DC Vans
DaimlerChrysler has added a cab-chassis model, with 8,440 or 9,900 GVW ratings and choice of three wheelbases, to its Freightliner-badged Sprinter panel-van and bus offerings. Vehicles come from Germany, but assembly in South Carolina should start in early fall. DC Vans has signed up 73 dealers (some are Dodge dealers) with a target of 140 to 160 by year's end.
Dodge
Heavy duty 2500 and 3500 get new bold styling and new engines: 5.7-liter (350-cubic-inch) Hemi Magnum gasoline V8 and High Output (305 hp/555 lbs-ft.) Cummins ISB Turbodiesel. Standard Output Cummins and gasoline V10 are still available. At first the Cummins HO comes only with a 6-speed manual transmission, but a beefed-up automatic is rumored to be in the works. Dodge's Business Link program announced last year has signed up 84,000 customers with 320,000 vehicles, two-thirds of them non-Dodges, the division says.
Ford
The company sees new opportunities for "short conventional" E550 cab-chassis model, available with optional 10-inch cab extension that provides extra leg room. BBC on extended-cab E is 98 inches (vs. 118 inches on F series) for better urban maneuverability. New International-built 6-liter PowerStroke diesel with a new, beefy TorqShift 5-speed automatic transmission will be available later this year. Current F650/750 continue into autumn while first Blue Diamond mediums, with Ford cabs and restyled noses on International chassis, are due in December. New trucks will have the new PowerStroke, plus EGR'd Cummins ISB and Caterpillar 3126E.
Freightliner
Business Class M2 with 106-inch BBC is now in production, while 100- and 112-inch BBC models will follow in 2003. Current Business Class will phase out as the new M2s come on line. Crewcab and extended cab are among cab options. All are standard with Mercedes-Benz powertrains, including M-B manual transmissions.<
Freightliner Custom Chassis
Specialty business includes police command/communications vehicles, with large bodies and gear installation by Lynch Diversified Vehicles. Most FCCCs, though, are package delivery trucks. Model MT45 has been completely redesigned with new cooling and other equipment to take EGR'd Cummins ISB. Frame has straight rails with "clean" tops for easier body mounting. Non- EGR Mercedes-Benz 900 diesels are also available on various models.
General Motors
New GMT560 medium conventionals (GMC TopKick/Chevy Kodiak), with larger van-based cabs and other advancements, went into production at Flint, Mich., plant in July as C models were phased out in Janesville, Wis. New-series 3500/4500/5500s continue to sell well and the old 3500HD went out of production last month, too. Isuzu continues to make lighter-duty W and WT series LCF models with Chevy and GMC badges, and uses Isuzu cabs for heavier LCFs with Cat or Duramax power.
Hino
Medium-duty models carry over with few changes, but plans proceed for a new conventional to be assembled in California, along with other cab-chassis vehicles, in time for the '04 model year. Announcement will come soon, say Hino's marketers. New diesels are due in '05 model year.
International
Four-door crewcab and two-door extended cab are new options for the 4000 series. A 4200 with new 6-liter VT365 V8 diesel is now in production; the new smaller but more efficient EGR'd engine replaces the 7.3-liter T444E (and Ford's 7.3 PowerStroke). The "high performance" range now extends into Class 8 with 7000 and 8000 series.
Isuzu
Continues with low-cab-forward models for its own dealers and for GMC and Chevy dealers. In January, the Class 3 NPR Gas gets GM's 6-liter gasoline V8 (replacing the venerable Vortec 5700/350 V8) mated to a Hydra-matic automatic.
Kenworth
T300 conventional's sales have gone up by about 1,000 units, to an anticipated 3,500 this year, as buyers who want a long-lasting truck learn about KW's product from enthusiastic dealers, the company says. They are also gearing up for sales of the DAF-made LCF, which extends KW's line to Class 5.
MACK
Freedom LCF has replaced the Mid-Liner (both from Renault VI of France). New truck has roomier, quieter cabs (in standard and extra lengths) with fold-down seats, side sun shades, flip-down writing surface on the steering wheel hub, and other comfort and convenience features. There'll be no Freedom conventional.
Mitsubishi Fuso
Horsepower was upped in most models last year, and the lineup is "static" for the coming year. One recent addition was a four-door crewcab version of its Class 4 cabover which has appeal for some operators. Like other importers, Mitsubishi is hoping for an economic recovery to bring back healthy sales.
Nissan UD
UD 2600 is now available with Allison 2400 automatic transmission. Recently announced UD 1200 and 1400 get upgrades like woodgrain instrument panels, overhead storage space above the windshield, standard power windows and door locks, and daytime running lights.
Peterbilt
Model 330 conventional has won its second J.D. Power award for customer satisfaction, and continues with long-life features for customers who want low life-cycle costs. Class 6 version with hydraulic brakes for non-CDL drivers has led to extra sales, and new DAF-made LCF extends Pete line to Class 5 and adds to dealer offerings.
Sterling
All '03 models get new frames with higher strength crossmembers and rails that eliminate most need for L-section reinforcements. New low- or no-maintenance front and rear suspensions and lighter-weight aluminum fuel tanks will be standard, as are Mercedes-Benz engines and transmissions. Cabs are same as now, but numerical model designations are being dropped.
Workhorse Custom Chassis
Workhorse FT is the only walk-in van sold with a complete body, as Union City Body, a sister company, is next door in Union City, IN. Workhorse also supplies stripped chassis for equipping with aluminum bodies from Grumman Olson, Utilimaster and Innovan.
