Prevost Car

Prevost is a Quebec, Canada-based manufacturer of touring coaches and bus shells for high-end motorhomes and specialty conversions.

The company now owns Nova Bus and in turn is owned by Volvo Bus Corporation.^[1]

History

The company was first founded in 1924 by Eugène Prevost (1899-1965), a cabinet maker specializing in the production of church pews and school furniture, who in 1924 was asked to build a custom bus body for a brand new REO truck chassis. Les Ateliers Prévost, as the company was then called, received several repeat orders. Between 1937-1939 Provost Car's first bus manufacturing plant was built. Initially the vehicles were built around a wooden frame but in 1945 this was changed so that the bodies were all made of metal.

The company was acquired by Paul Normand in 1957. In 1969, two American businessmen, Thomas Harbison and William Campbell, formed a partnership with André Normand, then President of Prevost, to become the company’s owners. These three men, in turn, sold Prevost to Volvo Bus Corporation in 1995.^[2]

The company now (February 2007) has 1,337 employees and operates six parts and service centers located across North America.

The latest models saw the XLII thoroughly revised, now with a longer wheelbase to provide more storage and a smoother ride. This, along with many other changes, marked the beginning of the new X3-45.

The flagship H3-45 received some further enhancements in 2006 with GPS and a destination sign made an option. As well as this, the new Delta sound system was also developed to provide improved sound throughout the cabin.

For the new EPA 2007 Standards, Prevost now offers an innovative installation of the Diesel Particulate Filter and the Rooftop Diffuser for Increased Safety, Performance, Serviceability and Security. The standard Detroit Diesel has been uprated from 12.7 litres to 14 litres for the model year 2007.

For the 2008 model year, Prevost have introduced a new Volvo DH13 Series engine from their parent company as an option to the current Detroit Diesel Series 60 offering. Further to the earlier announcement that Detroit Diesel will not be offering engines to companies outside the Daimler group, this decision has been reversed and the new line of Detroit Diesel engines including the DD15 will be made available to bus and coach manufacturers^[3]. Prevost have yet to make an announcement regarding the availability of the DD15 with its products.

A set of new interior colour schemes have been developed for the 2008 model year to provide a modern feel to the interior. There are three "trim levels" ranging from fabric to leather and wood.

Current products

Passenger coaches:

• H3-Series (available in 41' and 45' length's)
• X3-45
• Volvo 9700

Bus shells:

• H3-45 VIP
• XLII-Series
• XLII Entertainer

Former products

• H5-60 passenger coach
• H3-40 passenger coach
• XLII (now known as the X3-45)
• XL40 Le Mirage XL passenger coach
• 50-PI-33
• Champion
• Marathon
• Prestige

Notes

1. ^ http://www.prevostcar.com/cgi-bin/pages.cgi?page=about
2. ^ http://www.prevostcar.com/cgi-bin/pages.cgi?page=about_heritage
3. ^ http://www.detroitdiesel.com/about/press/pressreleases/detail.aspx?id=879

External links

• Official website
• Barraclou.com - Miscellaneous Prevost coaches
• busexplorer.com Prevost page
• Marathon Coach, Inc.

Categories: Bus manufacturers | Manufacturing companies of Canada | Companies established in 1924 | Volvo Buses | Motor vehicle assembly plants in Canada | Companies based in Quebec