Based on surveys of the major motorcoach manufacturers that sell vehicles in the U.S. and Canada, motorcoach sales from the participating manufacturers in the first quarter of 2019 were 632 units sold (409 new vehicles and 223 pre-owned vehicles) versus 621 sold in 2018 (430 new and 191 pre-owned), according to the American Bus Association Foundation’s (ABAF) Motorcoach Builder Survey.

“Motorcoach travel remains one of the most eco-friendly, safe, and economical way to travel and we are seeing more and more young professionals taking advantage of the ease of traveling by bus,” said Peter Pantuso, president of the ABA Foundation. “The industry is looking at another positive year to meeting the needs of its customer base and attracting new customers with new buses with more amenities.”

The first quarter sales numbers were dominated once again by companies purchasing large 45-foot motorcoaches. However, the smaller 35-foot to 40-foot motorcoaches saw a 53.3% gain over last year’s sales. While large group travel still takes up the majority of passenger trips, companies are also spending capital meeting the needs of smaller groups who want a more personalized experience.

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