GREENSBORO, N.C. - DaimlerChrysler Commercial Buses has made two significant marketing and product moves designed to attract the growing number of passenger transportation companies that are spurning large vans and picking small buses instead.
First, DaimlerChrysler Commercial Buses (DCCB) has begun offering its CL 100 cutaway buses with a series of option packages designed to make the bus buying process more like purchasing an automobile. That is, simpler.
The options packages, called Smart Choice, are designed for specific applications or types of service.
Second, DCCB is now marketing a variety of passenger models of the European-designed Sprinter Shuttle. The Sprinter is an oversized Mercedes Benz-developed transporter that can be configured for all sorts of applications ranging from FedEx delivery vans to people movers.
"As many owners plan to replace their (15-passenger) vans, we saw the need to create an easier way for our customers to buy shuttle buses," said Tony Domabyl, president of DaimlerChrysler Commercial Buses N.C. "These packages are ... user-friendly, especially for nontraditional commercial bus buyers who may be replacing their large vans. Developing Smart Choice packages with the appropriate features specific to the application eliminates a lot of the guesswork from bus buying."
Specific Smart Choice packages are available for hotels, airports, retirement communities, churches, parking facilities, hospitals and paratransit operations. Upgrades and additional features can be added.
"Smart Choice packages were developed through extensive research with customers in that field of business," said Domabyl. The packages take into consideration chassis load limits, including anticipated weight of passengers, door cycles, luggage requirements and seating preferences.
Conventional features and options remain available for traditional commercial bus buyers to pick and chose.
In addition to the options packages, all CL 100 buses now feature extra-wide, tinted passenger windows for greater visibility.
Separately, it was announced that the Sprinter Shuttle is now available to commercial operators in a variety of models from DaimlerChrysler Commercial Buses. "We're pleased to offer our customers another quality product for shuttle applications," said Domabyl.
Sprinters feature dual outward opening doors, full-height interiors, independent suspension, high-visibility windows, executive-style interiors and full heating and cooling systems.
Smart Choice packages also are available on the Sprinter Shuttles. "We've developed a variety of packages to provide operators with a cost-effective solution for their shuttle applications," said Domabyl. "The Sprinter Shuttle is ideal for smaller shuttle runs - it has a lot of storage, comfortable seating, exceptional fuel economy and low maintenance costs."