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Daimler Buses North America (DBNA) was Daimler's North America bus division, incorporating the Orion, Setra, and Dodge Sprinter brands. Due to the spinoff of Daimler's truck division on December 1, 2021, it merged into Daimler Truck North America.

History

In 1999, Thomas Dennis was formed as a joint venture between Thomas Built Buses of the United States (51%) and Dennis of England (49%).

If manufactured a version of the Dennis Dart, engineered for the North American market, in a new facility located in Greensboro, North Carolina. The SLF200 was reengineered in 2002 to use a Mercedes-Benz engine and electrics. Dennis had hoped to develop a 40 ft transit bus, but instead DaimlerChrysler subsequently bought Orion Bus Industries. As a result, Mayflower terminated the joint venture, selling its 49 per cent interest to partner DaimlerChrysler. Mayflower stated it wanted to concentrate on double-deckers, citing the success of their double-decker fleets in New York and Vancouver.

Thomas Dennis was renamed DaimlerChrysler Commercial Buses North America in 2003.

In 2007 the company changed its name from DaimlerChrysler Commercial Buses North America to Daimler Buses North America after Daimler-Benz and Chrysler Corporation Demerged and parted ways when Daimler-Benz sold the Chrysler Corporation to Cerberus Capital Management.

Models

• SLF200-series (SLF229, SLF232, SLF235) - Powered by diesel or compressed natural gas, discontinued in 2005
• CL100 cutaway bus
• Sprinter
• Setra S and SG series
• Orion V
• Orion VI
• Orion VII

References

1. Bus alliance may add new jobs News & Record June 28, 1999
2. Thomas Built Buses finds ideal partner in Freightliner Daimler
3. Mayflower The Times 31 July 2002; pg. 24; issue 67517
4. Thomas Dennis Co adopts new name Metro Magazine 14 May 2003
5. DaimerCrysler Commercial buses launches new Website Metro Magazine March 11, 2003
6. Daimler Buses North America website

External links

• DaimlerChrysler Buses North America

• Bus manufacturers of the United States
• Companies based in Greensboro, North Carolina
• Daimler Truck
• Dennis Group
• Motor vehicle assembly plants in North Carolina
• Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1999
• 1999 establishments in North Carolina