In 2017, the Brooklyn Navy Yard bought six Vicinity buses for their shuttle service. At the time of the LOI, Weichai Group was already part of the manufacturing process as they provided assemblies and the uni-body frame. The objective is to increase sales and distribution in North America. In 2015, Grande West entered a non-binding letter of intent (LOI) with Weichai Power to explore the possibilities of mutual bus development under the Weichai Group. Grande West went public with the initial public offering (IPO) at the end of 2013. The first Vicinity buses were delivered on AugWhile the buses were designed by Grande West, they were manufactured in Yangzhou, China by Yaxing Motor Coach. In October 2011, BC Transit placed an initial order for 15 Vicinity-model buses valued at $3.8 million.
The company initially targeted the niche demand for green, compact buses in the North American market with their 27.5 foot bus. Grande West worked closely with management and engineers with BC Transit to understand requirements and specifications of the Vicinity. The company built key partnerships with BC Transit and tailored their proposed bus designs to the agency's needs.
As a result, Grande West was founded that same year, led by businessman William Trainer. These companies either had no interest in producing such a bus or did not have capacity. In 2008, BC Transit and Ottawa's OC Transpo issued a Requested for Proposal (RFP) for heavy-duty, mid-size buses from the major bus manufacturers.