FARIBAULT, Minn. -- ABC Companies and its partner, General Coach America, say they plan to unveil a prototype of their new 35-foot, rear-end coach late next month, and deliver the first production models a month later.

ABC revealed at Motorcoach Expo in January that it planned to launch a 35-foot, rear-end model for the North American market to compete with the influx of foreign-built 35-footers that have been introduced this year.

The new ABC coach, designated the 3035RE, will have a number of features and components familiar to operators of 45- and 40-foot over-the-road buses. These include:

ZF independent front suspension

Disc brakes

Pantograph baggage and engine doors

Carrier 05G A/C compressor

Goodyear 295-80R/22.5 tires

280-cubic-foot, pass-through baggage bays

The bus will have a 20,000-pound rear-axle rating and the independent front suspension will permit a 60-degree wheel cut, meaning a very tight turning radius.

ABC and General Coach have consulted with potential customers to get input about the design and features of the new midsize model.

Earlier this spring, the two companies hosted an on-site customer focus group at the General Coach plant in Imlay City, Mich., where they were able to gauge preliminary interest, field questions and listen to operator ideas. 'Our customers response was quite positive,' said Dane Cornell, president & CEO of ABC Companies.

'The on-site audit provided an excellent forum to probe customer interest and concerns, and to gather frontline input into how best to shape a product that truly adds more value to operations,' Cornell added.

ABC is targeting the end of July to release the 3035RE prototype with the first production units delivered in late August. Orders are currently being taken.

For more information, call (800) 222-2875.