Motor Coach Industries International Inc. (MCI) is a Schaumburg, Illinois-based 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 (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 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.
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) |
|
| 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 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 of the 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 1987-1993. Sold to Nova Bus in 1993. |
References
External links
