Although negotiations with all interested partners to produce the Hispano-bodied TIBS bendy-bus had almost reached a satisfactory conclusion, CMNL regrets that the project has now been cancelled.

Obtaining the final agreement to license production of the model proved a final stumbling block.

CMNL wishes to reassure its collector fans that the recently announced Citaro bendy-bus will come in on schedule during the first part of 2005.

Photograph courtesy of Jotus.com

Released in Hong Kong on 25th October was the Citybus Scania/Volgren in special 25th Anniversary livery (80801). This model comes from 80M Bus Model Shop.

Further models announced on the 80M Bus Model Shop website are the KMB ECW bodied Leyland Olympian, which I assume, as we have seen before, will be issued by Cars Workshop but based on the Best Choose casting, and a KMB Dennis Jubilant with Duple Metsec bodywork.

Photograph courtesy of Jotus.com

Now released in Hong Kong is the latest Mitsubishi Fuso CNG in Sendai City Bus colours (JB1008). The model is limited to 2,300 pieces.

The new Jotus.com website now appears to be running more smoothly and I have received several e-mails from regular visitors to my site advising that they have placed orders through the new payment system and have already received their models. I believe there are still a few minor bugs to be ironed out though. 

Photograph courtesy of 80M Bus Model Shop

Due for release in Hong Kong tomorrow is the Cars Workshop KMB Seddon Mk17 (39301). Please note the revised product code for this model.

Now available in the UK Citybus MAN/Volgren No. 2500 (OM45405) in its original livery, Omitted from previous 'News' reports was the fact that the 'Stagecoach style' corporate livery version (OM45404) was available at Showbus, so was released in late September.

Photographs of two prototypes Mitsubishi Fuso Aero King coaches, which are to be the subject of the forthcoming Creative Master Northcord models, have been added to the appropriate pages JB4001 and JB4002.

Pictured above is a recently released video/DVD from independent transport videos, entitled 'Hong Kong Island 2003'. Further details can be found by visiting the independent transport videos website.

New pages have been added for the three Japanese models that appear in the new Creative Master Northcord catalogue, featured below. These are JB4001 and JB4002, the Mitsubishi Fuso Aero Kings in JR Bus Kanto and Hato Bus liveries, and JB5001, the Isuzu BX341. Please note that these product codes are assumed codes.

The Shanghai Ba-Shi Group Volvo/Sunwin SWB5115GP trolleybus is now available in Hong Kong (cnbus1005). 

Pictured above is the new Creative Master Northcord Ltd product catalogue for 2004/05. The full catalogue can be viewed here.