News

NABI is a major supplier of transit buses in the USA; however, in recent years its Hungarian operations have been limited to partially finished buses exported to the U.S. for final assembly.

“The Sirius is an exciting entry into an exciting market for NABI,” noted Jim Marcotuli, NABI President and CEO.  “NABI has taken advanced, streamlined body styling features from its popular U.S. ‘BRT’ model and has made important adjustments to meet European standards.  And now this sleek, distinctive new body is applied to a state-of-the-art MAN chassis to create the Sirius, for Hungarian public transportation operators.”

Ferenc Baranyai, Director of NABI’s Hungarian operations sees a viable market opportunity in Hungary for the new product.  “Market demand is promising.” he commented, “Local public transportation operators now report collective demand for up to about 3,000 units over the next five years.”

In recent years NABI’s Hungarian operations in Budapest and Kaposvar only manufactured products exported to the U.S. for final assembly in NABI’s Anniston, Alabama plant.  Interestingly, during this time, NABI’s engineers in Hungary played an integral role in the development of NABI’s BRT, the model from which the Sirius was derived.  With its own engineering and manufacturing capabilities already operational in Hungary, Baranyai is understandably enthusiastic about now producing and delivering finished buses domestically.

Production of the Sirius will also help stimulate Hungary’s economy.  Its domestic production will generate engineering, manufacturing and service work at NABI, and it will also create jobs with domestic suppliers of material and equipment used in the Sirius’ body.

The Sirius is a twelve meter (forty-foot) bus designed for city and suburban routes.  Its German MAN chassis uses a six-speed automatic transmission coupled to a clean, quiet MAN diesel engine which not only meets current Euro-5 standards, but already fulfills the requirements of the rapidly approaching EEV emissions standards. Its smooth, six-speed automatic transmission, with neutral bus-stop and automatic lock-up modes, offers excellent economy under all operating conditions. A bright, spacious interior accommodates up to 113 passengers, and three wide doors assure safe and efficient passenger flow, even in crowded urban operation.  But perhaps most importantly, the chic and distinctive design of the Sirius will not only please passengers…it will also provide a bold and distinctive statement regarding the organization that operates it.

The debut of the Sirius included ceremonial delivery of the first bus to the city of Kaposvár.  Jozsef Csapo, General Director of Kaposvar Public Transportation, Ltd. announced, "We have been using NABI buses in our fleet for over five years with outstanding support and with excellent operator and passenger satisfaction. Now we are quite excited to introduce NABI’s beautiful new Sirius into our fleet."

The NABI Sirius is the first member of a family of products designed to meet the needs of public transportation operators throughout Central Europe. Its modular construction enables the derivation of alternative sizes, and its versatile driveline arrangement enables the application of the latest clean propulsion systems, including compressed natural gas (CNG) and the emerging hybrid electric-drive systems.

About NABI: North American Bus Industries, Inc. produces a comprehensive line of innovative, heavy-duty transit buses from 31’ to 60’ (articulated) transit buses assembled at its headquarters in Anniston, Alabama.  North American Bus Industries prides itself on its environmentally responsible vehicles with CNG, hybrid-electric and clean diesel propulsion systems.  North American Bus Industries is the market leader with its sleek and stylish BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) vehicles which offer versatile and cost-effective alternatives to light rail.
 


For more information contact:

Diane Hawkins, Director of Marketing
Tel: (316) 204-4313
or email diane.hawkins@nabiusa.com

Also visit our website at www.NABusInd.com