Serbian bus builders

Former Yugoslavia had several bus builders, which, as a result of politics at the time, closely collaborated. After the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1991/1992 and the independence wars, factories found themselves in different countries and markets and had to adapt.

Serbia had three established bus builders: Ikarus in Zemun, which was established in 1923, Autokarroserija in Novi Sad, established in 1952, and FAP in Priboj, established in 1953. Zastava in Kragujevac, established in 1904, was mainly a car builder but also built smaller buses.

 

Ikarbus a.d. (Ikarbus – Fabrika autobusa i specijalnih vozila a.d.) is a Serbian bus manufacturer based in Zemun, Belgrade. It was originally established as an aircraft manufacturer in 1923, under the name Ikarus. In 1954, it commenced bus production and since 1960 it completely shifted towards it. In 1992, it changed its name to Ikarbus. Since 2019, it is majority owned by the Chinese “Green Stone Investment Co.”, though production has not restarted. Ikarbus website. Wikipedia see here. 

Neobus was the successor to Autokarroserija in Novi Sad in 1992. It was declared bankrupt in 2012. Wikipedia see here.

FAP, Korporacija Fabrika automobila Priboj (Serbian: Корпорација Фабрика Аутомобила Прибој, was established in 1952. After the breakup of Yugoslavia the company lost most of its market. Since 2014 the focus is on military production. The Serbian Government is the main owner. Wikipedia see here. Company website.

Zastava (Застава Аутомобили, Zastava Automobili) was primarily a car builder, though trucks and light buses were also built. The factory closed in 2008. See here.

Nibus was a new bus builder in 1996, when the Nis Express company started building its own buses. See our Nibus page.

 

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