You better hope another manufacturer (chassis or bodywork) is
able to come up with something similar or better, even if it is not
Mercedes-Benz.
You do realize that if MAN/GML is the only one who is able to
come with this concept (and presumably they have patented the
method), then they will be the only supplier who fits the required
specifications and can afford to charge a high premium.
If the SD and DD concept buses are jointly tendered, you can
expect a de facto lock-in contract for years to come with
MAN/STK/GML (A22 + A95 and perhaps even + A24).
This will have an impact on fares in the long run as more
capital costs will be required to acquire these new buses. $4
billion worth of operating subsidy and growing is neither
sustainable nor acceptable to LTA in the long run. It will get
worse with fares going down due to the current formula which PTC is
trying to get rid of.
I don't think MAN will suddenly charge a high premium, doing a
business isn't about charging customers as high as possible but
giving the best solutions to them.
I am sure that MAN will be able to give a competitive price as
they now have to be wary of other competitors who may adapt MAN's
idea to their own products.
One thing I have to say is that while you know a lot about the
industry, you tend to be pessimistic regarding BCM, their operators
and bus purchasing under BCM due to your experiences overseas which
while some aspects of it are relevant to Singapore's context, the
full picture may not be as pessimistic as you think due to the
differing cultures and domestic economic realities.
