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Motor Coach Industries

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Motor Coach Industries
Company typePrivate
IndustryTransportation
Founded1932
HeadquartersUnited States Schaumburg, Illinois
Canada Winnipeg, MB
ProductsBuses and Coaches
Number of employees
2,300
WebsiteMotor Coach Industries

Motor Coach Industries International Inc. (MCI) is company with headquarters in Schaumburg, Illinois-based[1][2][3] bus manufacturer founded in 1932.

History

The company was incorporated in 1932 as Fort Garry Motor Body and Paint Works Limited, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. In 1948 Greyhound Lines of Canada, at that time MCI's major customer, became a majority shareholder. MCI was purchased outright by Greyhound Lines in 1958. In 1962 a new plant was opened in Pembina, North Dakota to increase capacity as Greyhound widened its markets and switched increasingly from GMC to its own in-house products. In 1974 another plant was opened in Roswell, New Mexico under the title Transportation Manufacturing Corporation.

In December 1986, Greyhound was split, with Greyhound Lines being sold to an investor group, and Greyhound Lines of Canada, MCI and Transportation Manufacturing Corporation remaining part of Greyhound Corporation, which was renamed Dial, Inc. in 1991.

In 1987, Greyhound Corporation bought the bus manufacturing operations of General Motors (GMC). MCI also took over production of GM's RTS and Classic transit bus models. Production of the RTS was transferred to Transportation Manufacturing Corporation. MCI purchased the GM bus assembly plant in Saint-Eustache Quebec that produced GM's Canadian transit bus model the Classic. Transportation Manufacturing Corporation ceased production of MCI vehicles in 1990 to concentrate on RTS production.

In 1993 MCI became an independent corporation, Motor Coach Industries International Inc.

In 1994 MCI merged with DINA S.A. of Mexico, and over the course of the next couple of years developed the Viaggio 1000 DOT for production and sale to the U.S and Canada. In late 1999/2000 the G4100, G4500 and F3500 models were released to the U.S. and Canadian markets under the new MCI Mexico structure Mexico. Production of the G4100 and G4500 later moved to Winnipeg and Pembina.

Transportation Manufacturing Corporation, including production rights for the RTS, was sold to NovaBus in 1994.

In June 1999, DINA S.A. sold its holding in MCI to JLL Partners, a private equity firm.

After a period of falling demand, increased competition and lay-offs in the early 2000s, production at MCI plants in Winnipeg and Pembina, North Dakota increased in 2006, and 130 employees were added.

During the early 2000s, MCI consolidated its operations. A facility in Mexico was closed and the Winnipeg, Manitoba site was expanded and modernized. A new coach finishing and paint facility and customer delivery center were constructed on the site. At the same time, a 7-year contract was attained with the IAMAW union local. This agreement contained cost improvements and production operations flexibility to improve the productivity and competitiveness of the manufacturing and assembly operations.

The buses, especially the older MC-8 and workhorse MC-9 models of the 1980s became the standard for interstate travel for many bus companies. Those particular buses featured metal frames and roof supports, metal panels on the sides and were extremely durable and reliable. Many of the buses have survived millions of miles of commercial use to be later used as church buses, RVs, and other uses.

Currently, the "J" and "D" models are the leading coaches in the North American intercity coach market.

Models

Current

All current models are 102 inches (2.591 metres) wide.

Model Length Notes
D4000CT 40 ft (12.192 m) Public sector commuter coach.
D4500CT 45 ft (13.716 m) Public sector commuter coach.
D4500CTH 45 ft (13.716 m) Public sector commuter coach, hybrid-electric bus. Special order for Houston METRO.
D4000ISTV 40 ft (12.192 m) Inmate transporter. Only available to prison agencies and law enforcement.
N23 40 ft (USA only) US Government (GSA) model for government and military customers.
N25 45 ft (USA only) US Government (GSA) model for government and military customers.
D4005 40 ft (12.192 m) Private sector D series bus.
D4505 45 ft (13.716 m) Private sector D series bus.
E4500 45 ft (13.716 m) Renaissance Model
J4500 45 ft (13.716 m) Luxury Coach

Past

Model Length Width Notes
D4000CL 40 ft (12.192 m) 102 in (2.591 m) Also known as the 102D3 prior, this model was made from 1995 to 2007.
D4500CL 45 ft (13.716 m) 102 in (2.591 m) Formerly the 102DL3, this model was offered from 1994 to 2007.
D4000H 40 ft (12.192 m) 102 in (2.591 m) Diesel-electric bus. 4 units produced for New Jersey Transit
D4000N 40 ft (12.192 m) 96 in (2.438 m) 11 units produced, 8 for Pace and 3 for New Jersey Transit.
F3500 35 ft (10.668 m) 102 in (2.591 m) Two axle coach
G4100 41 ft (12.497 m) 102 in (2.591 m) Redesigned nose now used on the D4005 model.
G4500 45 ft (13.716 m) 102 in (2.591 m) Redesigned nose now used on the D4505 model.
102-D3 CNG 40 ft (12.192 m) 102 in (2.591 m) Compressed Natural Gas fueled bus. 77 units produced for New Jersey Transit.
102-C3 40 ft (12.192 m) 102 in (2.591 m) Coach available with optional Stainless Steel panels in 1989 and nosecap in 1992
102-B3 40 ft (12.192 m) 102 in (2.591 m) Coach available with optional Stainless Steel panels and nosecap in 1992
102-A(W)3 40 ft (12.192 m) 102 in (2.591 m) Built from 1986-1990.
96-A(W)3 40 ft (12.192 m) 96 in (2.438 m) Built from 1985-1990.
102-A(W)2 40 ft (12.192 m) 102 in (2.591 m) Two axle version of the A3.
96-A(W)2 40 ft (12.192 m) 96 in (2.438 m) Two axle version of the A3.
MC-12 40 ft (12.192 m) 96 in (2.438 m) Built exclusively for Greyhound from 1991-1998
MC-9 40 ft (12.192 m) 96 in (2.438 m) Also known as the Crusader II. Built from 1978-1990.
MC-8 40 ft (12.192 m) 96 in (2.438 m) Also known as the Crusader. Built from 1973-1978.
MC-7 40 ft (12.192 m) 96 in (2.438 m) Built from 1968-1973.
MC-6 40 ft (12.192 m) 102 in (2.591 m) Made only for Greyhound.
MC-5(A,B,C) 35 ft (10.668 m) 96 in (2.438 m)
Classic TC40-102N or TC40-102A 40 ft (12.192 m) 102 in (2.591 m) Transit and suburban style bus, Design acquired from General Motors and built by MCI from 1987-1993. Sold to Nova Bus in 1993.
Classic TC60-102N 60 ft (18.288 m) 102 in (2.591 m) Transit style articulated bus. 9 units built by MCI, for Metro Transit in Halifax and Réseau de transport de la Capitale in Quebec City.
RTS-06 or -08 (Wide Front Doors) 30 ft (9.144 m), 35 ft (10.668 m), or 40 ft (12.192 m) 96 in (2.438 m) or 102 in (2.591 m) Transit and suburban style bus. Design acquired from General Motors, and built by MCI (Transportation Manufacturing Corporation) from 1987-1993. Sold to Nova Bus in 1993.