With 530 exhibitors, The Work Truck Show sponsored by the National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) this year in St. Louis, Mo. offered fleet managers a chance to see a large number of new trucks, components and equipment. Among the highlights were the following:

• Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp.’s (FCCC) new plug-in all-electric walk-in van (WIV) chassis uses Enova Systems’ 120kW all-electric drive system technology on FCCC’s MT-45 WIV chassis with a GVWR of 14,000 to 19,500 lbs. Powered by Tesla Motors lithium ion batteries, which provide an up to 100- mile driving range on a single charge, the vehicle is expected to go into full production during the first quarter of 2011 and will undergo testing with major U.S. pickup and delivery fleets.

• FCCC added a gasoline powered walk-in van (WIV) to its product line. The new chassis, built on the FCCC MT-45 and MT-55 platform with a GVWR of 14,500 to 23,000 lbs., is equipped with an Allison 1000/2000 Series transmission and General Motors 6.0-liter V8 engine rated up to 320 HP. Currently undergoing durability testing, the gas-powered model is expected to go into production during the third quarter of 2010.

• Navistar unveiled the new International TerraStar. The Class 4-5 commercial truck is equipped with a 300 HP, 6.4-liter MaxxForce 7 V-8 engine that delivers 660 lb./ft. of torque and a commercial-duty Allison 1000 transmission. Other features of the new vehicle include a 107-in. BBC, a 44-ft. curb-to-curb turning radius, and a tilt-away style hood for easy access to the engine compartment. The Terra-Star will initially be available with a 4×2 drivetrain and in optional extended and crew cab configurations. A 4×4 drivetrain version is planned for 2011.

• Ford’s new V-8s for 2011 Super Duty pickup models include the 6.7-liter power stroke diesel and 6.2-liter gasoline engine. When production begins later this year, the 390-HP diesel will replace the last Navistar-built engines in F-250, 350 and F-450 pickups and F-350, 450 and 550 chassis-cab models. The 385-HP gas engine will replace Ford’s 5.4-liter Triton V-8 in F-250 and F-350 pickups. Both engines will be mated to a new 6-speed TorqShift automatic transmission.

• GMC displayed its all-new 2011 Sierra Denali HD pickup. The sibling of the heavy-duty Chevrolet Silverado will be powered by the 397-HP, 6.6-liter Duramax turbo diesel mated to an Allison six-speed automatic transmission. GMC will also offer a 6-liter V-8 gas engine that produces 360 HP.

In other news, NTEA announced the formation of a new affiliate division. The Green Truck Association (GTA) was created to help fleets, manufacturers, upfitters and government agencies stay current with relevant industry developments while also helping to expand and improve the market for green truck applications. The GTA will focus on accelerating the adoption of green technologies by showcasing trucks and other developments, serving as a resource for legislative, regulatory and funding initiatives, supplying market data and technical resources, and sharing news on green truck products and initiatives.

“Creating an affiliate division specifically focused on green trucks is a natural extension of the work the NTEA began in this area with the launch of the Green Truck Summit a few years ago,” said Andrew Outcalt, NTEA president and president of Meyer Products and Swenson Spreader. “As interest and demand for green products continues to grow within the work truck industry, we are positioning the association and our members to provide the support and insight needed to drive ongoing technology improvements and increase awareness of real-world applications.”