NEW ORLEANS The exhibit floor at UMA Motorcoach Expo is all about showing off the latest and greatest products and services.

That wasnt quite the case at the ABC Companies-Van Hool stand at UMA Expo 2015 here.

The big news from ABC was the Van Hool coach that wont show up in the market for another eight or nine months.

ABC unveiled the coach, using a 12 foot-by-45 foot banner; provided details, using information-packed spec sheets, and talked up the Van Hool CX35 model thats expected to be in the market by October or November.

Seldom has a new coach received the advanced billing being heaped on the CX35, which is slated for a full product rollout early next year.

Through product publicity, advertising and salesmanship, ABC and Van Hool are taking early and direct aim at the Temsa TS-35, which has become the dominate 35-foot model in the North American motorcoach market.

The Van Hool CX35 will essentially be a CX45 with 10 feet and the tag axle removed. It will be equipped with as many standard features as its 45-foot counterpart and share parts galore.

"We made the CX35 as much like the CX45 as we could," said one ABC executive.

From axles to windows to tail lights to doors to bumpers to the A/C unit to brakes, the CX35 and CX45 are "basically the same bus," said Louis Hotard, ABCs longtime director of technical services.

The sameness extends to floor height, entrance, step-well, parcel racks, restroom, windshields and amenities. The noteworthy differences are engine and tire size, both of which are smaller.

All the commonality adds up to industry-leading parts interchangeability, claims ABC, reducing costs for operators.

"We are extremely excited to round out our product line by offering a smaller, more fuel-efficient solution that still delivers the performance and reliability of the larger Van Hool CX coach," said ABC Companies President and Chief Operating Officer Tim Wayland.

As for here and now, as opposed to a coach thats coming in the fall, ABC provided these highlights at its Expo stand:

It debuted the Van Hool TDX double-deck coach, which succeeds the TD925 double-decker that ABC and Van Hool introduced a half-dozen years ago.

It made official that the upscale M2 series of cutaway buses produced by its subsidiary, Ameritrans, have replaced the M1235 midsize cutaways that were exclusively manufactured for ABC by General Coach America. The 3035RE, a coach-look, body-on-chassis rear-engine bus, also produced by GCA for ABC, has disappeared along with the M1235.

Announced two executive and sales team management changes.

Roman Cornell has been promoted to executive vice president, eastern region and specialty vehicles. He previously held the title of senior vice president.

Jay Oakman has been promoted to vice president of the ABC Commercial Group, with overall responsibility for the new-coach process, including scheduling, pre-delivery inspection, Van Hool relationship management and CustomerCare.

Oakman most recently served as director of key accounts and has worked as an account manager since joining the company in 2003.

Cornell has supported ABC sales efforts since 1992 in a variety of management roles. Along with continued sales and operations responsibilities for the Northeast and Southeast, Cornell also has oversight for the ABC Specialty Vehicles division, consisting of New Flyer, Alexander Dennis and Ameritrans equipment brands.

The redesign of the Van Hool TD925 double-decker, and rebranding as the TDX, includes new front and rear caps and an enhanced driver compartment.

The upgrade also expanded the use of LED lighting and three-point passenger seatbelts.

With seating for up to 81 passengers, the revamped TDX integrates a variety of enhanced features, passenger amenities and styling, said Jay Oakman.

"We believe the evolution of the TDX series will continue to drive market demand for high-capacity transport solutions that take up to 81 cars off the road and reduce the carbon footprint," added Oakman.

ABC also used UMA Expo as a forum to provide an update on the partnership agreements it announced a year ago at Motorcoach Expo 2014 in Los Angeles.

For example, ABC is marketing two models of transit buses produced by New Flyer, the MiDi and Xcelsior.

The MiDi is a midsize, low-floor, clean diesel bus that has applications for use in community, airport, university and hotel shuttle services. Its available in 30- and 35-foot lengths.

The New Flyer Xcelsior is a heavy-duty, low-floor bus designed for use in rigorous duty cycles. Its available in 35-, 40- and 60-foot lengths, and offered with clean diesel, compressed natural gas, and diesel electric hybrid propulsion systems.

Cornell said ABC is finding customers for the transit-like buses among airports, universities, contract service providers, and others.

ABC also has signed up dealers, including DATTCO in the Northeast and Creative Bus in the South and Southwest, for its specialty vehicle offerings.

ABCs first venture into bus manufacturing also is moving forward, said Cornell. The company is producing Alexander-Dennis double-deck buses at its complex in Nappanee, Ind.

The first two buses have come off the assembly with 15 more in production, said Cornell.

And, like others, Cornell wanted to get in a good word about the CX35.

"This new product is designed to drive major benefits to an operators bottom line," he said. "Because it is purpose-built for smaller groups, the CX35 (will enable) greater fleet flexibility and fuel savings."