Very Unique Rig on Bus Chassis!

[usonian]

Came across this yesterday while I was doing some "internet firebuffing in Europe".



It's a pumper-rescue based on a Volvo bus chassis:
http://www.firebus.se/02nyheten_eng.htm

Here's one in service in Oslo, Norway:
http://home.no.net/hobbsi/ny_91.htm

What do you think? How well do you think this concept might work in North America?

[k1500chevy97]

Someone correct me if this is wrong .
Don't HME and Thomas busses use the same chassis or some of the same components ?

[BCFD25]

well i dont think so but i will do some more checking the reason i say no is because thomas built buses are owned by Freightliner which is owned by by Mercedes which is owned by Daimler Chrysler however i really dont know anything about HME so iguess it would boil down to what kind of components you are referring to i.e. i am sure both use allison trannies but just about everyone uses those if they want an automatic but a little tidbit of the subject is that in the next ten years anything freightliner will have mercedes trans with mercedes engines they might have a detroit as an option but not stock and since alf is owned by freightliner as well you can bet that there custom cabs will be the same