Champion Bus, Inc., was founded in 1953 and located on 73 acres just outside Imlay City, Michigan. Champion is one of the pioneers of the mid-size commercial bus industry and began producing these buses in 1981. In 2012, Champion Bus acquired Federal Coach, and began producing a luxury line of buses. In October 2013, Champion was acquired by and joined the ASV Bus Division.

Dedication to Safety

Champion was one of the first manufacturers to send a cutaway bus to undergo durability testing at the Federal Transit Authority’s Altoona, Pennsylvania testing facility. All products are in compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), and more than 26 buses have been tested.  Champion also tests all buses on a simulated Altoona test track at the manufacturing facility.

All Champion Bus models are in compliance with the rigorous requirements of FMVSS No. 220 and ECE r.66 rollover safety tests. In the strict FMVSS test protocol, the steel cage structure of a Champion shuttle bus model was evaluated without a skin or laminate and met a roof crush safety standard that ensured emergency exits remained operational during and after a rollover crash. In the ECE r.66, a Champion shuttle bus model placed on a raised platform and tilted to simulate a rollover crash met a similar safety standard that ensured emergency exits remained operational during this type of crash.

Champion was the first bus manufacturer to become QVM certified by Ford Motor Company. Champion has been ISO certified since 1999 and is currently registered as ISO 9001:2008. We highly emphasize safety in our organization, and often exceed best practices for our industry. Champion is one of the largest custom commercial bus manufacturers of small- to mid-size buses in the industry. In our state-of-the-art facility, 300 dedicated employees utilize more than 194,000 square feet of manufacturing space to produce more than 1,500 mid-size buses per year.

Quality, American-Made Craftsmanship

Champion prides itself on using 1 1⁄2” x 1 1⁄2”, 16-gage, tube galvanized steel cage on every bus, making them some of the safest and most robust buses in the industry.

Champion performs all manufacturing, engineering, compliance, research and development, aftermarket service, sales, and marketing in Imlay City. We specialize in innovation and design and build an array of light- to medium-duty commercial buses, including low-floor and rail products. Champion also offers upscale trim packages on many platforms.

CHALLENGER

The Champion Challenger is a wide body mini-bus vehicle that is built on the 15 passenger van Ford E-350 and E-450 Series as well as the Chevrolet/GMC 3500 and 4500 Series G-Cut Chassis with both gas and diesel trip bus models to choose from. With multiple seating configurations available ranging from 13 to 26 passenger and handicapped accessibility, Steelguard Cage Construction and a Steel Exterior, the Challenger is a solid product capable of conforming to nearly every application.

CRUSADER

The Champion Crusader is a narrow body passenger van-type alternative bus that is capable of accommodating up to and including 15 passengers. The seating configuration is 2-1 in the rear, and it is available on both the Chevrolet/GMC G-Cut 3500 Series Chassis, as well as on the 15 passenger van Ford E-350 Chassis with gasoline and diesel engine options available for both trip bus platforms. The Crusader can be configured for ADA accessibility, with or without luggage as well as a variety of seating configurations. The Crusader, as well as the entire family of Champion Bus vehicles features the Steelguard Cage Construction.

DEFENDER

Champion was one of the first manufacturers to send a cutaway bus to undergo durability testing at the Federal Transit Authority’s Altoona, Pennsylvania testing facility. All products are in compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), and more than 26 buses have been tested.  Champion also tests all buses on a simulated Altoona test track at the manufacturing facility.

All Champion Bus models are in compliance with the rigorous requirements of FMVSS No. 220 and ECE r.66 rollover safety tests. In the strict FMVSS test protocol, the steel cage structure of a Champion Bus shuttle model was evaluated without a skin or laminate and met a roof crush safety standard that ensured emergency exits remained operational during and after a rollover crash. In the ECE r.66, a Champion Bus shuttle model placed on a raised platform and tilted to simulate a rollover crash met a similar safety standard that ensured emergency exits remained operational during this type of crash.

Champion was the first bus manufacturer to become QVM certified by Ford Motor Company. Champion has been ISO certified since 1999 and is currently registered as ISO 9001:2008. We highly emphasize safety in our organization, and often exceed best practices for our industry. Champion is one of the largest custom commercial bus manufacturers of small- to mid-size buses in the industry. In our state-of-the-art facility, 300 dedicated employees utilize more than 194,000 square feet of manufacturing space to produce more than 1,500 mid-size buses per year.

CTS FRONT ENGINE

CTS Front Engine Bus by Champion Bus, Inc., Offers a Mid-Size Bus, Passenger Seating 24, Rubber Flooring, Steal Floor Railing for Seat Positioning, Front Entry w/Hand Rails, Audio Options, Paint & Graphics Packages Available. Over 15 Floorplans w/Seating for 8 – 27 Available. Freightliner Chassis. Available in Diesel or CNG Engines. Six Wheelbases Available.

The Champion bus is available for sale at Nationsbus.com. Nations Bus Sales is a new and used bus dealership representing top bus manufacturers. Fastest nationwide delivery and support, certified technicians, extensive inventory, and reasonable pricing! Browse various makes and models from our wide range of bus inventory.