The latest options for medium-duty truck bodies
When spec’ing medium-duty truck bodies, it helps to know all of your options. Here is a handy guide to the latest offerings from several major truck body manufacturers. Hercules Manufacturing Co. offers 8- to 30-ft. dry freight bodies in aluminum and FRP designs. Options include walk ramps, lift gates, platforms, steps, insulation packages, hardwood, steel,
Spec’ing for medium-duty applications
“Operators of medium-duty trucks have heavy-duty expectations,” says Kurt Swihart, Kenworth’s marketing manager. “Truck manufacturers are working to make it simpler for customers who want heavy-duty characteristics in traditional medium-duty applications. The challenge in spec’ing a medium-duty truck is to find the right balance between over- and under-spec’ing in order to achieve the performance and
Ford Transit fuels Kansas City on-demand shuttle service
Kansas City commuters will be first in the nation to test a unique solution for increased urban mobility. Urban technology company, Bridj, is teaming up with the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) to launch Ride KC: Bridj, a pilot program using a network of locally built Ford Transit vans to provide a new way to
Proper power: Medium-duty engines designed for medium-duty trucks
The medium-duty engine market continues to evolve and expand. By the end of this year, new Detroit DD5 and DD8 engines will be offered as part of the Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) product lineup. The Detroit DD5 medium-duty engine will be offered first, initially on 2016 Freightliner M2 models. Those engines will be built at first in
Light-duty vans roll large
In June 2014, Ford Motor Co. took a risk by replacing its established U.S. light-duty van offering, the E-Series, with its longtime European van brand, the Transit. It quickly paid off as the new American-made Transit became the best-selling van in North America. Ford is not alone in finding success in the van market by
The right fit: Spec’ing medium-duty truck bodies
“Understanding fleet needs is key to getting the truck you require,” says Eric McNally, vice president of sales for Reading Truck Body. “The right approach goes beyond just the right truck body. It takes into consideration work environments, operator safety and productivity, and ancillary equipment needs.” “Developing a specification to meet our customers’ needs is
Hino Trucks aims to turn truck data into dollars
Chances are, right now, you have at least one notification on one of your many devices vying for your attention. It’s a fact of today’s business life—you’re connected with the people that make your fleet successful. Shouldn’t the same go for your trucks? Hino Trucks certainly thinks so: The OEM has mapped a course to
Eaton expands Fuller Advantage AMT for vocational applications
Eaton Corp. has expanded its series of Fuller Advantage automated overdrive models for vocational applications. Initially launched in other applications in 2013, Fuller Advantage transmissions offer many benefits compared to the UltraShift Plus including reduced weight, increased efficiency and lower maintenance costs. “The Fuller Advantage automated transmission has proven to be extremely reliable,” said Evan Vijithakumara,
Ford to produce F-Series Super Duty chassis cab at Ohio Assembly Plant
Ford Motor Co. has announced that its Ohio Assembly Plant will support additional production of the 2017 Ford F-Series Super Duty chassis cab. Together with Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant, Ohio Assembly will produce F-350, F-450 and F-550 Super Duty chassis cab configurations. The Sheffield Lake, Oh.-based plant, which employs about 1,400 workers, currently manufactures Ford’s F-650 and F-750 in addition to
BOLT highlights one-key locks for Ford Transit series
Breakthrough One-Key Lock Technology (BOLT) highlighted its series of one-key locks for the 2015 and 2016 Ford Transit and Transit Connect commercial vans. As described by the company: BOLT locks are designed so that a single ignition key can be programmed to open any number of BOLT locks, reducing the need for multiple keys. The
Truck orders end 2015 on a high note
Class 8 booked 28,150 net new orders in December, while Classes 5-7 posted 22,450 net orders, according to the numbers from ACT Research Co.’s latest State of the Industry report. “The U.S. Class 8 sleeper tractor segment had its best production and sales year in history,” noted Steve Tam, ACT’s vice president for the commercial vehicle sector.
Daimler invests $22.7 million in expanded Freightliner Custom Chassis facilities
Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) has announced a $22.7 million investment to expand facilities and improve operations at Freightliner Custom Chassis (FCCC) in South Carolina. According to Daimler, the investment will positively impact a number of key business operations for FCCC, including the construction of a new logistics center, as well as expansions of the current
