No company interested in "Neobus" – Bus factory from Novi Sad without a prospect purchaser

Sales of bus factory assets in Novi Sad failed, due to the fact that there was no interested purchaser. Therefore, the factory is still waiting, said Novak Vasic, president of Independent Metalworkers Union in Novi Sad.

"Neobus" assets were on auction, appointed by Commercial Court in Novi Sad. This company is insolvent since November 2012, while bankruptcy was pronounced in February this year. Assessed value of "Neobus" is nearly EUR 6.8 million and prospect purchasers has to put down EUR 1.3 million deposit, while the initial price should have been by 50% less than estimated value, about EUR 3.4 million.

- My predictions come true, said Vasic. Nobody wants to purchase the factory at half price of its value when the next auction, not appointed yet, offers it at 75% lower price.

As he continues, it is "interesting that the administrative receiver banned access to the factory on the day of auction, although it should have been public, explaining that he did it because there was no interested purchasers nor sale at all".

The other solutions have to be found, but nobody from the city government has commented on the suggestion of Independent Metalworkers Union that "Neobus" should be a public company, which would manufacture and repair buses for the purpose of Public City Transport Company (PCTC) of Novi Sad.

- I don’t know why nobody considers that option. The factory used to be famous bus manufacturer and there is a similar situation in Nis where the public transport company did the same. Now they have high-quality buses and the factory operates in the other markets as well – says Vasic.

12 hectares of "Neobus" property could meet the needs of the announced PCTC relocation.

Soon very close to the Boulevard of Europe, this land could be crucial. Due to the position it is too attractive and it is hard to believe that factory will be kept there – concludes Vasic.