High Point, N.C. – Thomas Built Buses presented its Dealer of the Year award to Ballston Spa, New York-based Matthews Buses, Inc. Matthews also was named northeast region dealer of the year. Family-owned Matthews Bus has been a Thomas dealer since 1967.

The dealer of the year awards, which include four regional winners and one national winner, are presented each year to Thomas dealers who demonstrate outstanding performance in customer satisfaction, customer service and support, financial performance and overall relationship with Thomas Built Buses. Thomas Built president and CEO John O’Leary presented the awards at the annual Thomas dealer meeting in Louisville, Ky., November 11-12.

In announcing the award to Matthews Buses, O’Leary said: “We have high expectations of Thomas dealers. Matthews exceeded those expectations by actively selling our Type A, C and D buses, to reach 136 percent of its 2009 quota. The company works with private schools, public schools, contractors, non-traditional accounts and commercial accounts with equal vigor, and is known for always putting its customers first.”

In 2009 Matthews acquired Quality Bus and Truck Sales, expanding its New York territory to include Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Orange, Sullivan, Rockland and Ulster counties. In 2008 the company purchased select assets of Florida Bus Unlimited. Matthews offers parts, service, warranty repairs, painting and bus sales to western, central and eastern New York through facilities in Ballston Spa, Syracuse, Dansville and Maybrook, New York; and to central and northern Florida markets through its Orlando-based dealership and mobile service units.

Upon receiving the award Glenn Matthews, president of Matthews Buses, remarked: “I am pleased to give credit for this award to Matthews Buses employees. They take such good care of our customers, by always trying to exceed their expectations. I also wish to thank our customers for placing their trust in us and the Thomas product line we have had the long-term privilege to represent.

“My parents, Bob and Justine Matthews, have always firmly believed that our customers come first and happy customers, in turn, become loyal customers. By continuing this tradition Matthews Buses has earned the Thomas Built Buses Dealer of the Year award for the third time in our history. It is such a special honor for me, my family and everyone else on the Matthews Buses team.”

The 2009 national dealer of the year was selected from among the top-performing dealers in four regions. Honored as regional dealers of the year, in addition to Matthews Buses, were:

Omaha Truck Center, Inc., Omaha, Neb. (Central region)

Carolina Thomas, LLC, Greensboro, N.C. (Southeast region)

The Bus Centre, Acheson, Alberta, Canada (Western region)

Gold, silver and bronze awards for dealership excellence were presented to selected dealers in recognition of outstanding performance in service, parts support and bus sales.

About Thomas Built Buses

Thomas Built Buses 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.

With manufacturing facilities based in High Point, N.C., 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.