METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Vicinity Motor Corp. Names New President

As president, Brent Phillips will lead the sales, assembly, procurement, and engineering teams, while also clearly setting the direction and expansion of the company's sales and operations programs.

A Vicinity bus

The company expects to execute a plan to bring production of the Vicinity Lightning electric bus to Ferndale, Wash.

Photo: Vicinity/METRO

2 min to read


Vicinity Motor Corp., supplier of mid-size buses and fully electric Class 3 work trucks, named Brent Phillips president.

As president, Phillips will lead the sales, assembly, procurement, and engineering teams, while also clearly setting the direction and expansion of the company's sales and operations programs. To this end, the company has commenced a strategic plan that, among other initiatives, will concentrate efforts on:

Ad Loading...
  • Executing the plan to bring production of the Vicinity Lightning electric bus to Ferndale, Wash.

  • Enhancing the company's existing VMC 1200 Dealer network across Canada to ensure fleets have access to Canada's only purpose built, fully-electric work truck, and that dealers have the appropriate support for vehicle sales and service.

  • Initiating the launch strategy for a network of VMC 1200 Dealers across the U.S.

Phillips Bringing Experience to Vicinity

Phillips brings more than 30 years of experience in the commercial transportation field, including previous leadership roles in distribution and manufacturing including operations, sales, and marketing.

Prior to joining Vicinity in 2021, Phillips served as GM at Alliance Bus Group. Before Alliance, Phillips was VP, sales, commercial bus group at REV Group, where he was responsible for multiple brands and distribution channels with two manufacturing facilities producing over 3,000 custom units per year.

"I am honored to be asked by William Trainer to lead the next phase of growth at Vicinity Motor Corp.,” said Phillips. “Will has built an incredibly nimble organization with a long history as a trusted supplier and partner to transit agencies across North America. I will help continue this legacy while driving profitable revenue growth across both our transit bus and EV business units.”

More Management

A blue and white graphic with text reading "New Bill to Strengthen America's Transit Workforce."
Managementby News/Media ReleaseApril 22, 2026

New Bill Aims to Strengthen America’s Transit Workforce

Legislation would expand funding for training, apprenticeships, and workforce development as agencies face staffing shortages and evolving technology demands.

Read More →
Nashville SC mascot poses in front of a purple WeGo Transit bus.
Managementby Elora HaynesApril 22, 2026

Transit Takes Sports Fans Where They Want To Go

In this photo gallery, see how transit agencies and sports teams collaborate to move fans efficiently and enhance the game day experience.

Read More →
An Amtrak Acela train at New York Penn Station
Managementby StaffApril 21, 2026

USDOT Announces $6.7B for Northeast Corridor, Nationwide Rail Upgrades

Under Secretary Duffy, the grant program’s revamped criteria will prioritize safety; the American family; and workforce development, job quality, and wealth creation, according to a press release.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A group of people pose for a picture outside.
Managementby Staff and News ReportsApril 20, 2026

WeGo Journey Pass Enrollment Reached 10,000 in April

Nashville’s fare-free, income-based transit pilot hits a major milestone, expanding access and reshaping daily mobility for thousands of riders.

Read More →
A photo of a San Antonio VIA Metropolitan Transit zero-emission bus.
Busby Staff and News ReportsApril 20, 2026

Recovery and Risk Define the Transit Bus Market in 2025

A 5% rise in deliveries and a surge in zero-emission buses signaled progress in 2025, but high costs, long lead times, and shifting funding priorities continue to cloud the outlook.

Read More →
People Movement for April, 17, 2026
Managementby StaffApril 17, 2026

People Movement: New NTSB Vice Chair, HDR, and More

METRO’s People Movement highlights the latest leadership changes, promotions, and personnel news across the public transit, motorcoach, and people mobility sectors.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A picture of a San Diego MTS railcar and bus at a transit station.
Managementby StaffApril 17, 2026

San Diego Transit Agencies Propose Fare Hike to Close Budget Gaps

The agencies, San Diego MTS and NCTD - San Diego Railroad, which share a fare system (PRONTO), proposed the changes to help address their respective financial sustainability strategies.

Read More →
A light green and blue MST public transit bus parked on grass.
Managementby Elora HaynesApril 17, 2026

Inside Monterey-Salinas Transit’s New Approach to Ridership Recovery

See how the agency is aligning service with shifting travel patterns, delivering ridership gains while advancing equity across its system.

Read More →
A headshot of Inez Evans Benson
Busby Alex RomanApril 15, 2026

Inez Evans Benson on Rethinking Transit Through Customer Experience

The WSP leader discusses why agencies must look beyond satisfaction metrics and take a more holistic, community-driven approach to service.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
NJ TRANSIT's new Multilevel III commuter railcar manufactured by Alstom
Technologyby StaffApril 14, 2026

Alstom Delivers First Multilevel III NJ TRANSIT Commuter Railcar

The delivery marks the first car in a 374‑vehicle order and begins the arrival of a new generation of higher‑capacity, more reliable, and more comfortable trains for one of the country’s busiest commuter rail systems.

Read More →