MCI to deliver 30 luxury J4500 coaches to Sam’s Limousine to help meet increasing demand for charter services in Texas

Des Plaines, Illinois, USA – March 14, 2023: (TSX: NFI, OTC: NFYEF, TSX: NFI.DB) Motor Coach Industries (“MCI”), a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc. (“NFI”), and North America’s motor coach leader backed by reliable in-field technical expertise, 24/7 roadside assistance and parts support, today announced it has commenced delivery of 30 new MCI J4500 coaches to Sam’s Limousine and Transportation Inc. (“Sam’s Limousine”), providing extensive transportation services nationwide.

Through this order, Sam’s Limousine will expand its motor coach fleet to a total of 100 vehicles, including 70 coaches, limousines, black town cars, as well as shuttle and mini buses, allowing Sam’s Limousine to meet increased demand for charter services throughout Texas.

The MCI J4500 coach is the industry’s best-selling model, renowned for its reliability, modern curb appeal and luxurious, spacious interior with best-in-class legroom. The new coach interiors are tailored to Sam’s Limousine specifications and include signature leather-trimmed seating, tray tables and cup holders, and programmable multicolor interior lighting for superior passenger comfort.

The luxury coaches also will be equipped with MCI’s latest Advance Driver Assistance Systems (“ADAS”), which include collision mitigation and adaptive cruise control, along with 360 degree exterior cameras to help drivers prevent road incidents and a Cummins clean-diesel engine that reduces greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, 15 of the new coaches will feature wheelchair lifts to ensure accessibility and a comfortable riding experience for passengers with mobility devices.

“There is a hunger for group travel,” said Omar Ghandour, Founder and CEO, Sam’s Limousine. “Schools and sports teams are back traveling, and workers are returning to offices and job sites.”

Ghandour recalls that, when the COVID-19 pandemic brought transportation to a standstill, Sam’s Limousine team members kept in touch with customers, rescheduling bookings and accommodating businesses that were needed to transport essential workers.

“We kept communicating with our clients,” said Ghandour. “We stand behind them. We have invested in new coaches on their behalf, delivering on a commitment to provide the absolute best.” 

“MCI appreciates the relationship we have with Sam’s Limousine. In the past 10 years, MCI has delivered 74 MCI J4500 coaches, including this contract,” said Brent Maitland, Private Sales and Marketing Vice President, MCI. “We believe that the foundation of any successful customer relationship is built on trust, exceptional service and support; our team, including our local service center in Dallas has done a tremendous job.”

“Our commitment to our customers is unwavering, and we strive every day to earn and maintain their trust,” Maitland continued. “At MCI, we understand that it takes more than just providing a product;  parts, service, support and training are the keys to building a lasting relationship.”

Sam’s Limousine was founded in 1980 as a luxury limousine service in the Sugar Land and Houston areas. In 2004, Omar Ghandour acquired Sam’s Limousine; in 2010, it established a division dedicated to charters. Today, the company has a modern office and service center building on several acres at 9102 West Park Drive in Houston, which houses many of its vehicles. Sam’s Limousine plans to open a Dallas branch in June.

“The size and scope of our vehicle variety differentiate us as an A-to-Z operator,” Ghandour said. “We can handle all types of ground transportation needs.” Those factors led Sam’s Limousine to its position as one of the largest charter operators in Texas and one of the top 50 in the nation.

With nearly 200 employees, including drivers who are trained quarterly in safety practices, Ghandour attributes the company’s growth to his team, quality equipment and a personal passion for the industry. “Since I was a boy, I admired bus drivers and wanted to own this type of business,” he said. “I care about vehicles, appreciate our customers, and have a good team in place. I like everything there is about transportation.”

About MCI

MCI is North America’s public and private market motor coach leader. Products include the luxury J Series (an industry best-seller for over a decade), the workhorse D Series, and the new zero-emission luxury and commuter coaches: the battery-electric J4500 CHARGE™, D45 CRT CHARGE™ and D45 CRT LE CHARGE™. MCI also provides maintenance, repair, 24-hour roadside assistance, parts, and technician training through the industry’s only Automotive Service Excellence (“ASE”) accredited and award-winning MCI Academy.

About NFI

Leveraging 450 years of combined experience, NFI is leading the electrification of mass mobility around the world. With zero-emission buses and coaches, infrastructure, and technology, NFI meets today’s urban demands for scalable smart mobility solutions. Together, NFI is enabling more livable cities through connected, clean, and sustainable transportation.

With 7,500 team members in nine countries, NFI is a leading global bus manufacturer of mass mobility solutions under the brands New Flyer^® (heavy-duty transit buses), MCI^® (motor coaches), Alexander Dennis Limited (single and double-deck buses), Plaxton (motor coaches), ARBOC^® (low-floor cutaway and medium-duty buses), and NFI Parts™. NFI currently offers the widest range of sustainable drive systems available, including zero-emission electric (trolley, battery, and fuel cell), natural gas, electric hybrid, and clean diesel. In total, NFI supports its installed base of over 105,000 buses and coaches around the world. The Shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol NFI and NFI’s convertible unsecured debentures trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol NFI.DB. News and information is available at www.nfigroup.com, www.newflyer.com, www.mcicoach.com, www.nfi.parts, www.alexander-dennis.com, www.arbocsv.com, and www.carfaircomposites.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements relating to expected future events and financial and operating results of NFI Group that involve risks and uncertainties. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, investors cannot be assured that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements, and the differences may be material. Actual results may differ materially from management expectations as projected in such forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons, including market and general economic conditions and economic conditions of and funding availability for customers to purchase buses and to purchase parts or services; customers may not exercise options to purchase additional buses; the ability of customers to suspend or terminate contracts for convenience; production may be delayed, or production rates may be decreased as a result of the pandemic or ongoing and future supply chain disruptions and shortages of parts and components, shipping and freight delays, and disruption to labor supply; and the other risks and uncertainties discussed in the materials filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.  Due to the potential impact of these factors, the NFI Group disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable law.

For media inquiries, please contact: 
Amanda Wanke
P: 515.474.1704
[email protected]

For investor inquiries, please contact: 
Stephen King 
P: 204.792.1300
[email protected]