No matter it uses Gemilang bodies or MCV evolution bodies, as
long as they are under SMRT kind of maintainance standards,
eventually they will become crap buses. No need to expect too much
from them, you will be disappointed most of the times. Look at the
maintenance standards of the current fleet, even about half of the
ELBO Scanias were forced to retire early.
Hmmm... If you claim you have a photo which in turns act as
proof of evidence that the production MAN buses are Gemilang
bodied, i am truly, utterly disappointed with SMRT Buses. The demo
MAN with MCV Evolution bodywork to me is a stepping
stone. At least, SBS Transit have their Wright bodied B9TLs and if
SMRT Buses went ahead with MCV Evolution for their production MAN
buses, we get to see two different types of European bodywork
after a long absence. Unfortunately, i can't seem to comprehend the
fact that they chose Gemilang after 1100 Scania K230UBs and 134
Mercedes Benz OC500LE to prove that Gemilang bodied buses aren't
exactly the way to go for city buses, especially if the chassis are
good quality ones, but bodied by cheap quality Asian made bodywork.
Well, i suppose it all boils down to cost cutting measures and
profits at the end of the day. Can't say much for SBS Transit. At
least, they're willing to invest in double deckers with good
quality European bodywork and even a mass purchase of the world
wide popular: Mercedes Benz 0530 Citaro, despite the fact SMRT
trialled one bus and subsequently, bought only 10 miserable units.
Sigh......