Bilbrey Stays The Course with MCI® J4500

Bilbrey Tours stays the course with new MCI® J4500

SCHAUMBURG, IL — July 25, 2013 — Repeat business doesn't just drive Bilbrey Tours — it also informs the company's purchasing decisions. Case in point is the Abilene, Texas company's new MCI J4500, delivered July 22.

"We think the new coach is beautiful, and MCIs have always worked well for us," said Lena Bilbrey, president. "That's why we decided to stay with MCI."

The 2013 J4500 is one of two coaches in the Bilbrey fleet, joining an MCI E4500. The new J4500 has a clean-diesel Cummins engine, three-point seatbelts and a media hub for tour escorts, along with all the standard safety and performance features for which the best-selling model is known. The model underwent a redesign for 2013, gaining a taller look, distinctive angled headlights and technology advances including Actia multiplexing.

Having only two coaches allows Bilbrey Tours to lavish personal attention on its customers, about 80 percent of whom are repeat clients, according to Bilbrey. "This is what we can do well," says Bilbrey, who owns the company with her husband, Cleve. Her daughter, Rhonda, is also an integral part of the business, which employs five people full time, plus eight additional part-timers. "We are very hands-on. We make a real effort to give our customers the best value and let them know how much they're appreciated. Our customers become our friends."

Now in its 24th year, Bilbrey Tours started as a home-based business, growing out of Lena Bilbrey's love of travel. The company moved into office space and bought its first coach in 1998.

Bilbrey Tours runs about 40 tours a year, mostly across the United States and Canada, but also to international and cruise destinations. Bilbrey says she has sent customers to all 50 states and 47 countries.

"We specialize in wholesome travel," said Bilbrey. "Whether it's a sporting event or a gospel concert or a quilt show, and whether it's a tour of two days or 15, we will have something to please everyone."

Including, she says, a shiny new coach.

Bilbrey Tours is a member of the National Tour Association, Cruise Lines International Association and the American Bus Association. For more information, visit www.bilbreytours.com.

About MCI

Headquartered in Schaumburg, Illinois, Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is the leading intercity coach manufacturer in the United States and Canada, with sales, service and repair facilities in both countries. The MCI J4500 coach model has been the industry's best-selling intercity coach for nine consecutive years. MCI's D-Series is the best-selling line of coaches in industry history, with more than 13,000 units built. MCI is also the distributor of the Setra S 417, Setra S 407 and Setra parts in the U.S. and Canada. The company offers 24-hour technical support and industry-leading technician training along with the market's most extensive aftermarket parts and repair service.

Press contact: Patricia Plodzeen Public Relations, 847-283-0883; or Motor Coach Industries Marketing Department, 847-285-2035.