Belgian-Macedonian Business Club

ABC Companies, the importer of van Hool buses into the US, met together with the VDL Group and local VDL van Hool Management the Macedonian Prime Minister, the US and the Dutch Ambassador. The current 33 % tariff on Macedonian products was one of the key issues. Coaches are imported into the US since the 1980s and the American Bus Association sees a risk to their industry.

ABC Company CEO Roman Cornell traveled to North Macedonia, where he met with the Prime Minister alongside leadership from VDL Groep. In addition they also met with the U.S. Ambassador and the Netherlands Ambassador to North Macedonia.

The Prime Minister voiced strong support for the partnership and the success of Van Hool’s operations, an important affirmation as the company is navigating the implications of the newly implemented tariffs.

ABC Companies relationship with North Macedonia spans more than a decade, with over $2 billion in vehicle imports to the U.S. market.

ABC Companies are member of the American Bus Association, who currently faces a difficult situation in view of the US tariffs. They see their industry with over 500 000 employees at risk and call for lobbying via their website.

About 500 coach buses are sold in the US every year, none produced in the US since the 1980. They come from Canada (eg. Prevost), North Macedonia (van Hool), Turkey (Mercedes-Benz) or Germany. Modern coaches are “integral built” vehicles offering superior passenger comfort. Norms for buses in the US are different, so that buses built for the US market cannot be sold elsewhere vice versa.

The US builds about 40 000 school buses every year, eg. Thomas built buses, but hardly any is exported. School buses are technically different and “body on chassis” built which is cheaper but less comfortable.