Champion Bus Announces Licensing Agreement with the Dallas Smith Corporation for Exclusive Use of Commercial Bus Technologies

Imlay City, Mich. (Tuesday, April 7, 2015) – Champion Bus, Inc., a leading manufacturer of small- to mid- size and custom commercial buses, today announced a licensing agreement with the Dallas Smith Corporation for exclusive use of the its existing and future commercial bus technologies as optional features on the Champion Bus LF TransportTM low floor model. Dallas Smith’s existing patented technologies include the Equalizer Ramp® and IntelliSYNC® electronically controlled ”Smart” suspension system with low-speed OverRiseTM function.

“Public paratransit and retirement/assisted living facilities are the primary markets for the LF TransportTM. The Dallas Smith Corporation’s innovative technologies on this model provide equal access and a more comfortable ride experience for all passengers,” said John Resnik, president of Champion Bus. “The performance benefits result in easier, faster and safer boarding during scheduled stops, which significantly decreases dwell time and improves overall service route efficiency.”

The Equalizer Ramp® utilizes automatic sensing technology to provide a uniform single-grade slope based on the height of the deployment surface, creating a flat entrance bridge into a 102” wide flat passenger area. The IntelliSYNC® electronically controlled “Smart” suspension system monitors the position of heavy-duty sensors to make necessary adjustments to maintain a smooth ride. The low speed OverRiseTM function lifts the entire vehicle up to 2.5” inches higher than the normal ride height to increase approach, break-over and departure angles.

“We engineered these patented systems to improve accessibility and ride quality not only for wheelchair occupants but for all passengers, including people who use a walker or scooter, parents with strollers and persons who are elderly, visually impaired or pregnant,” said Garrett J. Smith, vice president of Dallas Smith Corporation. “Vehicle handling and stability are also improved, increasing roll over resistance for a safer ride.”

The LF TransportTM has met a strict set of quality assurance standards and passed rigorous safety and performance tests. Champion Bus is currently the only Ford QVM certified manufacturer offering a low floor cutaway bus model on an E-450 chassis that can be converted to CNG or LPG alternative fuel packages using OEM supplied hardened valves without risk of violating the OEM engine warranty.

For more information about the LF TransportTM and these technologies, visit www.championbus.com/models/lftransport.

About Champion Bus

Champion Bus, Inc., a subsidiary of Allied Specialty Vehicles (ASV), manufactures small and medium sized commercial buses for public transit, paratransit, parking, airport, hotel/resort, assisted living, group tour, church and university markets. Founded in 1953, Champion Bus was the first bus manufacturer to become QVM certified by the Ford Motor Company. All bus models manufactured at the company’s ISO 9001 certified facility in Imlay City, Mich. are Altoona tested, FMVSS/CMVSS compliant and have tested to U.S. and European rollover safety standards. Backed by a dependable dealer network in North America, Champion Bus provides quick delivery of replacement parts and responsive customer service and technical support. For more information, visit www.championbus.com.

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