagship product with renewed impetus: the incredibly short electric Gulliver, a historic minibus and only 5.320 millimetres long.

Among the main Italian outfitters, D'Auria Group returns to the Fiera Milano stage with its tourist vehicle created jointly with Lithuanian manufacturer Altas Auto on a Mercedes Sprinter chassis: the Tourline, one of the Campania-based company’s flagship models. But the big news from home is the Novus City V7, distributed in Italy on behalf of Altas: an all-electric 7.5 metre offering, co-designed by the Chinese company Zhongtong, protagonist of a European roadshow that will also stop in the capital of Lombardy during NME.

Another Chinese company exhibiting at Next Mobility Exhibition, King Long, through its sole dealer for Italy Dierre Dimensione Ricambi, will focus heavily on its electric range for urban mission profiles.

Finally, Chinese manufacturer Zonson will be at Fiera Milano through the retailer Pagliani Service, having just won a tender for the lines running through the hillside areas of Turin and for ANM Naples.