You'll Have To Wait 10 Years+ To Buy Driverless Cars
Maybe by the 2030 model year automakers will be able to sell self-driving vehicles to the general population.
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CHICAGO — The new vehicles parked along the BusCon trade show floor this year reflected the economic and market demands influencing the ground transportation market. Limousine industry leader Krystal Infinity displayed its new all-electric EVolution minibus complete with green-grass-and-blue-sky paint job, and newcomer TEMSA Global debuted what will be America’s smallest integral motorcoach, the TS30.
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Krystal Infinity
Krystal’s KK38 EVolution minibus, which was featured in the Sept/Oct 2011 issue of LCT Magazine, is 38-feet long and capable of a 150-mile range under average loads with a maximum speed of 65 mph. The EVolution is the first zero-emissions all-electric mid-sized shuttle bus. Krystal Infinity is the only electric bus manufacturer in the U.S.
David Webb, president of Capitol Coachworks Inc., the exclusive distributor of the KK38 EVolution, said there was a lot of excitement about the new vehicle. “BusCon is the right place to introduce a new product,” he said. “People have shown a lot of interest in the technology. BusCon is good every year and orders will come even four to six months after the show. My absence here would be too costly.”
Krystal debuted its new mid-size bus, the KK36, which is built on a Ford F-650 XLT cab and chassis. It seats 31 passengers and features frameless touring windows, upgraded air conditioning system, high back reclining seats with arm rests, OEM air ride suspension, front overhead view window, LCD TV system, and overhead storage racks. A 31-pax F-550 and KK35 limo bus completed Krystal’s show floor line-up.
Websites: www.krystal.cc; www.capitolcoachworks.com
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Turkish coach manufacturer TEMSA Global debuted the TS30, a concept vehicle for the European market that is making its way to the U.S. At 30-feet long and 95 inches wide, it will be the smallest coach to feature an integral monocoque stainless steel chassis. It has a rear engine and an independent front suspension. The Cummins engine runs through an Allison transmission.
The model on the show floor had 37 seats, but TEMSA business development director Omer Sozutek said the number of seats will be reduced to 32-36 in the American version to provide more legroom for passengers. “This vehicle is perfect for the short haul, and operators will be able to get financing for 84 months on the TS30,” Sozutek said.
TEMSA also displayed its TS35, the only 35-foot stainless steel integral motorcoach in the U.S. market. It features a Cummins ISL engine, Allison B500 transmission, independent front suspension with adjustable shock absorber and torsion bar type stabilizer. It can seat 38-40 passengers.
TEMSA coaches feature body-leveling floors, air conditioning with roof heating, electric sun visor, fog lights, first aid kits, double window glazing, curtains, overhead parcel rack, cruise control, luggage trimming, and LED interior & exterior lights.
CH Trading Company is the exclusive distributor for TEMSA in the U.S.
Websites: www.chbussales.com; www.temsa.com
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“This coach is easily a two million mile chassis,” vice president Aram Nikitas said. “It’s built to last. This particular [pre-owned] model [displayed at the show] had 800,000 miles on the chassis, and we put in a new engine, refurbished the interior, and it’s just like new.”
Most striking about the J4500’s interior were the spiral stairway with integral handrails and the large overhead luggage space whose capacity looked comparable to that on an airplane. MCI has the biggest service network in the country. MCI’s Select+ Pre-owned Coach program offers a 60-day/30,000 mile, POC limited warranty; 210+ point MCI inspection; scheduled preventive maintenance inspections and recommended fluid and filter changes at an MCI service center included for 60 days or 30,000 miles, whichever comes first; and a two-year engine and transmission warranty.
Website: www.mcicoach.com
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The Explorer 45’s monocoque chassis is built with Australian high-tensile galvanized steel. It seats 56 passengers and offers three-point seatbelts, individual reading lights, enclosed lavatory with holding tank, LED illumination throughout the interior, and a 17-inch widescreen front monitor. The driver’s area features an ergonomically designed dash and Grammer driver seat.
Website: www.bciamerica.net
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Websites: www.tiffanylimo.com; www.ecblimo.com
Champion Bus
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Website: www.championbus.com
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Website: www.glavalbus.com
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Website: www.abc-companies.com
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Website: www.MBSprinterUSA.com
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Website: www.ICBus.com
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Turtle Top
Attendees swamped the Turtle Top exhibit for hours, enjoying the two vehicles on display: a glossy black Terra Transport XLT and F-550 Odyssey XL buses. Turtle Top vice president Phil Tom said the paint on the vehicles is a new water-based paint that came with a five-year warranty. “We aim to design our vehicles around clients’ needs,” he said. Both vehicles were equipped with new windows and featured leather seating with three-point seatbelts.
The 12-pax Terra Transport XLT has an MSRP of $74,999 and can be financed for 60 months at 5.5% for $1,434. The 30-pax F550 Odyssey XL has an MSRP of $121,500 and can be financed for 60 months at 5.5% for $2,324.
Website: www.turtletop.com
Related Topics: alt fuel vehicles, bus market, BusCon, buses, executive vans, group travel, hybrid vehicles, luxury vans, mini-buses, motorcoaches, new vehicles
Maybe by the 2030 model year automakers will be able to sell self-driving vehicles to the general population.
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