[1] The model was introduced as the MAN 18.220 in October 1998 as one of the first low-floor buses on the market, with the first examples being delivered to Stagecoach Oxfordshire.

The vast majority were constructed with Alexander ALX300 bodywork for Stagecoach Group, who ordered more than 500 ALX300s in total between 1998 and 2007 as the predominant low-floor single-decker bus in their fleet.

[2][3][1] In addition, a small number of 18.220s were produced for independent operators with Ikarus Polaris and Marcopolo Viale bodywork, primarily in the United Kingdom and in Ireland respectively.

[1] Stagecoach were once again the primary customer for the 18.240LF, ordering more than 300 examples with Enviro300 bodywork;[4] the final vehicle was delivered in March 2010.

[1] A compressed natural gas-powered variant, the MAN 18.270, was introduced in November 2012; this model exclusively featured Caetano EcoCity bodywork.