London's red double-decker buses to be exported to Mexico

London’s red double-decker buses are to be exported to Mexico City after a British firm secured a multimillion pound deal.

Bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis has secured a £44 million finance deal to sell double-deckers that will reduce congestion and pollution on the Paseo de la Reforma, the city’s answer to The Mall.

About 2,000 jobs across the UK, including 320 at the bus manufacturer site in Guildford and 1,000 in Falkirk will be created by the deal.

Colin Robertson, chief executive of Alexander Dennis, said: "It is hugely exciting to know that ADL's signature red double-decker buses will soon be transporting Mexico City's residents in style and comfort.

"As a global double-decker leader with fleets of our vehicles across the world, we see the positive impact these vehicles can have in improving the transport infrastructure, congestion and air quality in the world's busiest cities.”

Prime Minister Theresa May was visiting the Surrey manufacturers on Wednesday to celebrate the deal which she said demonstrates the UK is a “world-leading trading nation”.

She said a £1.7 billion package of taxpayer-funded support has helped 137 firms expand and win overseas contracts over the past year as the Government builds a "truly global Britain”.

The money awarded by UK Export Finance (UKEF) since it became part of the Department for International Trade has helped businesses make the most of opportunities outside of the European Union, according to the Government.

Mrs May said: "From exporting iconic red double-decker buses to Mexico, cutting-edge MRI systems to Australia or rail equipment to Bangkok, each one is an example of a great British success story and shows the UK is leading the way as a great, global trading nation."

Bike firm Norton Motorcycle, which sells to Australia, North America, Japan and Europe, was backed with working capital support to finance its exports under the scheme while Guildford-based firm, MR Solutions, secured a £1.2 million contract to sell MRI scanners to Sydney University after UKEF provided guarantees for the deal.

Finance support was given to Hampshire engineering company Design and Projects to export rail equipment to Bangkok and nearly £1 million in backing went to a London furniture company Distinction to secure finance for work at the Palm Jumeirah hotel in Dubai.