Dutch electric bus manufacturer Ebusco has announced that the first Ebusco 3.0 articulated 18-metre electric bus has rolled off the production line at Golden Dragon’s manufacturing facility in Longhai, Fujian Province, China.
The vehicle is destined for delivery to a European customer and marks the start of production of the articulated model under Ebusco’s outsourced manufacturing strategy.
The Ebusco 3.0, introduced in 2019, features a lightweight carbon fibre composite body designed to reduce vehicle weight and energy consumption. The articulated version entered production in the Netherlands in 2022 before manufacturing was transferred to China.
Shift to Contract Manufacturing
The move forms part of Ebusco’s transition from manufacturing buses in-house to an Original Equipment Design (OED) model, under which production is carried out by contract manufacturers while the company retains responsibility for vehicle design, engineering, quality assurance and pre-delivery inspection.
Golden Dragon is one of Ebusco’s longstanding manufacturing partners. Before establishing production in the Netherlands, Ebusco’s earlier buses were built on Golden Dragon chassis, and the two companies have maintained a commercial relationship for more than a decade.
Under the current arrangement, Ebusco’s Dutch operations will continue to focus on product development and engineering, while vehicle assembly is undertaken at Golden Dragon’s facility between the cities of Xiamen and Zhangzhou.
The company also maintains a strategic relationship with Chinese battery manufacturer Gotion, one of Ebusco’s largest shareholders.
Response to Financial Challenges
The decision to manufacture in China comes as Ebusco continues to restructure its business following several years of financial and operational difficulties.
During 2024, production delays, supply chain disruption and working capital shortages led to late deliveries, order cancellations and a sharp deterioration in the company’s financial position. Ebusco subsequently announced a turnaround plan that included outsourcing production, reducing its workforce and lowering operating costs.
In 2025, the company completed most of its transition to the OED manufacturing model, arguing that experienced contract manufacturers in Asia could improve production reliability while reducing capital requirements. The strategy also allows Ebusco to concentrate on engineering and product development rather than operating its own assembly facilities.
Despite implementing cost reductions and securing additional working capital support from Asian partners, Ebusco has continued to report liquidity constraints and has acknowledged material uncertainty regarding its ability to continue as a going concern while it pursues further refinancing and strategic options.
The rollout of the first articulated Ebusco 3.0 from the Golden Dragon factory therefore represents an operational milestone as the company seeks to restore production capacity and fulfil customer orders under its revised manufacturing model.
