WINNIPEG, Sept. 1, 2015 /CNW/ - (TSX:NFI) (TSX:NFI.DB.U)
New Flyer Industries Inc. ("New Flyer" or the "Company") the
leading manufacturer of heavy-duty transit buses in the United States and Canada, announced the completion of testing of
the Xcelsior XE40 electric bus in the Federal Transit
Administration ("FTA") Bus Test Program at Altoona, PA. This
is commonly referred to as an "Altoona Test".
Any new model vehicle used in United
States in mass transportation revenue service and purchased
with FTA funds must complete an Altoona Test. The primary
focus of the test program is structural durability with additional
evaluations including: safety, structural integrity, reliability,
performance, maintainability, noise, and fuel economy.
"We are very proud of the XE40's achieving this important
milestone and its exceptional performance in all categories of the
Altoona Test. Our engineers worked diligently to design and
manufacture the most versatile zero-emission bus in the market. It
is based on our proven Xcelsior platform that has accumulated
several hundred million miles of safe and reliable service since
its introduction in 2008," said Paul
Soubry, President and Chief Executive Officer of New
Flyer. Soubry added, "The XE40 performed superbly and clearly
distinguished itself against other battery-electric buses achieving
over 20 miles per gallon diesel equivalent fuel economy, with the
greatest gross vehicle weight rating available. This equates
to the highest passenger carrying capability of any electric bus in
North America. The interior noise
measurements during acceleration from 0 to 35 mph also proved to be
best-in-class for an all-electric bus. Our research indicates
the Xcelsior XE40 is the quietest transit bus ever tested with the
FTA's standardized test protocol".
Chris Stoddart, New Flyer's Vice
President of Engineering and Service commented, "We knew
integrating the battery-electric bus on the proven Xcelsior
platform using experienced component and systems suppliers, was
essential to provide transit agencies the opportunity to enhance
their in-service uptime. The integration of the Siemens ELFA
drive motor and lithium-ion battery packs from XALT Energy into the
XE40 resulted in outstanding performance and we experienced no
propulsion or battery issues throughout the entire test
program. Unscheduled repair labor hours for the Xcelsior XE40
were significantly lower than any other electric buses tested at
Altoona".
Transit agencies throughout North
America have been eager, while at the same time uncertain of
the reliability, maintainability and range of adding zero-emission
battery-electric buses to their clean diesel, diesel-hybrid, and
compressed natural gas bus fleets. With successful completion
of the Altoona Test, New Flyer can provide operators with objective
data indicating the XE40 battery-electric bus is built to rely on,
day in and day out. The XE40 is now registered in the
Zero-Emission Bus Voucher Incentive Program, including in
California, to encourage the
market introduction of electric buses.
As with all New Flyer buses, customers can count on the
industry's most comprehensive after-sales Parts and Service
organization to support their zero-emissions buses throughout their
entire life.
New Flyer is preparing to return to the Altoona Test Facility in
early 2016 with an Xcelsior 60-foot articulated battery-electric
bus. Building upon New Flyer's extensive technical expertise
and bus building experience, the articulated zero-emission bus will
include a range extending hydrogen fuel cell.
About New Flyer
New Flyer is the leading manufacturer of heavy-duty transit
buses in the United States and
Canada. The Company is the
industry technology leader and offers the broadest product line of
transit buses including drive systems powered by: clean diesel,
natural gas, diesel-electric hybrid, electric trolley and now,
battery-electric. All buses are supported by an industry-leading
comprehensive warranty and support program, and service network.
New Flyer also operates the industry's most sophisticated
aftermarket parts organization, sourcing parts from hundreds of
different suppliers and providing support for all types of transit
buses.
The New Flyer group of companies employ over 3,300 team members
with manufacturing, fabrication, parts distribution and service
centers in both Canada and
the United States. Over 32,000 New
Flyer and NABI heavy-duty transit buses are in operation today.
Further information is available on New Flyer's website at
http://www.newflyer.com
The common shares and convertible unsecured subordinated
debentures of the Company are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange
under the symbols NFI and NFI.DB.U, respectively.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements
relating to expected future events and financial and operating
results of the Company that involve risks and uncertainties.
Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press
release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable
assumptions, investors cannot be assured that actual results will
be consistent with these forward-looking statements, and the
differences may be material. Actual results may differ
materially from management expectations as projected in such
forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons, including
market and general economic conditions, the expected benefits for
customers operating this type of bus may not be realized, the
economic conditions of and funding availability for customers to
purchase buses and to purchase parts or services and the other
risks and uncertainties discussed in the materials filed with the
Canadian securities regulatory authorities and available on SEDAR
at www.sedar.com. Due to the potential impact of these
factors, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to
update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless
required by applicable law.
SOURCE New Flyer Industries Inc.