Motorcoach sales declined 4.1% year over year in the third quarter of 2026, as a sharp drop in pre-owned vehicle sales offset modest gains in new motorcoach purchases, according to the latest Motorcoach Builders Survey released by the American Bus Association (ABA).

The quarterly survey, conducted by the American Bus Association Foundation, collects sales data from major motorcoach manufacturers serving the U.S. and Canadian markets.

Participating manufacturers reported sales of 466 new and 72 pre-owned motorcoaches during the quarter, totaling 538 units compared with 561 during the same period in 2025.

New motorcoach sales rose 1.7% year over year, while pre-owned sales fell 30.1%. Sales to private entities declined 4.9%, while purchases by public entities increased 28.9%.

Despite the modest improvement in new vehicle sales, total motorcoach sales remained 31.2% below pre-pandemic 2019 levels.

Private Operators Continue to Face Challenges

The third-quarter results reflect a shift from the first half of 2026, when demand for pre-owned motorcoaches and public-sector purchases helped support the market, the ABA said.

While new motorcoach sales edged above year-ago levels in the third quarter, private operators recorded their third consecutive quarter of declining purchases, although the rate of decline slowed.

“New motorcoach purchases by private operators are down nearly 18 percent through the first nine months of 2026, while pre-owned motorcoach sales have increased nearly eight percent,” said Fred Ferguson, ABA president and CEO. “That contrast raises important questions about the affordability of new equipment and the financial pressures facing private operators.”

The findings highlight ongoing concerns about fleet replacement costs and private motorcoach operators' ability to invest in new equipment.

“Motorcoach operators are facing rising costs across their businesses, from insurance and fuel to tariffs and equipment prices,” Ferguson said. “Those costs affect their ability to invest in new vehicles, replace aging fleets, and grow their businesses.”

Ferguson added that ABA remains focused on reducing unnecessary costs and regulatory burdens that make it more difficult for private operators to invest in their businesses.

The Motorcoach Builders Survey is conducted quarterly to track new and pre-owned motorcoach sales trends across North America.