Motorcoach manufacturers are beginning to see growth in sales since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the American Bus Association Foundation’s (ABAF) First Quarter 2023 Motorcoach Builders Survey, which is based on surveys of the major motorcoach manufacturers that sell vehicles in the U.S. and Canada.

Q1 data for 2023 shows the strongest first quarter sales since the first quarter of 2020. Year-over-year data shows a 17% increase in sales over Q1 2022 (352 vs 300 vehicles).

Q1 Motorcoach Growth Led By Private Sector

This quarter the participating manufacturers sold 260 new and 92 pre-owned coaches, for a total of 352 motorcoaches. This compares with 300 during the first quarter 2022.

The increase in sales was led by the private sector buying 130% more vehicles over last year as the private motorcoach industry continues to strengthen post-COVID. The public sector buying fell more than 33% more vehicles year over year.

Overall, the three-month moving average of total coach sales is up by 17% from last year.

“We are finally seeing some sectors in the private motorcoach industry start to recover from the effects of the COVID pandemic,” said Peter Pantuso, president of the ABA Foundation. “As our industry recovers, we see the positive effects on industry suppliers and manufacturers. We have a long road ahead of us until we see pre-2019 numbers again but we are heading in the right direction.”

To view the report, click here.