NFI Group has opened a new Customer Acceptance and Delivery (CAD) facility in Winnipeg, enabling full domestic production of heavy-duty transit buses in Canada for the first time in 15 years, including battery-electric models.
The new site is expected to increase production capacity for the company’s New Flyer brand buses in Winnipeg by up to 240 equivalent units annually by 2027, with about four vehicles projected to enter production each week.
NFI Group manufactures buses and coaches under several brands, including New Flyer, Alexander Dennis and Motor Coach Industries (MCI).
According to the company, the facility allows New Flyer buses intended for the Canadian market to be manufactured domestically from start to finish for the first time since 2010. The CAD site forms part of NFI’s broader expansion of its manufacturing footprint and was supported by federal and provincial funding as well as company investment.
Construction on the facility began in late 2024, while the first vehicles entered production in September 2025. The first fully Canadian-built bus from the site was delivered to Durham Transit in December, with the official opening ceremony held this week.
The facility will complete heavy-duty transit buses for the Canadian market, including battery-electric vehicles, while allowing the company’s plants in the United States to concentrate on serving U.S. customers.
John Sapp said the project represents a major step for the company’s manufacturing strategy.
“We are extremely proud to officially open our new facility that achieves a strategic goal of enabling complete, start-to-finish Canadian bus manufacturing for Canadian customers,” Sapp said. “This is a major milestone for our company, the province and the country as it creates hundreds of highly skilled jobs and a stronger domestic supply chain, alongside enhanced zero-emission production capabilities.”
Canadian officials also highlighted the significance of domestic manufacturing for the country’s clean transportation sector.
Mélanie Joly said the facility will strengthen local supply chains while supporting employment.
“New Flyer’s new facility will design, engineer, and build the transit buses that Canadians rely on – right here in Winnipeg,” Joly said. “This investment will continue to create hundreds of well-paying jobs and strengthen our domestic supply chain through an all-Canadian manufacturing hub.”
Wab Kinew said the project also supports the region’s transition toward lower-emission transport.
“By bringing full bus manufacturing back to Winnipeg, this facility strengthens our domestic supply chain, creates good jobs, and reinforces Manitoba’s position at the cutting edge of zero-emission transportation,” Kinew said.