Autocares Lucitur, a Madrid-based company that will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2026, has expanded its fleet with a new Otokar Navigo bus equipped with Allison’s new 9-Speed fully automatic transmission. After two years of positive results with a first 6-Speed model, the company is now investing in the new transmission to further enhance passenger and driver comfort, optimize fuel consumption and reduce maintenance costs.

Madrid, SPAIN, October 14^th 2025 – Autocares Lucitur is a family-owned company founded in 1986, with a long track record in passenger transport and proud to be preparing for its 40th anniversary. The company offers rental services with coaches, minibuses and vans for all types of trips: school transport, weddings, events and excursions. With a modern fleet of 26 vehicles, Lucitur maintains a constant commitment to reliability, passenger comfort and operational efficiency.

In this context, the Madrid-based bus operator has chosen Otokar to modernize its fleet with two Navigo buses. The first, purchased two years ago, was equipped with an Allison 6-Speed fully automatic transmission. The positive experience in terms of comfort, maneuverability and low operating costs led to the acquisition of a second Navigo, recently added, featuring the new 9-Speed Allison fully automatic transmission.

“We are pleased with the Otokar buses and with the performance of the Allison transmissions. Both are meeting our expectations,” said Carlos Martínez, General Manager of Autocares Lucitur.

Greater comfort for passengers and drivers in urban environments

The Navigo buses are designed to offer maximum versatility on urban and peri-urban routes. With bus lengths ranging from 7.8 to 9.2 meters, they adapt to the diverse needs of operators.

“The Navigo T is a compact, very maneuverable and particularly versatile bus for tourist transport. This makes it an ideal choice for both highways and the narrow historic city centers, perfectly suited for small group tourism. The new version also incorporates a more ergonomic dashboard and the GSR II safety system, further enhancing comfort and safety on board,” explained Juan Gómez, Sales Representative at Somauto for Lucitur.

Lucitur mainly operates these vehicles on urban routes with heavy traffic. In this scenario, the Allison fully automatic transmission plays a decisive role in ensuring a smooth, jerk-free ride—even on slopes—thanks to its torque converter technology combined with Continuous Power Technology™, which maintains uninterrupted power to the wheels. This performance is key to meeting the expectations of increasingly demanding passengers. “Starting on hills is easy, smooth and comfortable. Allison really helps our drivers and makes their job easier,” said Carlos Martínez.

The company also emphasizes that the more ergonomic design of the gear selector has improved the driver’s experience. “Because of traffic and traffic lights, during our routes we have to stop and start many times. In that context, if the transmission did not provide smoothness and comfort, it would be a problem — because passengers are increasingly demanding!” noted Carlos Martínez.

“Our drivers have noticed a less tiring driving experience and especially appreciate being able to keep their hands on the wheel at all times, which improves both comfort and control of the bus. The new selector, located on the left-hand side of the seat, is much more intuitive and quicker to use,” added Carlos Martínez.

Lower maintenance, optimized fuel consumption and more uptime

Another decisive factor in choosing the Navigo has been its low operating cost. “As with any transport company, it is fundamental for us to minimize costs and vehicle downtime. That is why we look for technology which help us reduce fuel consumption and for which maintenance, in addition to being economical, can be carried out in the shortest possible time. From a maintenance point of view, we are satisfied because so far the Allison transmissions have not given us any problems, which allows us to maximize the activity of our vehicles, something essential in our daily work,” stressed Carlos Martínez.

By eliminating the need for a mechanical clutch, Allison’s fully hydraulic transmission system with a torque converter minimizes wear and tear on driveline components and reduces the likelihood of breakdowns. This results in fewer workshop visits and less downtime, enabling Lucitur to maintain a high level of fleet availability and better control over operating costs. This enables Lucitur to maintain a high level of fleet availability and better control over operating costs. In the case of the new 9-Speed Navigo, the efficiency improvements also translate into optimized fuel consumption, a key advantage in daily urban services. “The reliability and low maintenance costs of the Navigo T ensure excellent long-term profitability for operators. With the new 9-Speed Allison fully automatic transmission, the bus delivers improved driving performance on slopes, lowers engine speed and optimizes fuel consumption, while also offering a more comfortable and controlled driving experience for drivers,” added Juan Gómez, Sales Representative at Somauto for Lucitur

A technology choice Lucitur recommends

The experience gained with both vehicles has strengthened Lucitur’s confidence in Allison technology and in Otokar’s Navigo range. For the company, the move from manual to fully automatic transmission — and now from the 6-Speed to the 9-Speed — has represented a clear step forward for both drivers and passengers.

“The 9-Speed Allison transmission is a step forward compared to manual transmissions. It provides greater comfort, smoothness and reliability for both passengers and drivers. It also offers fuel savings compared to vehicles with manual transmissions. To other companies in the sector that still operate with manual or automated manual transmissions, we would recommend trying Allison. It is a real step forward, and its advantages are noticeable from day one,” concluded Carlos Martínez.

The value of collaboration with Allison Transmission

“The new 9-Speed fully automatic transmission represents a step forward in comfort, efficiency and reliability. But the real value of our technology is reinforced when we work closely with operators and distributors. Cases such as Lucitur and Somauto are a good example of how Allison helps improve fleet efficiency and profitability, reducing downtime and maintenance costs. And it is not only about the product, but also about the service behind it: our distributor TDMED has been supporting operators like Lucitur for more than 70 years with training, maintenance, spare parts and solutions that maximize vehicle availability and improve the satisfaction of both drivers and passengers,” concluded Trond Johansen, Sales Director for Europe at Allison Transmission.

Watch the video featuring the Otokar Navigo buses operating in Madrid here: https://youtu.be/QcO0L6eNllE