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Motor Coach Industries
Type Private
Founded 1932
Headquarters Schaumburg, Illinois
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Industry Transportation
bus manufacturing
Products Buses and Coaches
Employees 2,300
Website Motor Coach Industries

Motor Coach Industries International Inc. (MCI) is a Schaumburg, Illinois-based bus manufacturer founded in 1932 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

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 General Motors Diesel Division to its own in-house products. In 1974 another plant was opened in Roswell, New Mexico under the title Transportation Manufacturing Corporation (TMC)

In December 1986, Greyhound was split, with Greyhound Lines being sold to an investor group, and Greyhound Lines of Canada, MCI and TMC remaining part of The 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 model, transferring production to TMC. MCI also purchased the GM bus assembly plant in Saint-Eustache Quebec that produced GM's Canadian transit bus model the Classic. TMC ceased production of the older MCI vehicles in 1990 to concentrate on manufacturing the RTS, and on the "A-Model" intercity coaches.

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. Production of the G4100 and G4500 later moved to Winnipeg and Pembina.

TMC, 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 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, having survived millions of miles of commercial use, have been given a second career serving churches or other organizations, while the MCI / TMC coaches are very popular "conversion shells," used for motorhomes.

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

Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Motor Coach Industries Inc. announced on September 15. 2008, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as part of a restructuring the company says will help shed hundreds of millions of dollars of debt.[1]

On Friday, April 17, 2009, Motor Coach Industries Inc. emerged from its voluntary Chapter 11 reorganization. Investment funds managed by Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC have now become the majority shareholders of Motor Coach Industries Inc.[2]

Models

Current

All current models are 102 inches (2.59 metres) wide.

Model Example Length Notes
D4000CT/
D4500CT
40/45 ft
(12.19/13.72 m)
  • Public sector commuter coach.
  • Frameless windows optional.
D4500CTH 45 ft
(13.72 m)
D4000ISTV 40 ft
(12.19 m)
  • Inmate transporter.
N23/N25 40/45 ft
(USA only)
  • US Government (GSA) model for government and military customers.
D4005/
D4505
40/45 ft
(12.19/13.72 m)
  • Private sector D series bus.
  • Frameless windows only.
E4500 45 ft
(13.72 m)
  • Renaissance Model, originally 102EL3.
  • Two side top stop lights.
J4500 45 ft
(13.72 m)
  • Luxury Coach.
  • One center top stop light.

Past

Model Length Width Example Notes
D4000CL/D4500CL 40/45 ft
(12.19/13.72 m)
102 in
(2.59 m)
Also known as the 102D(L)3 prior, this model was made from 1994 to 2007 (102D3/D4000(CL) from 1995-2007)
D4000H 40 ft
(12.19 m)
102 in
(2.591 m)
Diesel-electric bus. 4 units produced for New Jersey Transit
D4000N 40 ft
(12.19 m)
96 in
(2.44 m)
12 units produced, 8 for Pace Transit and 4 for New Jersey Transit.
F3500 35 ft
(10.67 m)
102 in
(2.59 m)
Two axle coach
G4100/G4500 41/45 ft
(12.50/13.72 m)
102 in
(2.59 m)
Redesigned nose now used on the D4005/D4505 model.
102-D3 CNG 40 ft
(12.19 m)
102 in
(2.59 m)
Compressed Natural Gas fueled bus. 77 units produced for New Jersey Transit.
102-C3 40 ft
(12.19 m)
102 in
(2.59 m)
Coach available with optional Stainless Steel panels in 1989 and nosecap in 1992
102-B3 40 ft
(12.19 m)
102 in
(2.59 m)
Coach available with optional Stainless Steel panels and nosecap in 1992
96-A(W)3/102-A(W)3 40 ft
(12.19 m)
96/102 in
(2.44/2.59 m)
Built from 1986-1990 (96A3 from 1985-1990).
96-A(W)2/102-A(W)2 40 ft
(12.19 m)
96/102 in
(2.44/2.59 m)
Two axle version, A2 instead of A3.
MC-12 40 ft
(12.19 m)
96 in
(2.44 m)
Built primarily for Greyhound from 1991-1998
MC-9 40 ft
(12.19 m)
96 in
(2.44 m)
Also known as the Crusader II. Built from 1978-1990. Replaced MC-8 due to problem with eight's baggage doors not staying open.
MC-8 40 ft
(12.19 m)
96 in
(2.44 m)
Also known as the Crusader. Built from 1973-1978. First MCI built with optional automatic transmissions.
MC-7 40 ft
(12.19 m)
96 in
(2.44 m)
Built from 1968-1973.
MC-6 40 ft
(12.19 m)
102 in
(2.59 m)
Made only for Greyhound. 102 inches wide. Six inches wider than most buses and did not receive approval to operate in all states.
MC-5(A,B,C) 35 ft
(10.67 m)
96 in
(2.44 m)
35 Ft. motorcoach
Classic TC40-102N or TC40-102A 40 ft
(12.19 m)
102 in
(2.59 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
(18.29 m)
102 in
(2.59 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) 30/35/40 ft
(9.14/10.67/12.19 m)
96/102 in
(2.44/2.59 m)
Transit and suburban style bus. Design acquired from General Motors, and built by MCI (Transportation Manufacturing Corporation) from 1987-1994. Sold to Nova Bus in 1994.

References

  1. MacPherson, James. Motor Coach files for bankruptcy protection, Grand Forks Herald, September 15, 2008. Accessed September 17, 008].
  2. http://www.pr-inside.com/motor-coach-industries-emerges-from-chapter-r1193491.htm

External links

Smallwikipedialogo This page uses some content from Wikipedia. The original article was at Motor Coach Industries. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki, the text of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons by Attribution License and/or GNU Free Documentation License. Please check page history for when the original article was copied to Wikia


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