The largest group of sales was the 30- to 40-foot coaches, which saw a 60% increase over the same period — 64 versus 40. MCI

Based on the American Bus Association Foundation’s (ABAF) 2019 Motorcoach Builder Survey of the major motorcoach manufacturers that sell vehicles in the U.S. and Canada, motorcoach sales from the participating manufacturers saw a modest 0.1% increase over the same quarter in 2018.

In the fourth quarter of 2019 1,022 units were sold versus 1,021 in 2018 — 671 units were new coaches in 2019 versus 677 new coaches in 2018. The largest group of sales was the 30- to 40-foot coaches, which saw a 60% increase over the same period — 64 versus 40.

Pre-owned sales over the same period grew by 2% with 351 units sold in 2019 versus 344 units in 2018.

“As we have been predicting for a few years now, smaller more intimate trips are what travelers want and that is highlighted in the growth in the 30- to 40-foot coach market,” said Peter Pantuso, president of the ABA Foundation. “Year-over-year in total sales this coach size has grown by more than 50 percent. Passengers are looking to take more personalized trips with their families and friends.”

In year-over-year sales from 2018 to 2019, in addition to the growth of the 30- to under 40-foot size market for 2019 with 184 new units sold, the 45-foot size market, manufacturers sold 1,930 new units, and in the 40- to under 45-foot size, 29 new units were sold. The pre-owned market saw nearly 6% growth over 2018 with 1,059 units sold in 2019, to total 3,202 units.

“As more people see the value and convenience of traveling by motorcoach, these sales will continue to be healthy in the years to come,” said Pantuso. “The motorcoach group tour and travel sector is seeing a renaissance as more people want to travel with less hassle and in a more environmentally friendly manner and we provide both.”

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