ABC Companies and partner General Coach America are in the final stages of producing a new addition to their mid-size equipment line. The new model features a rear-engine design and adds a host of expanded features to the hugely popular mid-size coach.

ABC and General Coach hosted an on-site customer focus group at the General Coach plant in Imlay City, Mich., to gauge preliminary interest, field questions and gather input from their customer base.

“Our customers’ response was quite positive,” said Dane Cornell, president and CEO of ABC Companies. “The on-site audit provided an excellent forum to probe customer interests and concerns and to gather frontline input into how best to shape a product that truly adds more value to operations.”

Currently in development, the prototype model offers new construction, body styling and restyled components, as well as the following features:

• 280-cubic-footpass-through baggage bays;

• 20,000-pound rear axle rating;

• ZF independent front suspension with air disc brakes and 60-degree wheel cut;

• Pantograph baggage and engine doors;

• 05G Carrier compressor;

• 295-80R/22.5 Goodyear tires;

• Interchangeable windshields; and

• Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. XBR chassis.

  ABC was targeting the end of July to release the 3035RE prototype with the first production units slated to deliver in late August. Currently, availability is limited to signed reservation agreement and/or signed purchase agreement.

  ABC Companies provides the transportation industry with diverse service and product offerings that cover a full spectrum of operational needs, including new and pre-owned full-size highway coach equipment, mid-size shuttle transport vehicles and advanced design heavy-duty transit buses.