Based on the evidence gathered, the claim that "overseas manufacturers are winning more bus orders" is strongly supported by multiple independent sources. **Key evidence:** 1. **Alexander Dennis's own statement (March 2026)**: The UK's largest bus manufacturer stated that "the UK domestic bus manufacturing sector has lost significant market share in 2025, with 51% of all zero-emission buses purchased in the UK sourced from overseas manufacturers – an increase of 25 percentage points from 2024." This means overseas manufacturers' share of ZEB orders roughly doubled in a single year (from ~26% to 51%). 2. **ScotZEB3 programme**: Of 334 zero-emission buses funded through the Scottish Government's £45 million ScotZEB3 fund, ADL secured only 123 buses (36.8%), while Chinese manufacturer Yutong received 166 buses (just under half). The majority of funded orders went overseas. 3. **ZEBRA scheme**: The UK Government's initial ZEBRA scheme committed to 4,000 British-built buses but delivered only 2,270, of which approximately 46% were built abroad. 4. **SMMT registration data (Q1 2026)**: UK-based manufacturers Alexander Dennis (11.0% market share) and Wrightbus (17.9%) together account for roughly 28.9% of registrations, while overseas manufacturers hold the remaining ~71%. Chinese manufacturers BYD and Yutong together hold 16.4%, with BYD growing 160% year-on-year. 5. **Parliamentary debate (same debate as the speech)**: John Milne MP noted that only 17% of buses operating in the UK are manufactured domestically, with 83% imported. Stainbank himself noted that in 2025, 694 more zero-emission buses were registered (38% increase), yet 167 fewer buses were built in the UK. 6. **Multiple news outlets** (BBC, Herald, Scotsman, Independent, Bus-News) all confirm the trend of domestic manufacturers losing ground to foreign competitors, particularly Chinese firms like BYD and Yutong. The evidence is consistent and from authoritative sources (SMMT official data, manufacturer statements, government programme results). The core assertion is accurate and no important qualification is missing. Sources: - SMMT UK Bus and Coach Industry Registrations Data — https://www.smmt.co.uk/vehicle-data/bus-and-coach-registrations/ - Alexander Dennis official statement on Scottish manufacturing strategy (31 March 2026) — https://www.alexander-dennis.com/alexander-dennis-proposes-new-scottish-manufacturing-strategy-in-response-to-changing-market-demand/ - BBC News, "Alexander Dennis plans to close Falkirk site with loss of 115 jobs" — https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg54v6y1en9o - The Herald, "Ministers snub Alexander Dennis 'lifeline' plan & hand boost to China" — https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/25994471.ministers-snub-alexander-dennis-lifeline-plan-hand-boost-china/ - Sustainable Bus, "UK Parliament debate on local bus manufacturing challenges" — https://www.sustainable-bus.com/news/bus-manufacturing-uk-zero-emission-chinese/ - Bus-News, "Public Money, Foreign Buses: The Quiet Crisis in UK Bus Manufacturing" — https://bus-news.com/public-money-foreign-buses-the-quiet-crisis-in-uk-bus-manufacturing/ - SMMT, "Strongest new bus and coach market since 2008 as zero emission uptake surges" — https://www.smmt.co.uk/strongest-new-bus-and-coach-market-since-2008-as-zero-emission-uptake-surges/ - The Scotsman, "Alexander Dennis to shut Falkirk site and put 115 jobs at risk" — https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/alexander-dennis-to-shut-falkirk-site-and-put-115-jobs-at-risk-despite-scottish-government-help-6530155