WARRENVILLE, Ill. – The state of North Carolina has named IC Bus the winner of its bid for 800 to 900 new CE Series school buses. IC Bus of Warrenville, Ill., is the nation’s largest manufacturer of school buses. IC BusTM will deliver the buses next spring through its IC Bus dealer White’s International Trucks of High Point, N.C.
“IC Bus stands apart from the competition because of our commitment to partner with our customers to ensure we deliver buses that meet their unique needs,” said John McKinney, president, IC Bus. “For the North Carolina bid, IC Bus worked closely with White’s International to demonstrate that difference. We are pleased to have the opportunity to provide the State with the industry-leading school buses.”
Three school bus manufacturers competed for the bid, a process which began in mid-September 2009. The CE Series buses for North Carolina will be powered by MaxxForce® engines, which are not only the most popular school bus engines in the school bus industry, but which also have a reputation for exceptional reliability and superior fuel economy. IC Bus is the only school bus manufacturer with a vertically integrated engine family, a strategic advantage in this bid process during this period of limited engine availability ahead of the industry’s change to 2010 emissions.
“The team from White’s International has a keen understanding of the needs of this customer. They helped demonstrate how IC Bus could be a partner to them during and after the sale,” McKinney said.
An IC Bus customer since 2001, North Carolina plans to use the buses in school districts across the state. The over 800 CE Series buses are funded as part of the state’s annual budget appropriation for school bus replacement. McKinney added, “With other states cutting school bus routes due to budget cuts, it’s encouraging to see North Carolina maintain its commitment to ensuring that children across the state have access to safe transportation to school.”
About IC Bus
IC Bus, LLC of Warrenville, Ill., is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navistar, Inc. (NYSE: NAV). The nation’s largest integrated manufacturer of school buses, IC Bus is a global leader in passenger protection, chassis design, engines and ergonomics. The company is also a producer of commercial buses. All IC Bus™ buses are sold, serviced and supported through a renowned dealer network that offers an integrated customer program encompassing parts, training and service. Additional information is available at www.icbus.com.
