Marcopolo restarts European expansion in growth drive

Marcopolo is resuming its presence in Europe as part of a broader international expansion push. On 10 September 2026, CEO André Armaganijan detailed in an interview with Money Times that the Brazilian bus manufacturer began this European rollout in Italy and France, with plans to expand later into Portugal and Spain.

The company previously closed a plant in Portugal, but it is now adopting an asset-light approach. Instead of building new local factories, Marcopolo is exporting premium vehicles developed at its Caxias do Sul plant in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. These vehicles are adapted to local homologation requirements and sold in partnership with chassis manufacturers.

North America remains another core pillar of the strategy. Marcopolo is the second-largest shareholder in New Flyer and exports Mexican-made minibuses to the United States. In Mexico, where it has operated a plant since the early 2000s, the company recently launched a domestically produced coach and is testing it with local clients.

Beyond North America, Marcopolo operates plants in Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Mexico, South Africa, China, and Australia. The company views Africa as an opportunity for fleet renewals and relies on regional supply chains in Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico to shield its business from global tariffs and geopolitical shocks.