Blue Bird Announces Alternative Fueled Small School Bus

FORT VALLEY, GA., August 7, 2002 – Blue Bird Corporation announces their first small bus with a dedicated compressed natural gas engine. The popular Ford Micro Bird will now be available on the new Ford dedicated compressed natural gas engine (CNG) chassis. The new chassis features a 5.4L engine with 225 horsepower and a four speed automatic transmission. The E450 chassis is rated at 14,050# GVWR and has a 158" wheelbase. The chassis has three CNG fuel tanks with 18.5 gallons equivalent and an estimated range of 120 to 140 miles. The engine meets federal ULEV and California HDE emissions requirements.

The popular Ford Micro Bird will continue to be offered with a standard flat floor, acoustical ceiling panels, thick rubber body mounts, and aluminum construction. Options include track seating, child restraint seats, wheelchair accessible models, front and rear air conditioning, electric entry door, and electric controlled rear view mirrors.

The Ford Micro Bird will seat from 14 to 30 passengers and combinations of passengers and wheelchairs.

Blue Bird offers a complete line of Type A products in the Micro Bird family and flexible financing through the LeaseAdvantage program.

In it's 75th year, Blue Bird Corporation continues to set industry standards with its innovative design and manufacturing of school buses, commercial buses and motor coaches. Founded in 1927, Blue Bird has nearly 3,000 employees and four facilities in three countries. Blue Bird has an extensive network of dealers and service parts facilities across the country. For more information visit www.blue-bird.com. Blue Bird Corporation is a subsidiary of Henlys Group plc.

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