Nova Bus LFS (all models)

[Bus_Dealership]

23 hours ago, FlyerD901 said:

Don't let my baseless assessment come off as factual. 

NFI had to borrow money from the federal government as well. 

For all we know, Nova is simply restructuring , and they'll come out with a new model and surprise everyone.

From what I've read from growing rumors about that new "prototype" in camo color that looks like a volvo 7900 it might be likely we're getting a new model

We'll see next year

[Bus_Dealership]

Guys, i just found out this

Volvo buses announced that they were ceasing production of their full body volvo buses to focus on their bodybuilder client at around the same time as when they said they're stopping the novabus sale in the US, so its most likely that it's not only Novabus that is restructuring their company, but Volvo Buses as a whole. They're following the same path as Scania.

"Volvo Buses has announced that it will be ending production of complete buses and coaches in Europe as part of a new business model aimed at improving profitability and securing its long-term competitiveness. The manufacturer will concentrate on chassis production in Europe and leave Volvo-based bodies to others."

"The decision comes after years of losses in the European market, and Volvo Buses plans to implement a new model already successful in other markets."

Volvo buses were losing profits not only in the US, but even in Europe. It might explain now why they are trying to get rid of Novabus

If that's the case, then we might see a future 5th Gen LFS with its chassis being completely made by Volvo Buses, engine included

Source: https://www.sustainable-bus.com/news/volvo-buses-closes-wroclaw-plant-stop-production-complete-buses/

[FlyerD901]

9 hours ago, Bus_Dealership said:

Guys, i just found out this

Volvo buses announced that they were ceasing production of their full body volvo buses to focus on their bodybuilder client at around the same time as when they said they're stopping the novabus sale in the US, so its most likely that it's not only Novabus that is restructuring their company, but Volvo Buses as a whole. They're following the same path as Scania.

"Volvo Buses has announced that it will be ending production of complete buses and coaches in Europe as part of a new business model aimed at improving profitability and securing its long-term competitiveness. The manufacturer will concentrate on chassis production in Europe and leave Volvo-based bodies to others."

"The decision comes after years of losses in the European market, and Volvo Buses plans to implement a new model already successful in other markets."

Volvo buses were losing profits not only in the US, but even in Europe. It might explain now why they are trying to get rid of Novabus

If that's the case, then we might see a future 5th Gen LFS with its chassis being completely made by Volvo Buses, engine included

Source: https://www.sustainable-bus.com/news/volvo-buses-closes-wroclaw-plant-stop-production-complete-buses/

Maybe a name change , from Nova to directly Volvo, and of course a new product altogether. In other words , more streamlined operation. Sharing of parts and commonalities with Volvo products in Europe with the North American market. 

As for Prevost, I don't see them going anywhere.

I wonder if Volvo does indeed restructure operations in N.A, will they also keep the same stance on not offering or producing a Diesel bus like they're doing with Nova currently? 

[2044]

23 minutes ago, FlyerD901 said:

I wonder if Volvo does indeed restructure operations in N.A, will they also keep the same stance on not offering or producing a Diesel bus like they're doing with Nova currently? 

Part of offering only electric might be to save development and production costs. The rumour is NFI and Nova are struggling to redesign their products to accommodate the EPA’s GHG 2027 compliant engines.

[FlyerD901]

3 minutes ago, 2044 said:

Part of offering only electric might be to save development and production costs. The rumour is NFI and Nova are struggling to redesign their products to accommodate the EPA’s GHG 2027 compliant engines.

I thought NFI already made the design changes for 2027. I probably heard wrong. 

I guess this is part of the bigger plan to get rid of diesel engines. Hopefully more development with hydrogen fuel cells comes out. 

 

 

[Mike]

10 hours ago, Bus_Dealership said:

Guys, i just found out this

Volvo buses announced that they were ceasing production of their full body volvo buses to focus on their bodybuilder client at around the same time as when they said they're stopping the novabus sale in the US, so its most likely that it's not only Novabus that is restructuring their company, but Volvo Buses as a whole. They're following the same path as Scania.

"Volvo Buses has announced that it will be ending production of complete buses and coaches in Europe as part of a new business model aimed at improving profitability and securing its long-term competitiveness. The manufacturer will concentrate on chassis production in Europe and leave Volvo-based bodies to others."

"The decision comes after years of losses in the European market, and Volvo Buses plans to implement a new model already successful in other markets."

Volvo buses were losing profits not only in the US, but even in Europe. It might explain now why they are trying to get rid of Novabus

If that's the case, then we might see a future 5th Gen LFS with its chassis being completely made by Volvo Buses, engine included

Source: https://www.sustainable-bus.com/news/volvo-buses-closes-wroclaw-plant-stop-production-complete-buses/

You do realize we discussed this a month or so ago on the previous page of this thread?

[MCIBUS]

I don't know what exact plans for Nova/Volo are, I just hope there still a Nova/Volo bus available for Canada. 

[Bus_Dealership]

1 hour ago, Mike said:

You do realize we discussed this a month or so ago on the previous page of this thread?

The problem is that people weren't talking about how Volvo Buses as a whole were in trouble financially so i was just bringing this up

[Mike]

8 hours ago, Bus_Dealership said:

The problem is that people weren't talking about how Volvo Buses as a whole were in trouble financially so i was just bringing this up

The problem is actually that the bus division is not a significant source of income for Volvo - in 2022 only 4% of revenue globally was from buses vs 66% from trucks and 21% from construction equipment. On top of the that margins in buses are not very good either (2% for buses vs 11% for trucks and 13% for construction equipment).  What this means, of course, that Volvo might think that a better use of its resources is to invest more in the truck and construction part of its business so that more revenue and profit could be shown in bottom line.

However, as I said previously if Volvo to shut down operations for Nova and/or Prevost in Quebec - Quebec government would undoubtedly find a way to buy the businesses out either directly or perhaps through investment by its pension plan which has a mandate to invest in Quebec based businesses.

[Bus_Dealership]

There is new footage of the zebra "Nova Bus"

Thoughts?

 

[MCIBUS]

 

[Bus_Dealership]

On 8/15/2024 at 1:36 AM, MCIBUS said:

 

I dont get the joke

[FlyerD901]

17 hours ago, Bus_Dealership said:

I dont get the joke

The only joke is they keep making this trash bus. Ergonomically Garbage, stupid wheel base, that takes a toll on your body. Etc. 

Don't get me wrong ,from the outside and depending on the livery, they look good. And that's it. 

[Antonov AN-225 Mriya]

1 hour ago, FlyerD901 said:

The only joke is they keep making this trash bus. Ergonomically Garbage, stupid wheel base, that takes a toll on your body. Etc. 

Don't get me wrong ,from the outside and depending on the livery, they look good. And that's it. 

Although both Prevost Car and NovaBus are owned by Volvo, it is clear that Prevost Car is more successful than NovaBus in the way it operates.

[Bus_Dealership]

2 hours ago, FlyerD901 said:

The only joke is they keep making this trash bus. Ergonomically Garbage, stupid wheel base, that takes a toll on your body. Etc. 

Don't get me wrong ,from the outside and depending on the livery, they look good. And that's it. 

In a way its funny because 80 of everything inside the bus and mechanically is build by Volvo buses nowadays so you'd expect the bus to be reliable, confortable and safe

My guess is Volvo wants to make an European style bus in North America but they fail to realise why there's problems in making an euro bus in NA. In europe for example, the long and weird wheelbase would make sense given the old and very claustrophobic routes in some cases. However in North America, the roads are very large so making a wheelbase specifically made for European roads is pointless and cause more problem. This what I expect will probably happen with the new Solaris buses that are coming here as well

It doesn't help the fact that there are rumors that the next gen LFS is gonna be even more european than the current LFS

46 minutes ago, Antonov AN-225 Mriya said:

Although both Prevost Car and NovaBus are owned by Volvo, it is clear that Prevost Car is more successful than NovaBus in the way it operates.

My guess is that Volvo Buses is already a leading player in coach buses in Europe and internationally

[FlyerD901]

I get the Volvo explanation, but Nova was around before Volvo took over. 

Didn't Volvo take over Niva in the 2000s? Same with prevost. 

Nothing wrong with European style buses, but the issues I have with Nova is specific to Nova and not the European design. 

One thing I realize with Nova too is that , the sharp turning radius is only so useful. Considering the swing in the back and some cases the front, it makes the sharp radius useless. 

Based on my experience in terms in wheel base , how much you can actually use, without swinging into everything is the Orion buses. It had a better realistic ratio.

But that's just me. Plenty of ops, like the Nova. But I've heard more dislike them than actually like 

[MCIBUS]

Question?

In NA City buses usually have the wheel chair ramp in the front & have 2 wheel chair positions behind the front wheels.

In Europe(not sure of all makes), from what I've seen have a wheel chair ramp at the middle or rear door depending on the length of the bus and have the wheel chair position opposite the middle or rear door. I'm not sure if like that on European bus modals  though? 

Not sure how they would do with a Euro design here in NA with the wheel chair ramp(front entrance design) & wheel chair positions? 

[FlyerD901]

7 minutes ago, MCIBUS said:

Question?

In NA City buses usually have the wheel chair ramp in the front & have 2 wheel chair positions behind the front wheels.

In Europe(not sure of all makes), from what I've seen have a wheel chair ramp at the middle or rear door depending on the length of the bus and have the wheel chair position opposite the middle or rear door. I'm not sure if like that on European bus modals  though? 

Not sure how they would do with a Euro design here in NA with the wheel chair ramp(front entrance design) & wheel chair positions? 

Hamilton, HSR had wheel chair ramp at the rear doors with their C40LF. 

Obviously the High floor RTS had them at the rear as well.

But definitely not a popular option. I'm sure any European bus manufacturer will make a model to better adjust to NA market. And I'm sure that kind of change won't be difficult to redesign. 

[Bus_Dealership]

Apparently there is a rumor that, since cummins isnt working on a hybrid electric engine for larger bus, volvo is allegelly testing a new engine to be used for new LFS, if the rumors rae true. These LFS would be the first one since volvo took over the company that they use actual Volvo engine. Thoughts?

[981]

1 hour ago, Bus_Dealership said:

Apparently there is a rumor that, since cummins isnt working on a hybrid electric engine for larger bus, volvo is allegelly testing a new engine to be used for new LFS, if the rumors rae true. These LFS would be the first one since volvo took over the company that they use actual Volvo engine. Thoughts?

This is an alleged rumor, so for all I know it could be totally fake since there's nothing right now to prove this

[G.A]

21 minutes ago, 981 said:

This is an alleged rumor, so for all I know it could be totally fake since there's nothing right now to prove this

Well if you think about it a lot of it is kind of pointing that way. Look at New Flyer as an example.

[Antonov AN-225 Mriya]

In fact, after Cummins cornered the North American Transit Bus engine market since 2010, every Transit agency stockpiled Cummins parts while mechanics were trained in Cummins engine maintenance, Offering a new engine is not a bad thing in the Transit market but whether the Transit agency is willing to try the new engine and whether it is willing to order it is another question mark.

Although Prevost Car, the North American subsidiary of Volvo Buses, has only offered Volvo D13 engines since 2010, the D13 has become one of the best-selling Class 8 Semi engines in the North American heavy truck industry, so there are many parts supply and service delership.

[Someguy3071]

On 8/18/2024 at 12:37 PM, FlyerD901 said:

The only joke is they keep making this trash bus. Ergonomically Garbage, stupid wheel base, that takes a toll on your body. Etc. 

Don't get me wrong ,from the outside and depending on the livery, they look good. And that's it. 

I like the wheelbase. Yes, it makes for a more bouncy ride but they turn so nice. 

On 8/18/2024 at 3:37 PM, FlyerD901 said:

One thing I realize with Nova too is that , the sharp turning radius is only so useful. Considering the swing in the back and some cases the front, it makes the sharp radius useless. 

Based on my experience in terms in wheel base , how much you can actually use, without swinging into everything is the Orion buses. It had a better realistic ratio.

But that's just me. Plenty of ops, like the Nova. But I've heard more dislike them than actually like 

I like both about the same. Both have their pros and cons. 

[Antonov AN-225 Mriya]

Personally, I think both NovaBus LFS and NewFlyer Xcelsior have advantages and disadvantages. I personally think if a bus has NovaBus stainless steel body + weight +Tractrion Contron+ low center of gravity and excellent balance plus NewFlyer wheelbase and air conditioning outlet = the best Transit-Bus in the world.

[BusDriver91]

On 8/28/2024 at 9:49 AM, Someguy3071 said:

I like the wheelbase. Yes, it makes for a more bouncy ride but they turn so nice. 

I like both about the same. Both have their pros and cons. 

From a drivers perspective, the wheelbase is a killer for us up front. There’s too much overhang and I find my whole body to be sore after a shift driving a Nova. It shakes like crazy going over any sort of rough road or sewer grates. Yes they turn nice, but it’s a sacrifice they’ve made against the operators well-being. New flyer on the other hand, I could drive one for 12 hours and be completely pain free. I really hope they change the wheel base as the Xcelsior turns ALMOST as good as the Nova.