CORONA, Calif. Stallion Bus Industries, one of the handful of new manufacturers trying to carve out a niche in the 35-foot coach market, has named a new vice president of manufacturing and announced plans to introduce a 30-seat model.

Stallion sprang on the scene 18 months ago with the Sunliner, initially introduced as a 35-foot model, featuring a body built in China mounted on the popular Freightliner XBR-series, rear-engine chassis.

Jim Larue, a veteran bus manufacturing executive and engineer who traces his industry roots back more than 35 years to Eagle International in Brownsville, Texas, now heads Stallions manufacturing operation in Corona, near Los Angeles.

Larues industry experience also includes working at Transportation Manufacturing Corp. in Roswell, N.M.; at transit bus maker New Flyer Industries, where he was director of manufacturing, and at Neoplan in Lamar, Colo., where he was the companys last vice president of manufacturing. Neoplan was shutdown just over two years ago.

Stallion and its body-on-rail Sunliner models present a new challenge for Larue that hes excited about tackling.

He says Stallion buses are designed and built with customers drivers and maintenance departments in mind. "Ergonomics play an essential role in each vehicle," says Larue. "Placement of driver controls and easy access to vehicle maintenance points definitely make a Stallion coach user friendly."

Larue also says Stallion is determined to deliver high quality buses that are safe, fuel efficient, durable and perform.

"Stallion takes the lead over the competition by offering almost twice the fuel economy of conventional coaches (read 45-footers) at approximately half the cost. The environment benefits as well, as less fuel usage equals less pollution."

The Stallion Sunliner comes equipped with a Cummins ISB engine, ZF independent suspension that allows a 60-degree wheel cut, and front air suspension.

The 30-seat model, known as the 800 series, will be introduced in the fourth quarter of this year, says Larue.

Stallion coaches are covered by a five-year/300,000 mile comprehensive warranty that, says Larue, stands on its own merits as being among the best offered in the industry.

Stallion Bus is headquartered in New Milford, Conn., with direct sales outlets in Connecticut, Florida, North Carolina, Michigan, Arizona and California.