It was acquired by American interests in 2006, and DesignLine Corporation's headquarters was relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina.

[3] As DesignLine, it filed for protection under chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Court in Delaware on August 15, 2013.

The EcoSaver is plug-in sodium battery powered backed up by an on-board diesel or compressed natural gas (CNG) turbine engine.

[citation needed] Unlike other hybrid buses, the on-board engine does not run vehicle systems as the battery depletes.

[6] The bus was originally designed as a response to the international tender for ecological buses to be used in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

DesignLine's EcoSmart is an all-electric bus powered by sodium batteries, and based on the established EcoSaver drive train system.

DesignLine's EcoCoach is a high floor, single door bus powered by either compressed natural gas (CNG) or diesel fuel.

The bus is built on a lightweight frame that lowers overall vehicle weight and improves fuel economy.