From a personal view, the Optare products are now quite an outdated design. The Solo is a facelifted 20+ year old design (approaching 12 years now since the first Solo SR was delivered), the Versa is now a 12 year old design, and the Metrocity is a cut down budget version of the same 12 year old design Versa. You now have these "old" designs facing stiff competition from the Streetlite and the very modern looking E200MMC. If you're a commercial operator looking to increase growth on a frontline commercial service you'll want something to shout about in a press launch. Does a Versa with it's original 12 year old design pack the same punch as the striking E200MMC? It certainly doesn't if you're replacing an earlier batch of Versas with a new batch.
Both the E200MMC and Streetlite offer stop-start technology too as part of the Smart Pack and Micro Hybrid packages, something Optare don't have. Green technology and being environmentally friendly is becoming more important nowadays. It helps with the company green credentials and carbon reduction from idling buses in town and city centres through buying vehicles fitted with the technology, while also helping the operator to reduce costs from cutting out idling.
You also have the growth of the Mellor Strata increasing competition with the short length slimline Solo. The Strata is cheaper to purchase and can return an impressive 20mpg. Stop-start technology is being added to the Sprinter range shortly too, further enhancing the green credentials of the Strata in the near future. The reduced costs of operating the Strata compared to the small Solo make it a strong contender.
Electric/hybrid buses have been one of the strongest ventures for Optare in my view in recent years, but this is now seeing increased competition with the introduction of the BYD based electric buses and with Yutong breaking into the UK market too. I personally think it's quite noteworthy that Go North East ordered Yutong E10 electric buses rather than opting for Optare, considering they already have experience of Optares, and maintaining some body parts commonality in the fleet.
This is before you take a look at the accounts for Optare. They've made a substantial loss every year for the last 5 financial years. The latest published accounts for the year to 31st March 2018 showing a loss of almost £15million. Turnover more than halved from the year to March 2015 (£57.8million) to March 2018 (£26.9million). It's a considerable downturn in sales. (Figures from key financials on Company Check for Optare PLC)
