ST. CLOUD, MN, Oct. 10, 2017 /CNW/ - (TSX: NFI) New Flyer of
America Inc. ("New Flyer"), the U.S. subsidiary of New Flyer
Industries Inc. ("NFI Group"), the largest transit bus and motor
coach manufacturer and parts distributor in North America, today announced that the Los
Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA or "LA
Metro") has awarded New Flyer of America a contract for up to 100
Xcelsior® battery-electric, zero-emission, 60-foot
heavy-duty transit buses. The contract includes 35 firm
orders with options to purchase an additional 65
buses.
![New Flyer of America (CNW Group/New Flyer of America Inc.) New Flyer of America (CNW Group/New Flyer of America Inc.)](https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/571286/New_Flyer_of_America_Inc__LA_Metro_awards_a_contract_to_New_Flye.jpg)
The decision was spurred by LA Metro's commitment to
all-electric transit buses by 2030, and was supported by the
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Local Labor Hiring Pilot
Program. That program enables FTA grantees, including states
and local agencies, to utilize social or economic contracting
requirements in competitive bidding. In addition, the
Transportation Diversity Council (TDC) will assist with local
employment, hiring a diverse workforce, and the addition of
life-skills training by the New Flyer Institute, the Company's
proprietary learning center.
"We are honored to partner with LA Metro to pursue new frontiers
for sustainable and zero-emission transit and proud to have been
selected from this competitive procurement," said Wayne Joseph, President of New Flyer of America.
"New Flyer has five decades of experience manufacturing electric
transit buses, starting with trolleys in 1969. With the new
Xcelsior CHARGE™ we can now deliver enhanced battery-electric
transit technology on a proven bus platform that meets the demands
of America's communities."
New Flyer's Xcelsior CHARGE™ buses will be deployed on LA
Metro's technologically-advanced Orange Line. These buses offer up
to USD $400,000 in energy savings and
up to USD $125,000 in maintenance
savings over a 12-year life span, and can travel up to 230 miles on
a single charge1. When charged on-route, the
Xcelsior CHARGE™ remains continuously operational to meet daily
service requirements.
"Metro is fully committed to improving the health of people
across the region – and these new electric buses will help improve
air quality and reduce noise pollution," said Los Angeles Mayor Eric
Garcetti, Chair of the Metro Board. "As the largest transit
agency in the country to commit to a fully electric fleet by 2030,
Metro continues to serve as a global leader for sustainable
policies, all while creating good-paying local jobs.
The NFI Group has been advancing innovation in battery-electric
transit technology since 2008, and in October 2017, introduced the Xcelsior CHARGE™ -
its next-generation battery-electric bus with improved design,
performance, and technological advancement. It is the quietest,
most accessible transit bus available, with the highest gross axle
rating due to battery distribution.
New Flyer has bus service, parts, and manufacturing support at
three California facilities
located in Ontario, Los Alamitos, and Fresno. LA Metro currently serves as the
transportation planner, coordinator, designer, builder, and
operator for over 10 million people residing in a 4,000-square mile
area. In 2017, it committed to all electric buses by
2030.
This new award, which includes the Xcelsior battery-electric
buses and charging hardware, will add a total of 200 equivalent
units to New Flyer's backlog. The NFI Group has over 50 years of
experience in manufacturing zero-emission buses (ZEBs) and employs
more American workers than any other bus manufacturer in
North America.
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1 230 miles with a 480 kWH charge, range per FTA Altoona
Test Protocol
About NFI Group
NFI Group is the largest transit bus and motor coach
manufacturer and parts distributor in North America, with 31 fabrication,
manufacturing, distribution, and service centers across
Canada and the U.S. employing over
5,800 team members.
It is North America's
heavy-duty transit bus leader and offers the largest transit bus
product line under the brand Xcelsior®, incorporating
the broadest range of drive systems available, including: clean
diesel, natural gas, diesel-electric hybrid, trolley-electric, and
battery-electric. NFI Group actively supports over 44,000
heavy-duty transit buses (New Flyer, NABI, and Orion) currently in
service, of which 6,400 are powered by electric and battery
propulsion.
NFI Group is also North
America's motor coach market leader offering the Motor Coach
Industries Inc. (MCI) J-Series, the industry's best-selling
intercity coach for 11 consecutive years, and the MCI D-Series, the
industry's best-selling motor coach line in North American history.
MCI is also the exclusive distributor of Daimler's Setra S 417 and
S 407 motor coaches in the United
States and Canada. MCI
actively supports over 28,000 coaches currently in service.
NFI Group also operates North
America's most comprehensive parts organization, NFI Parts™,
providing parts, technical publications, training, and support for
its OEM product lines (transit buses and motor coaches). All buses
and coaches are also supported by an industry-leading comprehensive
warranty, service, and support network.
Further information is available on NFI Group websites at
www.newflyer.com and www.mcicoach.com. The common shares of the NFI
Group are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol
NFI.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements
relating to expected future events and financial and operating
results of NFI Group 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 and economic conditions of and funding availability for
customers to purchase buses and to purchase parts or services,
customers may not exercise options to purchase additional buses,
the ability of customers to suspend or terminate contracts for
convenience 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 NFI Group 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 of America Inc.