Pareto Mobility Restarts Michigan Bus Production in Plymouth

The new plant at the Burroughs campus marks a significant return for the region’s automotive sector, which saw its last major bus manufacturing operation shutter in 2021. Pareto Mobility focuses on its proprietary Step-Free technology, a design that eliminates interior steps and traditional mechanical lifts. By utilizing a fully flat floor, the buses accommodate both seated passengers and up to four wheelchair users simultaneously, targeting transit agencies, healthcare providers, and senior-living communities across the United States and Canada.

CEO AJ Kumar, a first-generation immigrant holding seven U.S. patents, views the expansion as both a commercial venture and a contribution to the regional economy. The company intends to integrate digital twin technology and advanced manufacturing processes into its assembly lines. By sourcing components from American suppliers and leveraging local engineering talent, Pareto Mobility positions its product as a mainstream solution rather than a high-cost specialty item. The facility will handle end-to-end production, supporting the company’s goal to standardize low-floor accessibility across the North American commercial transit market.