By Rick Mullen,
Busline Magazine Associate Editor

The following import/export categories include motor buses, coaches, trolley buses and gyrobuses.

The U.S. Department of Commerce, Economics and Statistics Administration, U.S. Census Bureau trade figures for October 2020 indicated vehicle imports were down in five categories outlined, compared to October 2019. For the first 10 months of 2020, vehicles imports were down in seven categories, compared to the first 10 months of 2019.

The United States imported 177 vehicles in October 2020, down 43 percent from 308 vehicles for October 2019. For the first 10 months of 2020, the United States imported 1,290 vehicles, down 45 percent from 2,334 vehicles for the first 10 months of 2019.

Canada sent 980 vehicles to the United States during the first 10 months of 2020, while Mexico shipped 156 vehicles.

The average price per vehicle for October 2020 was $283,515.52, down 3 percent from $292,991.59 for October 2019. The average price per vehicle for the first 10 months of 2020 was $285,127.59, down 10 percent from $316,221.96 for the first 10 months of 2019.

8702106100 Public-Transport Passenger Vehicles For Transport Of 10 Or More Persons With Only Comp-Ign Internal Combustion Piston Engine (Diesel Or Semi-Diesel), Other

The United States received 11 vehicles in October 2020, down 76 percent from 45 vehicles for October 2019. For the first 10 months of 2020, the United States imported 142 vehicles, compared to 1,233 vehicles for the first 10 months of 2019.

The United States imported 114 vehicles from Germany during the first 10 months of 2020.

The average price per vehicle in October 2020 was $104,220.09, up 86 percent from $56,070.98 for October 2019. The average price per vehicle for the first 10 months of 2020 was $70,716.87, up 65 percent from $42,762.50 for the first 10 months of 2019.

The United States imported 24 vehicles in this category during October 2020, up 4 percent from 23 for October 2019. During the first 10 months of 2020, 195 vehicles were imported, down 11 percent from 219 vehicles for the first 10 months of 2019.

All the vehicles were imported from Canada, during the first 10 months of 2020.

The average price per vehicle for October 2020 was $280,109.63, up 25 percent from $224,308.91 for October 2019. The average price for the first 10 months of 2020 was $249,284.76, up 9 percent from $229,392.82 for the first 10 months of 2019.

The United States imported no vehicles in this category during October 2020 or October 2019. Six vehicles were imported during the first 10 months of 2020, compared to two vehicles for the first 10 months of 2019.

Canada sent three vehicles, while Italy exported two vehicles and Mexico one vehicle during the first 10 months of 2020.

The average price per vehicle for the first 10 months of 2020 was $113,206.50, compared to $15,200 for the first 10 months of 2019.

The United States imported no vehicles in this category during October 2020, compared to one vehicle for October 2019, at a price of $27,485. Four vehicles were imported during the first 10 months of 2020, compared to one vehicle for the first 10 months of 2019.

The United Kingdom shipped three vehicles to the United States during the first 10 months of 2020.

The average price for the first 10 months of 2020 was $6,921.75, down 75 percent from $27,485 for the first 10 months of 2019.

The United States imported 17 vehicles during October 2020, up 113 percent from eight vehicles for October 2019. During the first 10 months of 2020, 129 vehicles were received, down 69 percent from 422 vehicles for the first 10 months of 2019.

Canada shipped 63 vehicles during the first 10 months of 2020, while China sent 55 vehicles.

The average price per vehicle for October 2020 was $384,856.94, down 17 percent from $460,935.38 for October 2019. The average price for the first 10 months of 2020 was $213,973.15, up 68 percent from $127,169.53 for the first 10 months of 2019.

The United States imported four vehicles during October 2020, up 100 percent from two vehicles for October 2019. During the first 10 months of 2020, 74 vehicles were imported, down 31 percent from 108 vehicles for the first 10 months of 2019.

China sent all of the vehicles during the first 10 months of 2020.

The average price per vehicle for October 2020 was $7,115.25, down 21 percent from $8,986.50 for October 2019. The average price per vehicle for the first 10 months of 2020 was $9,372.03, up 13 percent from $8,272.57 for the first 10 months of 2019.

The United States imported 81 vehicles during October 2020, down 1 percent from 82 vehicles for October 2019. During the first 10 months of 2020, 1,136 vehicles were received, down 15 percent from 1,329 vehicles for the first 10 months of 2019.

Canada sent 1,130 vehicles to the United States during the first 10 months of 2020.

The average price per vehicle for October 2020 was $91,143.48, up 5 percent from $86,815.94 for October 2019. The average price per vehicle for the first 10 months of 2020 was $89,218.48, up 14 percent from $78,393.25 for the first 10 months of 2019.

The United States imported 93 vehicles during October 2020, down 45 percent from 168 vehicles for October 2019. During the first 10 months of 2020, 620 vehicles were received, down 50 percent from 1,237 vehicles for the first 10 months of 2019.

Canada sent 470 vehicles to the United States during the first 10 months of 2020, while Germany exported 105 vehicles.

The average price per vehicle for October 2020 was $43,918.40, down 11 percent from $49,379.25 for October 2019. The average price per vehicle for the first 10 months of 2020 was $43,862.30, up 1 percent from $43,520.12 for the first 10 months of 2019.

EXPORTS

Export totals for October 2020 were up in all categories, compared to October 2019. For the first 10 months of 2020, two categories also reported increases, compared to the first 10 months of 2019.

The United States exported 682 vehicles during October 2020, up 15 percent from 592 vehicles exported in October 2019. During the first 10 months of 2020, 6,012 vehicles were sent, down 8 percent from 6,522 vehicles for the first 10 months of 2019.

Canada received 3,511 vehicles during the first 10 months of 2020, while Mexico imported 1,778 vehicles.

The average price per vehicle for October 2020 was $56,174.66, down 1 percent from $56,741.56 for October 2019. The average price per vehicle for the first 10 months of 2020 was $70,284.35, up 3 percent from $67,961.30 for the first 10 months of 2019.

8702200000 Public-Transport Vehicles With Both Compression-Ignition Internal Combustion Piston Engine (Diesel Or Semi-Diesel) & Electric Motor

The United States shipped 93 vehicles in October 2020, up 232 percent from 28 vehicles for October 2019. During the first 10 months of 2020, 339 vehicles were exported, compared to 2,219 vehicles for the first 10 months of 2019.

Canada received 163 vehicles during the first 10 months of 2020.

The average price per vehicle for October 2020 was $53,887.87, compared to $5,905.61 for October 2019. The average price for the first 10 months of 2020 was $42,142.39, up 51 percent from $27,884.60 for the first 10 months of 2019.

The United States exported 24 vehicles in October 2020, up 200 percent from eight vehicles for October 2019. During the first 10 months of 2020, 384 vehicles were sent, up 50 percent from 256 vehicles for the first 10 months of 2019.

Mexico received 244 vehicles during the first 10 months of 2020.

The average price per vehicle for October 2020 was $20,067.38, down 31 percent from $28,977.88 for October 2019. The average price for the first 10 months of 2020 was $ 29,617.48, down 10 percent from $32,845.84 for the first 10 months of 2019.

8702400000 Public-Transport Type Passenger Motor Vehicles With Only Electric Motor For Propulsion

The United States shipped 463 vehicles in October 2020, compared to three vehicles for October 2019. During the first 10 months of 2020, 1,860 vehicles were exported, compared to 746 vehicles for the first 10 months of 2019.

Canada received 1,823 vehicles during the first 10 months of 2020.

The average price per vehicle for October 2020 was $36,141.38, down 17 percent from $43,690 for October 2019. The average price per vehicle for the first 10 months of 2020 was $38,444.11, up 29 percent from $29,843.86 for the first 10 months of 2019.

Click on statistics to open .pdf file

Irizar Incorporates Natural Gas In Range Of Technologies

“As a result of its effort to offer innovative and sustainable solutions to the different future mobility needs, the Irizar Group is incorporating Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) into its range of technologies.

“Accordingly, it is widening its range of efficient and sustainable products and technological solutions in operational terms, and is becoming the brand that includes all the technologies currently on the market — from integrated and conventional coaches with Euro6D diesel, HVO, B100 combustion engine and natural gas or biogas to buses and 100 percent electric vehicles, including coaches with parallel hybrid technology in its class I and class II models for urban and interurban services,” according to Irizar.

The press release stated that the environmental benefits offered by coaches with this technology reduce CO2 emissions by between 20 and 25 percent, NOx by up to 60 percent and emissions of particulate matter by over 98 percent. In addition to higher thermal performance than diesel, vibrations and noise emissions are also minimized by between 4-5 dB. In relation to operating cost, it is estimated that the reduction may be as high as 35 percent, depending on the differential between the cost of gas and diesel. The maintenance cost remains similar to that of a conventional diesel vehicle.

“The vehicles have a range of up to 500 km in the CNG version and twice as long in the LNG technology.

“The range of gas vehicles includes the Irizar i4 and Irizar i3le models, from 12 to 15 metres in CNG version, and Irizar i4, Irizar i6 and Irizar i6S from 12 to 15 metres in the LNG version, all on Scania chassis. The first vehicle equipped with this technology is the Irizar i4 class II model, a versatile and ideal coach for metropolitan, commuter, school transport or business coach. This is an Irizar i4 version H, 12.920m long vehicle on a Scania K320 EB 4X2 E6D CNG chassis. Its unmistakable attributes include versatility and complement the range of current propulsion technologies available in integral or conventional vehicles on chassis.”

The press release continued, “With a total weight of about 750 kg, it incorporates 4 longitudinal type IV CNG cylindrical tanks, with a total volume of 1260 dm3 and an approximate gas capacity of 240 kg. However, depending on the needs of the operator, it can be fitted with an additional tank to increase range. It is also fitted with a filling panel with two gas outlets and a pressure gauge. The integration of the storage tanks preserves the aesthetics and aerodynamics of the vehicle and means it can perform the same type of service as a similar diesel vehicle with optimum road holding and maximum safety.

“The vehicles are equipped with the same air conditioning system as diesel vehicles. The height of the interior ceiling, the interior luggage racks and the luggage compartment capacity are the same as the diesel version.

“The driver has a gas control screen to comply with all safety protocols. This is used to detect leaks and monitor the start-up of the water additive aerosol fire extinguishing system.

“These vehicles comply with Regulation R66.02, even with 700 kg of extra weight on the roof and with the thermal safety and mechanical safety protocols, in accordance with Regulation 110.”

The new generation of the i4 model was presented in October 2019, at the international Busworld fair.

Irizar now has orders for these coaches in its portfolio.

For more information, visit irizar.com.

AVTA Passes 4 Million Miles Of Service Milestone With Its BYD Buses

Recently, Antelope Valley Transit Authority’s (AVTA) electric buses rolled through a significant milestone as the nation’s first all-electric fixed-route bus fleet. On Friday, December 11, 2020, the agency’s zero-emission buses currently deployed in service, crossed the 4 million mile mark.

AVTA’s zero-emission buses collectively accumulated 4 million service miles moving residents of the Antelope Valley around Lancaster, Palmdale, and the unincorporated portions of northern Los Angeles County such as Pearblossom, Littlerock, and Lake Los Angeles.

AVTA Chairman of the Board Marvin Crist highlighted some of the benefits to the community and beyond, that are a result of the electrification of AVTA’s fleet.

“In those 4 million electric miles, approximately 1,025,641 gallons of diesel fuel have been saved,” said Crist. “This equates to a net savings of $1,283,449 in fuel costs after paying for electricity. Even more impressive, those 4 million all-electric miles represent a carbon footprint reduction of more than 24.3 million pounds of CO2 and 58,125 pounds of particulate matter."

“Since February 2016, when the AVTA board of directors voted to award a contract to BYD to manufacture electric buses over a five-year period at BYD’s facility in Lancaster, CA, AVTA has been on the path to pioneering battery electric bus transportation. The project, which is nearing completion, has created a smarter, greener, and more interconnected transit system serving the Antelope Valley and areas extending south into the Los Angeles basin and north to Edwards Air Force Base and the Mojave Air and Space Port. By combining groundbreaking electric bus technology with wireless inductive charging technology, AVTA’s bus project is the first of its kind in the nation,” according to a press release.

“AVTA operates 65 vehicles in our local fixed-route fleet, all of which are zero-emission,” said Crist. “The non-electric buses are for commuter service only, and their all-electric counterparts will start arriving in June 2021, assuring the transition of our commuter fleet to all electric by next December. The majority of AVTA’s electric fleet consists of BYD electric buses, manufactured right here in the Antelope Valley. Our goal from the start was to be the first transit agency to implement electric bus technology on a broad scale, and we have met that goal.”

Gareth Joyce Named President Of Proterra Powered And Energy Units

“As president of Proterra Powered and Energy, Joyce will lead Proterra’s growing business as a provider of its electric vehicle technology to commercial manufacturers and charging infrastructure solutions for heavy-duty electric fleets. He will report directly to Proterra’s CEO, Jack Allen, “ according to a Proterra press release.

“Proterra is thrilled to welcome Gareth to our team. This is an exciting time for Proterra Powered and Energy as vehicle manufacturers and fleet operators choose Proterra to power their commercial vehicles. Under Gareth’s leadership, we look forward to accelerating our work to deliver clean, quiet transportation to more communities.”

Joyce said, “Proterra is on the leading edge of the technologies that will address our environmental sustainability challenges and climate change by helping businesses and fleet operators electrify their commercial vehicles. I’m excited to join the Proterra team as we work to deliver even greater impact for our customers and the environment.”

Joyce brings 20 years of experience in the automotive and airline industries. Most recently, he served as Delta Air Lines’s first chief sustainability officer, where he was responsible for overseeing Delta’s efforts toward becoming carbon neutral and a responsible steward of the environment. Prior to joining Delta, he held a variety of senior leadership positions with Mercedes-Benz throughout South Africa, Europe and North America – having served as vice president of customer service for Mercedes-Benz North America, and finally, as the president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada.

“To date, Proterra Powered has helped OEMs such as Thomas Built Buses, Van Hool, Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC), Bustech, and Optimal-EV introduce 100 percent battery-electric vehicles that are powered by Proterra electric vehicle technology.”

Labor And Community Groups Sign Community Benefits Agreement With Proterra

Jobs to Move America’s community-labor coalition in California, along with Proterra and the United Steelworkers Local 675 (USW 675), announced the groups have entered into a community benefits agreement (CBA) in Los Angeles County.

The CBA will lead to transformative investments in Los Angeles communities to train, support, and hire workers for skilled union jobs in zero-emissions bus manufacturing at Proterra’s City of Industry facility.

Under the legally enforceable agreement, Proterra commits to a goal of 50 percent of new hires to be from communities facing significant barriers to employment, including people of color, veterans, and returning citizens.

“To tackle the converging crises of our time — skyrocketing unemployment, systemic racism, and climate change — we need to invest in the communities hardest hit by the pandemic. Our community benefits agreement with Proterra and USW 675 will lay the foundation for a just recovery in Los Angeles by creating pathways into high paying, unionized jobs for working families and communities of color. At a time when the entire country desperately needs a recovery plan, our CBA with Proterra is a model for how community, labor, and private partners can work together to create good jobs and healthy communities,” said Melanie Jamileh Prasad, JMA’s California director.

The CBA includes commitments to:

• Allow for the creation of worker-led groups, such as the Latinx Group and Veterans Groups. JMA, USW 675, and Proterra will be able to jointly review feedback from the groups to identify resources for ongoing worker-identified needs;

• Develop a pre-hire training program. This objective was realized earlier this year with the launch of a first-of-its-kind Electric Bus Manufacturing technology training program at Proterra;

• Develop an apprenticeship program;

• Expand Proterra’s Spanish-English language capacity beginning with the translation of key documents to ensure ESL workers are set up for success; and,

• Allow JMA coalition partners to provide ongoing supportive services, such as case management, for workers with employee approval.

For additional information, visit proterra.com.

CCW Receives Award To Supply And Rehab 5 Buses For Yamhill County Transit

Complete Coach Works (CCW) was recently awarded a contract from Yamhill County Transit (OR) to supply three, 30-foot and two, 35-foot remanufactured Gillig buses.

“In the height of the COVID-19 pandemic essential businesses, including public transit agencies, implemented safety and caution procedures for their employees and riders. Yamhill Transit is among the many agencies to require face coverings, include hand sanitizer stations, and enforce physical distancing of at least six feet."

In order to promote social distancing, Yamhill Transit will add five remanufactured buses to its fleet. The buses will service its local routes in McMinnville and Newberg, OR.

“Adding rehabbed buses to Yamhill’s fleet will not only minimize overcrowding, but will provide Yamhill a large savings over acquiring new buses,” said Jim Paul, regional sales manager at CCW. "Purchasing rehabbed buses is the most cost-effective and efficient way to provide safe and reliable transportation to its riders.”

This rehab project will take place at CCW’s headquarters in Riverside, CA. The rehabilitation will include replacement of the original engines with Recon Cummins ISL engines. In addition, the buses will include Allison B400R transmissions, new driver seats, new floors, new interior and exterior LED lighting, and ADA compliant wheelchair ramps. The buses will then be painted and decaled to reflect Yamhill’s branding.

For more information, visit completecoach.com.

Prevost Continues Consistant Customer Support

“Never before has loyalty to customers and the motorcoach industry been more vital than during these unprecedented times. Through it all, Prevost remains committed, offering customers consistent support through the largest service network in the motorcoach industry,” said the company.

“Prevost recognizes the importance of customer support, now even more than ever,” said Kevin Dawson, vice president of parts and service. “We want customers to know we’re here to help, and we’re not going anywhere.”

Prevost’s network includes 17 OEM-owned service locations and 60 mobile service vans strategically stationed throughout North America.

“Prevost service centers are more accommodating than ever,” said Prevost owner-operator Joel Prive of Lamoille Valley Transportation. “I sent a text to setup service for the next day. It was after 7 p.m., but I received a confirmation that evening. What more can you ask?”

Each service center and mobile unit is staffed with factory-trained technicians – focused on motorcoaches – ready and willing to perform work on any make or model of motorcoach.

“Our factory-certified technicians are trained to work on any motorcoach make or model,” said Randy Castillo, service network director. “Whether a Prevost, a Volvo, or any of our competitor brands, we provide exceptional service with a quick turnaround to get you back on the road right away.”

Prevost offers a large inventory of genuine parts in addition to parts for all makes and models available for order from centralized parts warehouses, with many fast-moving parts available at one of the 17 service centers throughout North America. Most parts purchased and installed in a Prevost Service Center also come with a one-year warranty.

“We’re proud to offer Prevost Uptime, our preventive service agreement program,” said Craig Heaton, business development manager. “Using our OEM-established maintenance intervals, or Service-At-A-Glance, service agreements ensure each vehicle is well-serviced making it more reliable and fuel-efficient, while also lowering the total cost of ownership for the operator.

“Prevost Uptime service agreements implement fixed costs and include scheduled maintenance for engines, exhaust aftertreatment systems, transmissions, axles and chassis. Additionally, all services completed through the Prevost Uptime program are accompanied by a 24-month warranty on both parts and labor.”

For more information, visit prevostcar.com.