Sales Of New, Used Motorcoaches Grow Steady In 2016

2016 motorcoach sales rose by 6.5% compared to the previous year. (LCT file photo from Prevost)

WASHINGTON, D.C. –- The American Bus Association Foundation (ABAF) on Jan. 25 released the 2016 fourth quarter results of the quarterly Coach Builder Survey. Based on surveys of the major motorcoach manufacturers who sell vehicles in the U.S. and Canada, motorcoach sales from the participating manufacturers rose by 6.5% compared to the prior year to a total of 3,620 units (2,407 new coaches and 1,213 pre-owned coaches).

“2016 was a stellar year for motorcoach manufacturers,” ABA Foundation President Peter Pantuso said. “Last year showed a 3% growth in new motorcoach sales and a 14.3% growth in pre-owned coaches. As the industry continues to grow, operators are reinvesting their profits back into the comfort for their passengers.”

The survey showed the growth was dominated by sales to private firms in 2016. Overall, new coach sales to companies was up by more than 195 units (10.9% increase). This was offset somewhat by a reduction in sales to public sector agencies of 125 units. After a flat year in 2014, sales to private firms have risen steadily, suggesting investors are bullish on the sector, and that firms are upgrading equipment and opening up new opportunities.

Looking deeper, there has been a marked increase in the private sector sales of new small (30-<40-ft.) coaches compared to years past. In 2015, 184 vehicles were sold. Small coach sales in 2016 increased 44.6% to 266 vehicles. Meanwhile, sales of the largest coaches (45 ft. plus in length) stayed about the same.

“The increase in sales of smaller vehicles point to a shift that the motorcoach tourism industry has experienced over the past few years, as tours have become more specialized, catering to smaller groups and more diverse agendas,” Pantuso said.

About the Report
Data were collected by John Dunham & Associates for the American Bus Association Foundation. John Dunham & Associates is a New York City-based economic consulting firm specializing in the economics of fast moving issues. Data, which reflect updated results from prior reports, were collected by John Dunham & Associates for the American Bus Association Foundation. Changes in data definitions and reporting occurred over the past quarter and are reflected in these figures.

About the ABA Foundation
The American Bus Association Foundation (ABAF) is the scholarship and research arm of the motorcoach, tour and travel industry. The largest non-profit in motorcoach group travel, the ABAF distributes $100,000 a year in scholarships to industry families and invests in research to demonstrate the important role motorcoach transportation plays in society.