First Ikarbus-Mercedes bus shown in Belgrade

First Ikarbus-Mercedes bus shown in Belgrade

Vučić said it was "a great and important day, which also marked the return of Mercedes to Serbia after 17 years."

“This is a great and important signal of re-growth of Serbian industrial strength. As there have been certain people who almost managed to destroy Ikarbus in a miraculous way, we are here today to show that 300 employees is enough to give things another direction, put Ikarbus on track to restore its old strength and enter such a cooperation with Mercedes,” said Vučić.

He said that the bus will be sold for EUR 135,000 across southeastern Europe and some neighboring countries have already expressed interest in buying them.

“I am grateful to the workers who have since January, when parts for the bus arrived, worked hard day and night, showing the strength of a Serbian worker and how we can work when we have motivation,” Vučić said and expressed his gratitude to German Ambassador to Serbia Heinz Wilhelm and all the participants in the project.

Vučić expressed the hope that the production in Serbia will be successful and that Serbia "will not have to import buses from Poland as it will have its own, Serbian Mercedes.”

“I am confident that the cooperation with such a reputable company will help greatly improve the quality of the product and its placement on the domestic and foreign markets,” said Ikarbus General Director Aleksandar Vicentic, and thanked the Serbian government, Mercedes-Benz, and employees for managing to make a quality bus in such a short time.

Mercedes-Benz Serbia CEO Rolf-Juergen Seyerle said that the production of this bus model is a good signal for Ikarbus and Serbia and voiced hope that the cooperation will be a great success.

The new bus, labeled IK 112 LE, will be shown off at the upcoming motor show in Belgrade.

Six to seven new models of buses will be produced at the factory in Zemun following the signing of a cooperation agreement between Mercedes-Benz and Ikarbus.