Fri, Jan 16, 2009
Turboprops Are Still Alive And Well, Thank You
With new ownership comes a new record for the company now known
as Daher-Socata. The European planemaker announced this week it
delivered 60 TBM 850 single-engine turboprop business aircraft in
2008, bringing total deliveries for the type to 148 planes.
That figure, which comes less than two years after the type was
introduced, builds on the 323 TBM 700s delivered since 1990. The
majority of the 2008 TBM 850 models were purchased in the US,
though European deliveries increased to 20% of the total order book
for the year.
The company also recorded new sales from Australia, Bulgaria and
Brazil.
"I am proud that a highly symbolic milestone for the TBM program
was reached with another record year deliveries of 60 TBM 850s. It
was supported by the efforts and the commitment of our teams, the
distributors and thanks to the confidence and loyalty of our
customers," said Jean-Michel Léonard, President of Socata
and CEO of Daher-Socata. "This excellent result confirms that our
TBM 850 is the right product at the right time, when a decline of
the turboprop was predicted against Very Light Jets."
"More and more of small and medium bizjet owners are now
considering the Very Fast Turboprop TBM 850 as the right
alternative to a very light jet -- or other jet-powered aircraft --
which are more expensive to operate," added Nicolas Chabbert,
vice-president Sales & Marketing of Socata. "The current
economic conditions will create some opportunities for the TBM 850,
which has an excellent quality-price ratio and very low operating
costs."
Daher is a European integrated equipment and services supplier,
which reached final agreement to purchase Socata from EADS in
November 2008. In addition to aerospace, Daher specializes in three
other sectors: nuclear, defense and industries.
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