MCI celebrates 80 years, top selling coach

MCI announced the J4500 once again topped the National Bus Trader sales survey for the fourth quarter of 2012, which means MCI can claim the industry’s best-selling coach for nine years straight. The D4500 and D4505 were right there too, coming in at numbers three and five, respectively.

The company is marking its 80th year in 2013, and like many big birthdays, it’s been a time of self-evaluation, and of making bigger plans for the future.

As MCI marks its milestone anniversary, it is rededicating itself to building the most reliable coaches in North America. The slogan “MCI-Reliability Driven” reflects the company’s promise to design, build and deliver expertly engineered coaches with top-quality components, the latest safety and security features and unsurpassed parts availability and service.

There’s a new corporate culture at MCI as Business Excellence management teams are implementing Quality-At-Source practices at the company’s multi-facility ISO 9001:2008 certification plants to consistently turn out world-class products and marketplace innovations.

“We are working every day to make this company better,” said MCI President/CEO Rich Heller. “We have a well-trained workforce dedicated to meeting and surpassing the needs of our customers on a daily basis.”

Already the leading builder of intercity coaches in the U.S. and Canada, MCI announced the completion of its acquisition of Setra’s U.S. and Canadian operations and established a strategic partnership with Daimler Buses on July 2, 2012.

These important moves gave MCI responsibility for sales and service support of Setra S 417 and Setra S 407 motor coach models and Setra pre-owned coach inventory; the distribution of Setra and related genuine Daimler Buses parts; and operation of Setra’s Orlando-based service center. Daimler also acquired a minority ownership position in MCI, forming an engineering, technology and manufacturing alliance as part of the transaction.

Customers have made the MCI J4500 a bestseller for eight years running, and now MCI is giving operators new reasons to add the 2013 J4500 to fleets — including some eye-catching style changes. Working with BMW Group Designworks USA — the team that gave the market-leading J4500 its unprecedented curb appeal — MCI will continue to refine the look and feel of its luxury coaches inside and out in 2013 and beyond.

MCI continues to be a leader in the market in important safety and performance features. MCI was the first manufacturer to offer optional three-point passenger seatbelts, and all its models now feature Electronic Stability Control, SmartWave tire-pressure monitoring and a fire suppression system as standard features.

The economy and environment are redefining the way people travel. That’s good for the motorcoach industry, and it’s especially good for MCI. Today’s private and municipal transportation systems are looking to coach transport as the most flexible, affordable and greenest option for passengers who want to make the most of their money and time. That’s why MCI is investing in the latest onboard amenities that turn riders into lifetime customers: Wi-Fi, power outlets and flat-screen monitors to keep riders engaged, entertained and productive.

And that goes for everyone. First in the market to offer an optional wheelchair lift, MCI remains dedicated to make accessibility possible for all.