The North American transit bus sector is bracing for a significant shift as industry players move to tackle persistent supply chain bottlenecks, manufacturing deficits, and an overwhelming backlog of vehicle orders. ABC Companies has announced the launch of a brand-new line of heavy-duty transit buses under the name Cor Transit, introducing fresh competition into a market that has recently weathered the loss of major manufacturers, sweeping tariffs, and global supply chain disruptions. At the same time, Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast is preparing to bring its electric buses to the United States through a strategic collaboration with NexMove Certified, a joint venture formed by Transportation Management Services and EV charging infrastructure provider Zeem Solutions.
These parallel developments come at a critical juncture for public transit agencies across the United States and Canada. In recent years, the sector has faced severe hurdles in acquiring zero-emission and traditional transit vehicles, driven by rising material costs, component shortages, and manufacturing capacity constraints. As transit authorities look to modernize their fleets and meet ambitious environmental targets, the introduction of new manufacturing alternatives and international partnerships could help reshape the availability, procurement options, and overall landscape of public transit infrastructure in the coming years.
New Competition and High Market Demand
For ABC Companies, the decision to launch the Cor Transit line is a direct response to current market conditions characterized by constrained supply and towering demand. John Walsh, Chief Commercial Officer at ABC Companies, highlighted the urgency of the situation facing transit operators who have struggled with prolonged manufacturing wait times.
"There’s a high demand in the market right now, and I think we’ll be able to fill it," Walsh said in an interview with Smart Cities Dive. "It should help delivery times."
Walsh confirmed that ABC expects its newly established Cor Transit heavy-duty transit bus manufacturing operation to roll out its initial vehicle deliveries by 2028. Although the company has not yet finalized or announced the specific location for its manufacturing facility, leadership has emphasized a strong commitment to regulatory compliance. ABC stated that the new bus models will meet all applicable requirements of the Build America Buy America Act, a crucial consideration for municipal transit agencies that rely heavily on federal grants and funding to finance their capital purchases.
Designing for Riders, Drivers, and Maintenance Crews
In developing the Cor Transit vehicle, ABC Companies sought to balance the practical needs of transit agencies with an enhanced passenger and operator experience. Michael Ammann, Vice President of the Transit Division at ABC, outlined the company’s dual focus on operational functionality and interior comfort during the design phase.
"The goal is to develop a product that the transit agencies will understand," Ammann said. Furthermore, he noted that the company wanted to create "an inviting vehicle for people to get into."
Ammann described the interior environment of the new bus as having a "calming" atmosphere, complete with ambient lighting and a distinctively "European feel." To ensure maximum accessibility and passenger flow, the vehicle has been engineered to accommodate a wheelchair ramp at the front door, the center door, or both configurations, alongside a wide interior aisle to ease boarding and movement.
Beyond passenger comfort, ABC designed the bus "from the ground up" with a sharp focus on the daily realities faced by service technicians and bus operators. Walsh pointed out that modern safety features, such as driver safety partitions, can sometimes restrict optimal airflow within the operator’s compartment, leading to discomfort during long shifts. To resolve this issue, Ammann noted that the Cor Transit model will come equipped with a dedicated driver’s air conditioning system as a standard feature. This climate control system is designed not only to keep operators comfortable but also to assist in defogging windows and actively circulating fresh air on warm operating days.
While the zero-emission transition remains a primary focus for many transit systems, the initial wave of Cor Transit vehicles will be diesel-powered. However, company leadership indicated that plans are already underway to expand the platform, with additional powertrain options expected to be offered in the future to accommodate diverse agency requirements and climate goals.
VinFast Enters the U.S. Market Through Partnership
While ABC focuses on domestic manufacturing and Buy America compliance for its upcoming diesel fleet, VinFast is taking a different route to introduce its technology to North American transit networks. The Vietnamese automaker has finalized plans to bring its electric buses to the U.S. market through a collaboration with NexMove Certified.
The partnership leverages the combined strengths of Transportation Management Services and Zeem Solutions, an EV charging infrastructure provider. Rather than selling vehicles as standalone assets, the companies plan to offer a bundled package. Under this model, transit agencies will be able to acquire the buses alongside integrated charging infrastructure, ongoing maintenance services, and operational support through a single, comprehensive purchase agreement.
The electric buses offered through this partnership will be manufactured in Vietnam. Because of their foreign manufacturing origin, Robert Hill, Vice President of U.S. Electric Bus Sales at VinFast, confirmed to Smart Cities Dive that these vehicles will not meet the domestic sourcing requirements outlined in the Build America Buy America Act. Consequently, the buses will primarily target agencies or private operators whose funding sources do not mandate Buy America compliance. To instill confidence in buyers regarding the cross-border procurement of these electric vehicles, Hill noted that the buses will be backed by a substantial 15-year warranty.
As both ABC Companies and VinFast advance their respective go-to-market strategies, public transit agencies across the region will soon gain new avenues for fleet renewal. Whether through domestically compliant heavy-duty models designed to shorten delivery backlogs or comprehensive electric bus packages paired with turnkey charging solutions, these initiatives signal a notable evolution in how North American transit fleets will be sourced and maintained in the years leading up to 2028 and beyond.
