NFI Group has announced a significant expansion at its New Flyer production facility in Winnipeg, Canada to enable full Canadian assembly of its Xcelsior® transit buses, including an expanded zero-emission bus lineup.
The project will repurpose existing space at New Flyer’s Winnipeg plant and add a new finishing facility for final assembly, expanding production capacity by up to 240 equivalent units annually by 2027.
This enhanced capacity will allow NFI to produce battery-electric, fuel-cell electric, and trolley-electric buses for the Canadian market, contributing to the nation’s zero-emission transit goals.
Construction begins immediately, with the first bus builds expected in late 2025, ramping up production in 2026 and reaching full capacity by 2027.
Paul Soubry, President and CEO of NFI, said:Today’s announcement is a major milestone for NFI as it allows us to complete full buses in Canada for the first time in nearly fifteen years. These funds will be strategically invested alongside our own capital to expand our production capacity and increase our zero-emissions transit bus offerings, which will create new jobs and help create more livable North American communities.
This undertaking is supported by the Government of Manitoba and Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) to advance Manitoba’s green economy and create up to 250 new direct green jobs.
The Government of Manitoba will contribute 10 million CAD, including interest reductions on NFI’s provincial loan, while PrairiesCan will provide a 15 million CAD repayable contribution as part of its Green Prairies Economy Framework.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew highlighted the project’s contribution to Canada’s green economy:This project is about putting a ‘Made in Canada’ stamp on the low-carbon economy. Here in Manitoba, blue-collar workers are part of the transition to a net-zero future, and it’s companies like NFI that are leading the charge.
