Collins Bus history

In 1971, Collins replaced E-CON-O with Collins Industries, expanding its product range into ambulances.

In 1982, Collins introduced its first bus with a wheelchair lift; in a shift away from van conversions, the company adopted bodies for cutaway van chassis, introducing the long-running "Bantam" product line.

In 1998, the company would acquire its largest competitor, Mid Bus (a successor of the bus manufacturing operations of Superior Coach Company). To expand into the transit bus segment, Collins acquired World Trans, Inc, basing their vehicles on cutaway chassis and rear-engine chassis.

In 2000, the company purchased Waldon Manufacturing, renaming it after its Lay-Mor street sweeper.

In 2007, Collins purchased the assets of Quebec-based manufacturer Les Enterprises Michel Corbeil out of bankruptcy.

In 2010, American Industrial Partners formed Allied Specialty Vehicles out of four of its transportation holdings, including Collins and its subsidiary companies.

On March 29, 2012, Collins unveiled the Nexbus series, replacing the long-running Bantam series; the first Nexbus was produced on May 16, 2012.

In 2014, collins starting manufactured the Nexbus using the Ford Transit 350/350HD chassis.

In 2015, Allied Specialty Vehicles was renamed the REV Group.

By 2016, Collins retired the Mid Bus and Corbeil brands entirely, using the Collins brand across North America.