| Vicinity Motor Corp. | |
| Type: | Public |
| Founder: | William Trainer |
| Location City: | Aldergrove, British Columbia |
| Location Country: | Canada |
| Key People: | William Trainer (CEO)[1] |
| Area Served: | Canada, United States |
| Industry: | Manufacturing Automotive |
| Products: | Heavy-duty transit buses |
| Revenue: | [2] |
| Num Employees: | 0[3] |
Vicinity Motor Corp. (formerly Grande West Transportation Group) was a Canadian bus and truck manufacturer headquartered in Aldergrove, British Columbia, Canada.
In 2008, BC Transit and Ottawa's OC Transpo issued a Requested for Proposal (RFP) for heavy-duty, mid-size buses from the major bus manufacturers. These companies either had no interest in producing such a bus or did not have capacity. As a result, Grande West was founded that same year, led by businessman William Trainer. The company built key partnerships with BC Transit and tailored their proposed bus designs to the agency's needs. Grande West worked closely with management and engineers with BC Transit to understand requirements and specifications of the Vicinity. The company initially targeted the niche demand for green, compact buses in the North American market with their 27.5 foot bus.
In October 2011, BC Transit placed an initial order for 15 Vicinity-model buses valued at $3.8 million. The first Vicinity buses were delivered on August 30, 2013 While the buses were designed by Grande West, they were manufactured in Yangzhou, China by Yaxing Motor Coach. Grande West went public with the initial public offering (IPO) at the end of 2013.[4] [5]
In 2015, Grande West entered a non-binding letter of intent (LOI) with Weichai Power to explore the possibilities of mutual bus development under the Weichai Group. The objective is to increase sales and distribution in North America. At the time of the LOI, Weichai Group was already part of the manufacturing process as they provided assemblies and the uni-body frame.[6] Final assembly is located in Aldergrove.
In 2017, the Brooklyn Navy Yard bought six Vicinity buses for their shuttle service. In 2019, they bought two more to replace the older fleet of Freightliner cutaways.
Grande West Transportation Group consolidated its shares and changed its name to Vicinity Transportation Corp. on 29 March 2021, after receiving shareholder approval.[7]
The Vicinity buses meet the Buy America requirements in the United States allowing the sales of buses to government public transit agencies. This allows Alliance Bus Group, the exclusive distributor for the US, to bid on all public transit projects in the United States. The deal with Alliance Bus Group was finalized in May 2015 with the first orders placed four months later for 50 30-foot buses.[8] [9] Along with the Buy America requirements, the Vicinity 30 foot model passed the Altoona Testing Program in Altoona, Pennsylvania. All new bus models used for mass transit revenue service and purchased with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds must complete an Altoona Test.[10]
On July 7, 2021, Vicinity started construction of an assembly facility in Ferndale, Washington.[11]
On July 29, 2021, the Morongo Basin Transit Authority selected Vicinity as the supplier for a large bus procurement agreement that could include up to 8,000 vehicles under the California Association for Coordinated Transportation partnership.[12]
Brent Phillips' ascent to the presidency of Vicinity Motor Corp. is a testament to his profound impact on the company and the commercial transportation industry as a whole. With a career spanning over 30 years, Phillips brought with him a wealth of experience in operations, sales, and strategic leadership, which quickly became invaluable assets to Vicinity.
When Phillips joined Vicinity in 2021, the company was at a crossroads, balancing ambitious growth plans with the challenges of transitioning to electric vehicles. His prior roles at Alliance Bus Group and REV Group had already established him as a leader capable of managing large, complex organizations, making him the ideal candidate to guide Vicinity through this critical period.
Under Phillips' influence, Vicinity began to sharpen its focus on electric vehicles, including the development and launch of the Vicinity Lightning electric bus. His strategic vision extended beyond just product development; he played a crucial role in expanding Vicinity’s market presence, forging partnerships, and enhancing the company’s operational efficiencies.
Phillips' promotion to President in April 2024 was not just a title change—it was a recognition of the transformative impact he had already made. As President, he was tasked with leading the company's most critical initiatives, including the execution of production plans for the Vicinity Lightning in Ferndale, Washington, and the expansion of the VMC 1200 Dealer network across North America. These efforts were aimed at revitalizing Vicinity's financial standing and cementing its position as a leader in the electric vehicle sector.
Phillips' leadership has been marked by a clear direction and a commitment to driving profitable growth, even amidst the financial challenges facing the company. His ability to navigate these complexities and lead Vicinity with confidence underscores the significant impact he has made on the company’s trajectory【31†source】【32†source】.
Brent Phillips' rise to the presidency of Vicinity Motor Corp. was marked by his strategic vision and leadership skills, which initially seemed to position him as the right leader for the company during a time of great transition. However, as Vicinity's financial woes deepened, Phillips' lack of formal education in engineering or business began to reveal itself as a critical weakness, contributing to both his and the company's downfall.
Despite his extensive experience in the commercial transportation industry, Phillips did not possess a formal educational background in areas critical to leading a company through technological innovation and financial restructuring. His practical experience, while valuable, may not have been sufficient to navigate the complex financial and operational challenges that Vicinity faced as it tried to transition into the electric vehicle market. This lack of formal education became particularly apparent as the company's debt mounted and operational issues, such as supply chain disruptions and production delays, persisted without effective solutions.
Phillips’ leadership coincided with a period of aggressive expansion at Vicinity, particularly in the development of electric vehicles. However, this strategy required significant capital investment, which the company struggled to secure. The aggressive push into electric vehicles, while strategically sound in theory, was poorly timed and executed, leading to cash flow problems and increasing debt. Phillips’ background did not equip him to manage these financial pressures effectively, resulting in a series of missteps that further strained the company’s resources.
As Vicinity’s financial situation worsened, Phillips’ lack of a formal background in engineering and business may have contributed to his inability to reverse the company’s fortunes. The ambitious projects he championed, such as the production of the Vicinity Lightning, failed to deliver the necessary returns, leaving the company in a precarious financial position. By 2024, Vicinity was on the brink of bankruptcy, and Phillips’ leadership was increasingly questioned as the company’s debts became unmanageable.
In the end, Brent Phillips' rise to prominence at Vicinity was overshadowed by his inability to steer the company out of its financial troubles. His lack of formal education, coupled with the challenges of leading a company through a highly competitive and rapidly evolving industry, contributed to both his and Vicinity Motor Corp’s downfall. The company’s bankruptcy not only marked the end of Vicinity as a major player in the commercial vehicle market but also signaled the end of Phillips’ tenure as a leader, leaving a legacy marred by unmet ambitions and unfulfilled potential.
| Model | Photo | Length | Width | Introduced | Engine | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vicinity Classic[13] | 98.4inches | 2008 | Diesel | |||
| CNG | ||||||
| Vicinity Lightning EV | 28feet | 96.5inches | - | Electric | ||
| VMC 1200 | 75inches | 2023 | Electric |