Motor Coach Industries (MCI), a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc., is highlighting enhancements to its market-leading J4500 motorcoach at this year’s United Motorcoach Association Motorcoach EXPO (UMA EXPO). 

The MCI engineering team has incorporated more than 20 quality upgrades and new features to the J4500 to improve coach performance, increase uptime, and reduce operating costs. 

Additional J4500 Upgrades

In addition to the product changes and extensive testing required for the new FMVSS 227 rollover safety standard, MCI has incorporated the following enhancements, among many others, into its model year 2026 J4500 coach:

• Improved the front junction box door to better protect electronic components.

• Modernized rear junction box to better protect against corrosion.

• Completed a holistic review of all hoses and clamping systems to maximize longevity.

• Relocated tag axle unload valve to better protect against corrosion.

• Redesigned exterior lighting and sealing gaskets to prevent water leaks.

Improved Manufacturing

Additionally, MCI has invested heavily in its manufacturing operations — radically redesigning and expanding its production lines to increase capacity and efficiency. 

The company now builds all J- and D-Series models on a common vehicle architecture for ease of maintenance, parts, and operation. 

“We truly believe that being reliability driven requires placing product quality at the center of our focus,” said Brent Maitland, VP, private market sales and marketing, at MCI. “We mine our data and listen intently to our customers to make sure we are bringing product improvements that have the highest impact in terms quality, reliability, and the user experience. Our customers place their trust in us to build a reliable coach, and I’m confident that our recent improvements are reflective of that effort.”

“Team MCI” and EXPO

In addition to the coach enhancements, “Team MCI” is another pillar of the company’s promise to customers. 

MCI has recently expanded its customer support operations, adding new technical support specialists to its in-field and hotline support teams to resolve customer issues more quickly. MCI service centers have expanded their hours of operation in Dallas and added mobile service vehicles to support the Nashville and San Francisco markets. 

Meanwhile, NFI Parts, which provides replacement parts for all MCI vehicles and others, has increased its inventory to better serve west coast markets, added new products, and is offering more competitive pricing on competitor coach parts. 

Additionally, the MCI Training Academy has added more than 150 online courses to its programs. And MCI offers a wider range of pre-owned coaches with an enhanced inspection process. 

“Buying a coach from MCI is not just about the vehicle but also the support, training, and service that comes with it,” added Maitland. “These are critical elements to maximizing coach uptime and achieving a lower total cost of ownership.”

MCI will host a customer appreciation event at its UMA EXPO booth #101 on February 22, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. The company is also supporting the UMA EXPO welcome event and maintenance and driver competitions and will present the UMA Environmental Leadership Award, which it sponsors, during the Saturday evening awards gala.