Our Latest News

Cover Story: Forest River Bus & Van Charts Its Next Course

The bus world mourned when Peter Liegl, the visionary founder of RV and bus manufacturer Forest River, passed away in late 2024. Still consistently working at 80 at the company he loved, Liegl’s contribution to the industry was recognized by none other than Warren Buffett of Berkshire Hathaway, to whom Liegl had sold his company in the early 2000s. In a letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders, Buffett praised Liegl’s respected leadership as well as his humility, adding that Forest River was one of their most successful acquisitions. Liegl’s legacy and spirit are still felt throughout the organization, especially the creative and passionate team that is moving Forest River into its next era. To accomplish these goals, Forest River split their leadership, with Doug Gaeddert and David Wright serving as co-CEOs, both of whom were mentored by Liegl. Gaeddert’s concentration has been on the RV side, while Wright has steadily and adeptly guided the bus division, growing the organization in ...

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Trends and Considerations in Church Shuttle Transportation

At Forest River Bus, we understand that transportation is more than logistics—it’s the foundation of every Sunday morning pickup, senior outing, youth trip, and community outreach, all of which begin with shared need: a safe, reliable shuttle bus. With that in mind, we’d like to share key insights—emerging trends in transportation and what leaders should consider when evaluating shuttle options for their organizations. What We’re Seeing: Shuttle Bus Trends in the Church Community 1. Increased Demand for Accessibility One of the most notable shifts we’ve seen is a growing demand for ADA-compliant shuttles with wheelchair lifts and flexible seating options. Whether serving members or expanding outreach to the broader community, accessible buses are helping churches remove physical barriers. 2. Smaller Buses, Bigger Impact Many organizations opt for smaller shuttle buses that do not require a commercial driver’s license. Vehicles with a passenger capacity of up to 14 are not only ...

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Forest River Bus & Van Expands Leadership to Drive Operational Excellence and Customer Support Nationwide

Goshen, Ind. — Forest River Bus & Van, a division of Forest River, Inc., is proud to announce a series of leadership advancements aimed at strengthening operations, enhancing the customer experience, and supporting long-term growth. Forest River has named Douglas Wright as President of its Bus, Van, and Marine divisions. With more than three decades of experience in the automotive industry, Wright is known for his strategic leadership, operational expertise, and commitment to customer service. “This company was built by people who care deeply about what they do—and who they do it for,” Wright said. “Our responsibility now is to carry that legacy forward while continuing to refine and elevate the customer journey. Supporting that vision is longtime Forest River leader Mike Terlep, newly appointed as Director of Sales for the Bus division. Terlep will lead all sales efforts across government, commercial, and dealer channels in North America. With a strong foundation in both RV and c ...

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Forest River Recognized as Ford 2024 Top Volume Account in RV, Bus & Van Sectors

Elkhart, Ind. - Forest River, Inc., a leading manufacturer of recreational vehicles, pontoons, cargo trailers, buses and vans, is proud to announce its recognition as Ford Motor Company's Top Sold Volume Account in both the Bus and Mobility and Motorhome segments for 2024. This prestigious accomplishment marks the second consecutive year earning this distinction for Forest River RV and continues a remarkable streak for Forest River Bus & Van, which has achieved this milestone every year since 2006. This achievement underscores the strength of Forest River's long-standing partnership with Ford and reflects a shared commitment to delivering high-quality, innovative transportation and recreation solutions to customers. Collaborating with Ford has enabled Forest River, Inc. to equip customers with reliable vehicles that offer safety and superior performance. "We are incredibly honored to once again be recognized as Ford's top volume account in these key segments," said David Wright, C ...

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Forest River Bus & Van Acquires L.A. West Coaches, Expanding Van Portfolio

Goshen, Ind. – Forest River Bus & Van, North America’s number one shuttle bus and van manufacturer, is pleased to announce the acquisition of L.A. West Coaches, a leader in lifestyle enhanced luxury coach design. This strategic acquisition aims to amplify the Forest River Bus & Van product portfolio, offering innovative custom vehicles and strengthening its position in the luxury transportation market. L.A. West Coaches has established itself as a luxury design and innovation leader. With over three decades of experience serving a diverse clientele, the company has earned a reputation as an expert in crafting high-end custom coaches. As an exclusive Expert Upfitter for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter platform, L.A. West Coaches is known for creating highly sought-after custom vehicles. “We are excited to welcome L.A. West Coaches to the Forest River family,” said Douglas Wright, Group General Manager of Forest River Bus & Van. “This partnership represents a shared commitment to ...

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Forest River Acquires Collins Bus, Strengthening Position as America's Premier Shuttle and School Bus Builder

Elkhart, Ind., January 29, 2024 — Forest River Bus, LLC., a subsidiary of Forest River, Inc. and the nation's leading shuttle bus and van manufacturer, proudly announces the acquisition of Collins Bus, one of America's oldest and most successful school bus builders. Collins Bus, with a rich history spanning over 50 years, was founded in 1967 in Kansas City, Missouri, and later moved to Hutchinson, Kansas. Renowned for its commitment to safety, strength, and reliability, Collins Bus holds a distinguished status as the pioneer in the development of the Type A school bus. This groundbreaking innovation marked the beginning of a series of advancements that have played a pivotal role in shaping the reputation of Collins buses as the most versatile and trusted in the nation. “The addition of Collins Bus to the Forest River Bus family highlights another milestone in our overall growth and leadership,” stated Pete Liegl, President and CEO of Forest River, Inc. “The performance of our Bus and ...

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Introducing Philip Podgorny as the New Vice President of Sales and Business Development at Forest River Commercial

Elkhart, Ind., Oct. 3, 2023 — Forest River, Inc. is proud to announce the appointment of Philip Podgorny as its new Vice President of Sales and Business Development for Forest River Commercial. With over 30 years of experience in the automotive sector, Philip joins our team after a decorated tenure at Ford Motor Company, where he most recently served as General Manager for Ford Pro, Commercial and Government Sales, North America. Philip Podgorny brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role at Forest River. His extensive automotive industry background, innovative mindset, and strong client relationships make him a valuable addition to our executive team. As Vice President of Sales and Business Development, Philip will play a pivotal role in driving the company’s growth and expanding its reach into new markets. “We are thrilled to welcome Philip Podgorny to the Forest River family,” said David Wright, President of Forest River Commercial. “Philip’s track record of success a ...

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MobilityTRANS Donates Ford E-Transit Van to Help Pope Francis Center Serve Those in Need

Electric Van Provides Sustainable Transportation for Detroiters Needing Extra Assistance Detroit, Mich., Aug. 8, 2023 — Today, the Pope Francis Center took delivery of a new Ford E-Transit van, customized by Livonia-based MobilityTRANS, to provide safe transportation for guests requiring additional assistance. MobilityTRANS, a division of Forest River Bus, installed a flexible seating system, wheelchair lift, security mechanisms, passenger assist steps, grab bars, windows, and a climate control system. In addition, MobilityTRANS has provided a Level 2 charging system for the Pope Francis Center to charge the all-electric vehicle at its new Bridge Housing Campus. The Pope Francis Center, which supports people experiencing homelessness, will use the van as eco-friendly transportation for guests to attend medical and dental treatment appointments, job, and other interviews, and for moving people to safer environments during extreme weather. The van can accommodate up to 10 passengers or e ...

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A Higher Standard of Manufacturing

Forest River Bus is revolutionizing the shuttle bus industry with its latest state-of-the-art 25,000 square-foot facility, equipped with a Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) area, Customer Service/Warranty Departments, and a dedicated Parts department. This facility reflects our commitment to delivering exceptional products and extraordinary customer service. At Forest River Bus, we understand the importance of customer and dealer responsiveness and expedited vehicle shipments. That's why we developed the PDI Center, born out of our dedication to meeting these goals. Currently, 50% of the shuttle buses produced by Starcraft, StarTrans, Champion, Eldorado, and Glaval Bus undergo an additional post-production inspection in addition to the thorough inspections carried out by our team of over 20 skilled inspectors throughout the production process. The PDI Center caters to the needs of third-party independent inspectors who conduct many FTA-funded transit contract inspections. These inspectors ...

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