American Bus Sales to Deliver Order to Montgomery County Public Schools in 2010

High Point, N.C. – American Bus Sales and Service, the Thomas Built Buses dealer for Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia, has been awarded a contract for 59 Saf-T-Liner® HDX school buses. The buses will be delivered to Montgomery County, Md., public schools in June and July 2010. The rear engine transit-style school bus contract required the buses to meet strict new, near-zero 2010 EPA emission standards.

The Saf-T-Liner HDX is a rear engine school bus that seats up to 90 students. Thomas Built’s 2010 units will incorporate selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology to maximize fuel efficiency and engine performance, and meet new emission standards. SCR reduces tailpipe emissions by treating the exhaust stream with a spray of Diesel Exhaust Fluid. The Montgomery County contract is the first significant order for Thomas Built buses with SCR technology.

John O’Leary, president and CEO, Thomas Built Buses, said: “Montgomery County Public Schools is the first customer to order SCR-equipped Thomas Built HDXs. We know that the district’s confidence in Thomas Built Buses is built on years of experience with our vehicles and is a reflection of the outstanding relationship and service American Bus Sales offers its customers.”

Todd Watkins, Montgomery County Public Schools’ director of transportation, said: “We enjoy a long and very cooperative relationship with American Bus Sales and Thomas Built Buses. In the past, we’ve made suggestions for improvements and the new equipment reflects those changes. Thomas is very responsive to its customers.”

Thomas Built Buses (www.thomasbus.com) is the leading manufacturer of school buses in North America, with more than one-third of the market. Since the first Thomas Built bus rolled off the assembly line in 1936, the company has been committed to delivering the smartest and most innovative buses in North America.

Thomas Built Buses, Inc. is a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America LLC, the largest heavy-duty truck manufacturer in North America and a leading manufacturer of class 4-8 vehicles. Daimler Trucks North America produces and markets commercial vehicles under the Freightliner, Western Star and Thomas Built Buses nameplates. Daimler Trucks North America is a Daimler company.