Blue Bird Corp. recently honored 26 of its dealers for exceptional performance in 2012, and Western Bus Sales of Oregon and the river counties of lower Washington was recognized as the manufacturer’s 2012 Dealer of the Year.

Officials said this dealership delivered the best overall performance in North America. Throughout the year, Western Bus Sales grew its market share while providing customers with the highest level of customer service, training and support. Western Bus Sales was also recognized with the Propane MVP Award for leading the nation in propane-powered bus sales.

“We commend our top-notch dealers for their commitment to provide districts and contractors with the highest level of sales and service support,” said Phil Horlock, Blue Bird’s president and CEO. “Blue Bird congratulates Western Bus Sales on achieving the premier designation as the 2012 Dealer of the Year and for its 40 years of dedication as a Blue Bird dealer.”

Mollie Blagg, president of Western Bus Sales, said that the company has always been “proud to represent Blue Bird.”

“We are grateful for the relationships we have with all of our customers and appreciate their continued confidence in our product and service offerings,” Blagg added. “Blue Bird’s Dealer of the Year award is a tribute to the entire Western Bus Sales team and is a reflection of our daily efforts to honor our company’s enduring commitment to our customers.”

Blue Bird also honored dealerships with regional, "propane rookies" and service awards.

The Best in Region award winners are:

• Northeast: New York Bus Sales, upstate New York
• Southeast/Central: Ross Transportation, Oklahoma
• Midwest: Cardinal Bus Sales and Service, Ohio
• West: Western Bus Sales, Oregon
• Canada/Northern Plains: Elder Equipment, Wyoming

The Best in Bus award winners are:

Northeast
• Bird Bus Sales, New York, Long Island, Lower Hudson Valley
• M.A. Brightbill Body Works, Pennsylvania
• New York Bus Sales, upstate New York

Midwest
• Central States Bus Sales, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee
• Cardinal Bus Sales and Service, Ohio
• Holland Motor Homes and Bus Co., Michigan
• Wisconsin Bus Sales, Wisconsin

Southeast/Central
• Blue Bird Bus Sales of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Florida Transportation Systems, Florida
• Gregory Poole Equipment, North Carolina
• Kansas Truck Equipment Co., Kansas
• Ross Bus and Equipment Sales, Louisiana
• Ross Transportation, Oklahoma
• Yancey Bus Sales and Service, Georgia

West
• A-Z Bus Sales, California
• Blue Star Bus Sales, Texas
• Canyon State Bus Sales, Arizona
• Colorado/West Equipment, Colorado
• Nebraska/Central Equipment, Nebraska
• Western Bus Sales, Oregon

Canada/Northern Plains
• A. Girardin, Quebec
• Bus Sales of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
• Elder Equipment, Wyoming
• Fairway Specialty Vehicles, Manitoba
• North Central Bus Sales, South Dakota

For the most improved propane-powered bus sales and marketing efforts, Blue Bird bestowed the Propane Rookies of the Year Award to Bird Bus Sales of New York, Long Island and the Lower Hudson Valley; Blue Bird of Pittsburgh; and Canyon State Bus Sales of Arizona.

Finally, Blue Bird bestowed the Service Award to dealerships in recognition of their number of years serving Blue Bird. Those winners are:

50 years
• Bus Sales of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
• Elder Equipment, Wyoming
• Kansas Truck Equipment Co., Kansas
• M.A. Brightbill Body Works, Pennsylvania
• North Central Bus Sales, South Dakota

45 years
• A. Girardin, Quebec

40 years
• Western Bus Sales, Oregon

25 years
• A-Z Bus Sales, California
• Colorado/West Equipment, Colorado

15 years
• Blue Star Bus Sales, Texas
• Ross Bus and Equipment Sales, Louisiana

10 years
• Burroughs Bus Sales, Mississippi

5 years
• Wisconsin Bus Sales, Wisconsin
• Yancey Bus Sales, Georgia

Other recent news related to Blue Bird:

• First Blue Bird redesigned All Americans delivered in Georgia