Among the bus manufacturers, the Optare Group has a very brief history. The company was founded in 1985 by a group of employees from the former Charles H Roe bodyworks, an ex-member of the British Leyland Motors Corporation. It was based at the former Roe plant in Crossgates, Leeds.

When Metro-Cammell Weymann closed down in 1989, the Optare group has continued the production of the Metrorider midibus.

The group has also co-operated with Leyland DAF and developed a number of models, including Delta and Spectra. In 1997, Optare acquired Autobus, a specialist builder of luxury midi coaches using Mercedes Benz components.

In 1998, the group developed its own bus Solo. It won the Queen's innovation award in 2000.

Optare Alero (United Kingdom)

Optare Excel (Malta, United Kingdom)

Optare Metrorider (Malaysia, United Kingdom)

Optare Solo (United Kingdom)

Optare Tempo (United Kingdom)

Optare Versa (United Kingdom)

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Page created: 31 May 1999

Last updated: 14 August 2011