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[[Image:Vicinity Motor Corp logo-a.png|300px|right]]
'''Vicinity Motor Corp.''' (TSX: VMC), formerly '''Grande West Transportation International Ltd.''', is a Canadian commercial vehicle manufacturer headquartered in Aldergrove, British Columbia. The company designed, engineered and manufactures a line of low-floor transit midibuses and is the exclusive distributor of [[Optimal Electric Vehicles]] models.<ref>[https://ca.style.yahoo.com/vicinity-motor-corp-enters-ev-070000617.html]</ref>

==History==
Grande West was founded by successful businessman and entrepreneur William Trainer, in 2008, to design and develop a 27.5 foot bus in response to a need in Canada for a heavy-duty, accessible low-floor community shuttle bus. The Grande West Team worked closely with BC Transit to create a unique and innovative transportation solution that met the rough Canadian environment. With thoughtful care and dedication to build a heavy-duty bus, Grande West developed the 27.5 foot [[Grande West Vicinity|Vicinity]] bus.

In 2009, Grande West sought out [[Yangzhou Yaxing Motor Coach Company|Yaxing Motor Coach Company]] to partner with in the production of the Vicinity buses overseas. Yaxing manufactured [[Mercedes-Benz]] motor coaches as part of a joint venture and is a subsidiary of the Weichai Group, a company with over $10 billion in revenue per annum.

The first Vicinity bus prototype was delivered in February 2010, as part of a beta-testing program. The Vicinity bus debuted in its first trial during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Initial trials, evaluations and passenger surveys were completed for 21 months during the Vicinity bus’ tour of B.C. During the tour, the bus encountered a variety of extreme climate conditions and difficult terrain. The Vicinity has received certification by the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard, Transport Canada and the British Columbian Ministry of Transportation.

In January 2013, Grande West entered an agreement with City View Bus Sales & Service Ltd., where they will be the exclusive dealer of the Vicinity bus for Eastern Canada. City View is a Canadian owned and operated bus distributor specializing in mid-sized, community shuttle buses. In their first year, City View had sold 16 Vicinity buses in Eastern Canada.

Initial deliveries of 15 Vicinity buses occurred in August 2013 to BC Transit. Sales efforts across Canada have resulted in orders being received and production scaling up.

On December 20th, 2013, Grande West Transportation completed its initial public offering and went public on the Toronto Stock Exchange, trading as a Venture with the symbol V.BUS.

In November, 2014, Grande West announced the launch of the 30 foot Vicinity bus at the Canadian Urban Transit Association’s fall conference and trade show in Niagara Falls. The 30 foot model was designed with optional two passenger doors, catered to the specifications of the Ontario public transit market.

The Vicinity bus was determined compliant with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (“FMVSS”) for the United States in April 2015, allowing the Vicinity bus to be sold to the US market.

On June 1st, 2015 Grande West announced that it has entered into an exclusive bus distribution agreement with ABG Distribution LLC (“ABG”), operating nationwide as the Alliance Bus Group. Under the terms of this agreement, ABG will distribute, market, sell and provide full service support for Grande West manufactured Vicinity buses through its established sales and service locations and select appointed dealers. Grande West also announced the production of a 35 foot model.

Building further on their relationship, ABG invested over $1 million USD to support the manufacturing of Grande West buses at their existing 70,000 square-foot facility in Atlanta, Georgia. Operations began at the start of October 2017.<ref>[http://grandewest.com/index.php/investors/press-releases/2017/288-grande-west-provides-management-update-and-third-quarter-earnings-date Grande West provides management update and third quarter earnings date]. Press release. 02 October 2017. Grande West Transportation.</ref>

In October 2017, Grande West held an exclusive unveiling of a new small-sized, medium duty multi-purpose transit vehicle. This "crossover" will be offered in lengths of 22 to 28 feet and will be powered by a rear-mounted [[General Motors]] gasoline engine with an [[Allison]] automatic transmission. A 27.5-foot operational mock-up was displayed to attendees. Design and development is ongoing with input from transit agencies and private operators.<ref>[https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/grande-west-unveils-new-medium-duty-multi-purpose-transit-vehicle-650385063.html Grande West Unveils New Medium-Duty Multi-Purpose Transit Vehicle]. Press release. 11 October 2017. Grande West Transportation.</ref> Grande West officially launched the [[Grande West Vicinity LT|Vicinity LT]] at the start of July 2019 with deliveries expected in January 2020.<ref name=pr1>Grande West Launches New Medium Duty Multi-Purpose Transit Vehicle. Press release. 02 July 2019. Grande West Transportation.</ref>

On May 28th, 2019, Grande West announced that it has entered a vehicle assembly agreement with Spartan Motors to expand U.S. manufacturing.<ref>[https://vicinitybus.com/news/grande-west-expands-u-s-manufacturing-with-spartan-motors-contract/ Grande West Expands U.S. Manufacturing with Spartan Motors Contract]. Press release. 28 May 2019. Grande West Transportation.</ref>

Grande West Transportation Group consolidated its shares and changed its name to Vicinity Motor Corp. on 29 March 2021, after receiving shareholder approval.<ref>[https://www.accesswire.com/637340/Grande-West-Transportation-Group-Announces-Effective-Date-of-Share-Consolidation Grande West Transportation Group Announces Effective Date of Share Consolidation]. Press release. 25 March 2021. Grande West Transportation.</ref>

On June 2, 2021, VMC announced its entry into the medium-duty commercial truck market with the VMC 1200 Class 3 electric truck.<ref>[https://s3.amazonaws.com/b2icontent.irpass.cc/2542/rl99791.pdf Vicinity Motor Corp. Announces Entry into Medium-Duty Electric Truck Market]. Press release. 2 June 2021. Vicinity Motor Corp.</ref>

VMC broke ground on its new U.S. assembly plant and R&D facility in Ferndale, WA on July 9, 2021. The new facility will produce and support VMC's bus and truck product lines with a capacity of up to 1,000 vehicles a year and is expected to begin operation in the first half of 2022.<ref>[https://www.aldergrovestar.com/business/aldergrove-based-bus-company-vicinity-motor-corp-expands-south-of-the-border/ Aldergrove-based bus company Vicinity Motor Corp expands south of the border]</ref>

In August 2024 financial difficulties at VMC emerged after they received notice  from Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) and Export Development Canada (EDC) demanding full payment of the outstanding debt balances under their respective credit facilities. An agreement was reached to execute a workout and financial restructuring plan. However in October 2024, VMC indicated that the restructuring was unsuccessful and the company was faced with shutting down.<ref>“Vicinity Motor Corp. Notification of Workout Plan Conclusion Without Successful Financial Restructuring.” Press release. 11 October 2024.</ref> In November 2024, a new company called [[Raeda Dynamics]] appeared to have acquired the Vicinity Classic design. It is being sold as the [[Raeda Dynamics Medius]].

==Facilities==
*'''Office:''' 3168 262nd Street, Aldergrove, BC, V4W 2Z6
*'''Parts & Service:''' 26180 31B Avenue, Aldergrove, BC, V4W 2Z6

==Current Models==
===Buses===
* [[Vicinity Classic]] 27.5', 30', 33', 35' and 38'
* [[Vicinity Lightning]] 28'
* [[Vicinity LT]] 26' and 28'
===Trucks===
* VMC 1200
==Former Models==
===Buses===
* [[Optimal Electric Vehicles|Optimal]] [[Optimal Electric Vehicles S1LF|S1LF]] (distribution partnership with Optimal, 2021 to 2023)
===Trucks===
* [[Optimal Electric Vehicles|Optimal]] [[Ford Motor Company E-Series Cutaway|E1]] (distribution partnership with Optimal, 2021 to 2023)

==External links==
* VMC’s official website ([https://www.vicinitymotorcorp.com/ www.vicinitymotorcorp.com])

==References==
<references/>
[[Category:Bus manufacturer|Vicinity Motor Corp.]]