Allison Transmission Enables First School Buses with Automatic Transmissions in South America

Allison Transmission, a global leader in propulsion technology, is supporting the modernization of Brazil’s school bus fleet with the country’s first microbuses equipped with fully automatic transmissions. Developed by Volare, a business unit of Marcopolo South America, the buses are powered by Allison’s T2100 xFE™ transmissions and are being delivered through Brazil’s Caminho da Escola program, administered by the National Fund for Educational Development (FNDE).

The municipality of Redenção, in the state of Ceará, is among the first to receive the new 4x4 Volare buses, designed for the rough terrain of Brazil’s rural North and Northeast regions. This rollout ensures students—often traveling long distances on unpaved roads—gain safer and more reliable access to school.

“There was a time when children were transported to school on a truck with benches in the back,” said Jane Cleia Pereira da Costa, Redenção’s Municipal Secretary of Education. “Now, they commute with comfort and quality, which contributes to a more promising future.”

Why Automatic Makes a Difference

Available in both 4x2 and 4x4, Volare’s buses leverage Allison’s fully automatic design, which removes the need for manual shifting and ensures smoother performance on mud, gravel, and steep inclines. This also improves the driver experience, reducing physical fatigue and offering greater confidence behind the wheel.

“I’ve had a driver’s license for 30 years, but I’ve never driven such a good vehicle,” said José de Souza, a school bus driver in Redenção. “With the automatic transmission I feel more confident. You don’t miss gears in bad places anymore.”

Built for Reliability and Growth

Allison’s T2100 xFE™ transmission with torque converter provides continuous power delivery, eliminating interruptions seen in manual and AMT systems. The result: better performance, lower maintenance, and greater vehicle uptime.

“Allison is proud to offer solutions aligned with the Caminho da Escola program,” said Gabriel Ruggiero, Regional Director of Operations for South America. “We are committed to providing vehicles that are on time, high quality and comfortable.”