Based on surveys of the major motorcoach manufacturers that sell vehicles in the U.S. and Canada, motorcoach sales from the participating manufacturers saw a massive decrease in sales from the second quarter in 2019: falling from 766 units in 2019 to 129 units (59 new coaches and 70 pre-owned coaches) in 2020, according to the American Bus Association Foundation’s Motorcoach Builder Survey.

Overall, there was an 83% decrease in sales year over year, however, new sales of coaches 40 to <45 feet saw an increase of 75% over last year’s sales. Pre-owned coach sales were down 150 vehicles and new new coach sales were down 294 units, combining for a total 444 less units sold in the second quarter compared to the first quarter of 2020. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has decimated every corner of the motorcoach industry,” said Peter Pantuso, president of the ABA Foundation. “When the industry’s 3,000 motorcoach businesses are shuttered because no one is traveling or allowed to travel, businesses can’t buy buses. The pandemic is having a ripple effect for the entire industry: if buses are sitting idle the suppliers in the industry are going to feel the brunt with companies not buying new buses, which means upholstery, parts, tires, etc., are all going to be hurting.”

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