ABC features new coaches, partnerships and future plans at UMA Expo

ABC Companies had two booths on the UMA Expo show floor, showcasing both Van Hool’s latest coaches and vehicles from its partnerships with New Flyer and Ameritrans, as well as unveiling plans for its next vehicle to hit the market.

The newly designed Van Hool TDX double-deck coach offers operators a high-end solution for high-capacity passenger transport. With seating for up to 81 passengers, the new TDX features an enhanced driver compartment, improved front and rear caps, enhanced multi-set with LED lighting and three-point passenger seat belts.

Also on the show floor, ABC showcased New Flyer’s MiDi and Xcelsior transit buses, as well as Ameritrans’ new M2 Vista.

Last year, ABC Companies Inc. signed an agreement with New Flyer Industries Inc. to serve as the exclusive distributor of New Flyer’s MiDi and Xcelsior transit bus models to U.S. private bus and shuttle operators on the show floor at the UMA’s Expo in Los Angeles.

Under the terms of the agreement, ABC markets, sells and provides aftersales service for New Flyer’s MiDi and Xcelsior buses through its established service locations and select independent dealerships.

During a press briefing on the show floor, Roman Cornell, executive VP, ABC Companies, explained the company is offering the vehicles through its sales network to private operators in several markets, including the motorcoach, airport, university/college, hotel/resort, and parking industries.

“We are always looking for new ways to augment business opportunities for fleet operators throughout North America,” Cornell said. “Our enhanced equipment lineup delivers an even wider range of specialty vehicles to support any number of fleet applications. These solutions are from key market leaders, recognized domestically and worldwide for their high-quality equipment engineering, design and product styling.”

The advantage of the agreement for operators is the ability to either purchase or lease the New Flyer vehicles through their trusted sellers that they have established relationships with, Cornell added. He went on to explain that the ability for operators to lease the vehicles, combined with the New Flyers’ re-sale value, will enable ABC to possibly create a fleet of used transit vehicles, built to last 12 to 15 years, that can then be made available to the market.

Finally, ABC announced its intention to rollout a 35-foot version of its popular CX coach by the fourth quarter of 2015.

Louis Hotard, director, technical support, explained that the new CX35 will include many of the standard features as its larger 45 foot counterpart, with the added benefit of lower operating costs because of its smaller and lighter size.

Key features of the new CX35 will include industry-leading interchangeable parts such as windshields, HVAC evaporator and motors, and front and rear bumpers; tight turning radius for increased maneuverability; reduced operational expenses; and manufactured on the same assembly line as the CX45 ensuring greater continuity between the models.