(TSX: NFI, OTC: NFYEF) NFI Group Inc. (“NFI” or
the “Company”), a leading independent bus and coach manufacturer
and a leader in electric mass mobility solutions, today announced
that its subsidiary Motor Coach Industries (“MCI”) has unveiled the
new zero-emission, battery-electric J4500 CHARGE™ coach.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/26c6d288-ddbb-4cb1-9f49-5bfec1859316
YouTube
link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ri-qgxgO-Ms
The J4500 CHARGE™ – a zero-emission version of
the industry’s best-selling J series tour and charter luxury
coaches – leverages EV technology from New Flyer and delivers over
200 miles of range, while also delivering enhanced safety
features.
“NFI has pushed EV and automated innovation
forward, and today we achieve another milestone in our technology
roadmap through the launch of MCI’s first battery-electric luxury
coach,” said Paul Soubry, President and Chief Executive Officer,
NFI. “With the unveiling, MCI further expands NFI’s market-leading
portfolio of zero-emission vehicles and continues our ability to
lead the ZEvolution.”
MCI’s J4500 CHARGE™ incorporates advanced
technology to power its high performance, including optimized
battery placement for weight distribution and handling; enhanced
regeneration for energy recovery and greater efficiency;
exceptional torque and gradeability for smoother, more powerful
operation; and next generation, ethically sourced, high-energy
batteries that deliver over 200 miles of range. To learn more,
visit mcicoach.com/electric.
The new J4500 CHARGE™ is perfectly suited for
use by tour and charter, employee shuttle, and executive coach
operators looking to lower their emissions and total operating
costs while maintaining the luxury and passenger experience that
has defined MCI for decades.
“Our J4500 CHARGE was made for high performance
through unmatched design, with each detail developed to provide an
exceptional passenger experience while supporting zero-emission
travel with clean, safe, reliable mobility,” said Chris Stoddart,
President, NFI North America Bus and Coach. “With fully
customizable interiors, the industry’s best warranty coverage, and
expert infrastructure support offered through NFI’s Infrastructure
Solutions team, the J4500 CHARGE is leading the next generation of
travel.”
The J4500 CHARGE™ features brighter, more
spacious interiors with industry-leading legroom. Parts support is
provided by NFI subsidiary NFI Parts, North America’s largest parts
supplier, with training offered by the industry’s only
ASE-accredited training center, MCI Academy. Further training and
workforce development support is provided through NFI’s Vehicle
Innovation Center (“VIC”), North America’s first and only
innovation lab dedicated to the advancement of bus technology. The
VIC now offers detailed virtual sessions to allow operators and
drivers to increase their EV and AV training.
“We successfully completed prototype testing of
our J4500 CHARGE in 2018, and since then have continued rigorous
field testing of MCI’s battery-electric performance to prove
operation through virtually any condition,” said Brent Maitland,
MCI’s Vice President of Private Sector Sales and Marketing. “And,
not only do our EVs include the industry’s best warranty at 30
months, they are supported by NFI’s field tech army – North
America’s most extensive bus and coach service and support network
– with 24/7 roadside assistance to support operators any time of
day.”
New Flyer and MCI will deliver J4500 CHARGE™
electric coach training through a no-cost virtual session hosted
July 7, 2021, through the VIC. To register, visit
newflyer.com/VIC.
In addition to operating the VIC, NFI offers
comprehensive infrastructure support through its Infrastructure
Solutions team, providing safe and reliable infrastructure services
for sustainable mobility projects with over 200 chargers installed
to date. To learn more, visit
newflyer.com/infrastructuresolutions.
NFI is leading the global electrification of
mass mobility, operating in more than 80 cities in four countries
that have completed over 40 million electric service miles. NFI is
testing automated vehicle technology and remains committed to the
development of technology standards that deliver safe, clean,
sustainable, connected mobility options to communities.
About NFI
Leveraging 450 years of combined experience, NFI
is leading the electrification of mass mobility around the world.
With zero-emission buses and coaches, infrastructure, and
technology, NFI meets today’s urban demands for scalable smart
mobility solutions. Together, NFI is enabling more livable cities
through connected, clean, and sustainable transportation.
With 8,000 team members in ten countries, NFI is
a leading global bus manufacturer of mass mobility solutions under
the brands New Flyer® (heavy-duty transit buses), MCI® (motor
coaches), Alexander Dennis Limited (single and double-deck buses),
Plaxton (motor coaches), ARBOC® (low-floor cutaway and medium-duty
buses), and NFI Parts™. NFI currently offers the widest range of
sustainable drive systems available, including zero-emission
electric (trolley, battery, and fuel cell), natural gas, electric
hybrid, and clean diesel. In total, NFI supports its installed base
of over 105,000 buses and coaches around the world. NFI common
shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol
NFI. News and information is available at www.nfigroup.com,
www.newflyer.com, www.mcicoach.com, www.arbocsv.com,
www.alexander-dennis.com, and www.nfi.parts.
About MCI
MCI is North America's leading public and
private market motor coach brand, building the J4500 (an
industry best-seller for over a decade), the all-new
35-foot J3500 model, and the
workhorse D-Series including the ADA-accessible MCI D45
CRT LE Commuter Coach. MCI also provides maintenance, repair,
24-hour roadside assistance, parts, and technician training through
the industry's only Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)
accredited MCI Academy.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking
statements which reflect the expectations of management regarding
MCI’s and NFI’s strategic initiatives, new products, plans and
opportunities, including the development and future production and
sale of the battery-electric J4500 CHARGE™ and the benefits and
improvements related to the new product. The words “believes”,
“views”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “expects”, “intends”, “projects”,
“forecasts”, “estimates”, “guidance” and “targets”, “may”, “will”,
and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward looking
statements.
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 the J4500
CHARGE™; the J4500 CHARGE™ is a new product and no production
models have yet been delivered to customers; there may not be
sufficient customer demand for the J4500 CHARGE™, or at all, in
order to commence or maintain manufacturing for the new product;
the expected economic, efficiency, better manufacturability, lower
weight, increased range and other benefits and improvements of the
product described in this release may not be as great as those
anticipated or may not be realized at all; 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, NFI
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.
For media inquiries, please contact:Lindy
NorrisP: 320.406.3386Lindy_Norris@newflyer.com
For investor inquiries, please contact:Stephen
KingP: 204.224.6382Stephen.King@nfigroup.com
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