Mercedes-Benz O303

Mercedes-Benz O303
Mercedes-Benz O303
	Mercedes-Benz O303-15 RHD
Overview
Manufacturer	Mercedes-Benz
Production	1974–1992; 1976–1978 (Hyundai, South Korea); 1977–1988 (Tvornica Autobusa Zagreb and 11. oktomvri Skopje, Yugoslavia); 1987–1992 (OTOMARSAN, Turkey)
Body and chassis
Doors	1–2
Floor type	Step entrance
Related	FAP Sanos 315
Powertrain
Engine	Mercedes-Benz OM 401; Mercedes-Benz OM 402; Mercedes-Benz OM 403; Mercedes-Benz OM 422
Transmission	6-speed Manual or 4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Length	O303-9: 8,678 mm (28.5 ft); O303-10: 9,237 mm (30.3 ft); O303-11: 9,993 mm (32.8 ft); O303-12: 10,173 mm (33.4 ft); O303-13: 10,556 mm (34.6 ft); O303-14: 11,293 mm (37.1 ft); O303-15: 12,000 mm (39.4 ft);
Width	2,500 mm (8.2 ft)
Height	RHP/ÜHP/ÜHE or KHP-A/KHP-L: 3,061 mm (10.0 ft); RHH/ÜHH/RHS: 3,161 mm (10.4 ft); RHD: 3,421 mm (11.2 ft);
Chronology
Predecessor	Mercedes-Benz O302
Successor	Mercedes-Benz O404

The Mercedes-Benz O303 is an integral coach manufactured by Mercedes-Benz between 1974 and 1992. It was also available as a chassis, where the customer could choose to get the lower part of the front or even the entire front including the windscreen from the integral model shipped with the chassis.

History

The Mercedes-Benz O303 was launched in 1974 at the Paris Motor Show as a replacement for the O302.^[1] In 1985, the O303 became the first bus to offer anti-lock braking.^[2]

Over 35,000 O303s were built and sold over an eighteen-year period, making it the most produced coach in the world at the time. The O303 was superseded in 1991 by the O404,^[3] however licensed copies were assembled in knock-down kit form by Russian manufacturer Avtrokon at their Golitsyno factory, located on the outskirts of Moscow, from 1993 onwards.^[4]^[5]

Models

Gallery

O303-15 RHP
O303-14 RHD (Facelift)
O303-15 RHD (Facelift)

References

^ Hayes, Martin (13 December 1974). "O 303: Complex coach range from Mercedes". Commercial Motor. Vol. 140, no. 3357. London: IPC Transport Press. pp. 18–20. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
^ "The O 303: modular buses". Daimler Global Media Site. Stuttgart. 30 October 2008. Archived from the original on 13 November 2014. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
^ "Mercedes 0404 out in 1993". Coachmart. No. 650. Peterborough: Emap. 1 August 1991. p. 7. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
^ "Mercedes looks to the East". Coachmart. No. 615. Peterborough: Emap. 22 November 1990. p. 5. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
^ "Mannheim delivers partially assembled buses to Russia". Mercedes-Benz Archive. 8 April 1993. Retrieved 17 August 2025.

External links

Media related to Mercedes-Benz O 303 at Wikimedia Commons

[1] Hayes, Martin (13 December 1974). "O 303: Complex coach range from Mercedes". Commercial Motor. Vol. 140, no. 3357. London: IPC Transport Press. pp. 18–20. Retrieved 13 November 2014.

[2] "The O 303: modular buses". Daimler Global Media Site. Stuttgart. 30 October 2008. Archived from the original on 13 November 2014. Retrieved 13 November 2014.

[3] "Mercedes 0404 out in 1993". Coachmart. No. 650. Peterborough: Emap. 1 August 1991. p. 7. Retrieved 17 August 2025.

[4] "Mercedes looks to the East". Coachmart. No. 615. Peterborough: Emap. 22 November 1990. p. 5. Retrieved 17 August 2025.

[5] "Mannheim delivers partially assembled buses to Russia". Mercedes-Benz Archive. 8 April 1993. Retrieved 17 August 2025.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]