The order was placed in honour of Prevost’s one-hundredth anniversary which it celebrated in 2024.

The culminating event of the company’s centenary celebrations was held in Sainte-Claire, the town where Eugène Prévost, founder of the company, was born in 1898.

The contract stipulates a firm order for 250 coaches, slated for delivery between 2025 and 2026.

The CV corporation saw net sales of SEK473.5bn in 2022 from SEK372.2bn in 2021. CEO and President, Martin Lundstedt, stated that Volvo ended 2022 in a good financial position with an adjusted operating margin of 10.7%.

The reductions to fuel consumption in the next-generation of H3-45 intercity coaches have been largely achieved by changes to the exterior which make the vehicle more aerodynamic.

Prevost is developing the new coach and retrofit kit through a forgivable loan of CAD15.15m and a grant of CAD7.5m from the Government of Quebec, through its investment firm Investissement Québec.

The New York operator, MTA has awarded Volvo Buses’ Canadian subsidiary, Prévost Car of Sainte-Claire, two contracts for up to 330, X3-45 commuter coaches, with a firm order of 307 vehicles to be delivered between 2020 and 2022, and options for 23 additional coaches.