Collins Bus Corporation Partners with Westport to Launch Dedicated Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Type A School Bus

SOUTH HUTCHINSON, Kan., May 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Collins Bus Corporation, the leading manufacturer of Type A school and multi function school activity buses, today announced that it is accepting orders for its new compressed natural gas (CNG) model that provides an estimated 250-300 mile range, decreases greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 15% and reduces operating costs. Built on a Ford E-450 6.8L cutaway chassis backed by a Ford Factory 5-year / 60,000-mile engine and powertrain warranty, Collins' CNG bus features the Westport WiNG™ Power System dedicated natural gas fuel system certified by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

"We are very pleased to partner with Westport to begin offering a CNG bus model in the fastest growing segment of the alternative fuel school bus market," said Kent Tyler, president and CEO of Allied Specialty Vehicles' bus division and interim president of Collins Bus. "As Ford's largest qualified vehicle modifier, Westport's CNG expertise and proven technology allows us to offer the most reliable clean energy Type A school bus model available to meet the evolving needs of our dealers and diverse customer base."

Paul Shaffer, Westport vice president and managing director of North American Ford business, added, "Westport is continuing to demonstrate our position as an industry leader by offering the first-ever Ford-recognized Type A school bus that runs on natural gas. Our team of engineers worked with Ford and Collins Bus to conduct extensive simulations and physical crash-testing to meet the stringent school bus safety requirements. With the distinct price and emissions benefits of natural gas, we're excited to offer a CNG powered product to school districts."

Collins Bus will begin delivery in the fall. To place an order, call toll free 1-800-533-1850.

About Collins Bus

Collins Bus Corporation, a subsidiary of Allied Specialty Vehicles, Inc. (ASV), manufactures 14 Type A school bus, multi function school activity bus (MFSAB), multi purpose vehicle (MPV) and child care bus models under the Collins Bus, Mid Bus and Corbeil brands. The company introduced the industry's first small school bus model for 16-20 passengers in 1967, which paved the way for the development of the Type A federal school bus classification and established the company as a leader in innovative design. Collins Bus pioneered the first school bus wheelchair lift in the mid-1970s and introduced the first propane powered Type A school bus in 2010. With more than 50 dealer locations in the United States and Canada, Collins Bus has one of the industry's largest distribution networks. For more information about Collins Bus, visit www.collinsbuscorp.com and follow us on Twitter @collinsbus. For more information about ASV, visit www.alliedsv.com.

SOURCE Collins Bus Corporation