Record-breaking sales of motorcoaches were reported for the fourth quarter of 2006 in an industry survey conducted by Larry Plachno of National Bus Trader. He reported sales of 760 coaches during the quarter, a 20% increase over the previous year and the highest figure since he started keeping records in 1985.

Plachno said some people have suggested that the sales spurt was evidence of “pre-buying activity” — coach operators procuring additional 2006 models in advance of the more expensive 2007 models that are required to have engines meeting tougher emissions standards. He also suggested the possibility that public-sector deliveries were particularly strong in the fourth quarter.

The report included sales figures from MCI, Prevost Car, ABC/Van Hool and Setra. The top-selling models were listed as the MCI J4500, the MCI D4500 and the Prevost H3-45. These three models accounted for 55.7% of the total market.