ENC Secures Follow-On Order from Academy Bus for 15 Additional AXESS Transit Buses
Second order signals market confidence and strong customer momentum for ENC
RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA, USA – June 24, 2025 – ENC (formerly referred to as ElDorado National California Inc.), a U.S.-based transit bus manufacturer and subsidiary of Rivaz Inc., today announced that Academy Express, LLC (“Academy Bus”) has placed a follow-on order for 15 additional 40-foot AXESS® clean diesel buses.
This second order complements a previous order for 10 buses of the same configuration and expands Academy’s growing fleet.
ENC’s Altoona-tested AXESS platform is designed to be among the safest heavy-duty transit buses available in America. Built with a 304-grade stainless steel body structure, it delivers exceptional structural durability and corrosion resistance. Each model is ADA-compliant and configurable with a range of floorplans and mobility features. Propulsion options include clean diesel, compressed natural gas (“CNG”), diesel-electric hybrid, and battery-electric.
“This follow-on order reflects Academy’s continued confidence in our product and our team’s ability to deliver on time, on promise, and with a true sense of partnership,” said Dan Trujillo, Vice President of Sales at ENC. “We are proud to support Academy’s operational growth with safe, durable vehicles – backed by responsive support, hands-on service, and a commitment to doing things right.”
Academy Bus is the largest privately owned and operated ground transportation company in the United States, with more than 1,000 buses operating out of over 20 locations from Boston to Miami. Headquartered in Hoboken, New Jersey, the company provides charter, commuter, inter-city, contract, and university shuttle services. Academy Bus first purchased transit buses from ENC in 2015.
The 15 new buses will be manufactured at ENC’s ISO 9001-certified facility in Riverside, California – a nearly 227,000 square-foot operation that handles all aspects of production from frame welding to final inspection. The facility resumed operations earlier this year following a temporary pause in late 2024 and is now fully operational and accepting new orders.
“ENC has proven to be a trusted partner, and we’re confident in the product quality, leadership, and manufacturing processes they’ve put in place,” said David Lehmkuhl, Vice President of Real Estate at Academy Bus. “With this latest order, we’re reinforcing our long-term fleet strategy of continuing to invest in performance, reliability, and strong supplier relationships. We look forward to seeing these new vehicles roll off the line and into service in the coming months.”
ENC’s Buy America-compliant transit buses are available in 30-, 32-, 35-, and 40-foot lengths. The AXESS platform remains a trusted choice for public and private fleets nationwide, delivering safety, performance, and operational versatility. Learn more at
ABOUT ENC®
Founded in 1975, ENC is a leading U.S. heavy-duty transit bus manufacturer with over 50 years of experience delivering safe and reliable Altoona-tested vehicles. Headquartered in Riverside, California, ENC manufactures every vehicle end-to-end in the United States and offers one of the industry’s most comprehensive propulsion portfolios, including battery-electric, clean diesel, hybrid, and compressed natural gas buses in multiple configurations. ENC is an approved Transit Vehicle Manufacturer (“TVM”) under the Federal Transit Administration, with all buses being fully Buy America compliant.
A subsidiary of Rivaz, Inc., ENC is committed to revitalizing American transit manufacturing and supporting public agencies and transit operators with a commitment to customer service, innovative products, and stable supply. To learn more, visit eldorado-ca.com.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS AND DISCLAIMERS
This press release contains forward-looking statements about ENC’s production plans and market positioning, which reflect its current expectations, estimates, and projections about its business based on currently available information and assumptions made by management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, and involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted herein.
References to “clean diesel,” “zero-emission,” or other environmental benefits are based on ENC’s internal assessments and industry standards. These claims are intended to describe the potential environmental benefits of ENC’s products and are not guarantees of specific environmental outcomes. Actual results may vary based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, usage patterns, maintenance practices, and regulatory changes.
Claims that vehicles are manufactured “end-to-end” at ENC’s Riverside, California manufacturing facility means final assembly and significant processing occur at our facility in Riverside, California and products may use both domestic and imported components. Specific domestic content percentages vary by model and are available upon request.
Statements regarding compliance with “Buy America,” “FTA,” and “Altoona-tested” standards are based on ENC’s current understanding and interpretation of applicable regulations. These statements are subject to change based on future regulatory developments and interpretations. ENC advises customers to verify compliance status at the time of purchase.
SALES AND MEDIA INQUIRIES
Dan Trujillo
Vice President, Sales