Indianapolis was full of out-of-towners for NTEA’s The Work Truck Show, March 6-9. Even the snow couldn’t keep crowds from flocking to big auto companies’ new vehicle reveals. Among those reveals were Ford, Chevrolet, Hino, International, and Ram. Attendees learned of the best vehicle for their business, who to call to upfit their fleet, and what’s next for their product manufacturer of choice.
With such a high-volume of vendors, there was something at The Work Truck Show for everyone. Those concerned with style saw plenty of ways to upfit and outshine any vehicle on the lot. Those focused on power were given plenty of options to maximize their loads. Telematics solutions were presented for the tech savvy attendees, and alternative fuel junkies viewed hybrid and electric options for their truck fleet.
THE NEW
Ford began the festivities with a bang, pulling back the curtain on its lineup of Transit Connect delivery vans. The van got a facelift for a more modern look, and coupled with an 8-speed automatic transmission, the 2.0-L GDI I-4 engine boasts plenty of power. A direct-injected 1.5-L I-4 EcoBlue Diesel engine is also now available on the Transit Connect.
The Transit Connect is available in two wheelbases to best fit your needs, and the interior is redesigned to best fit your personal needs, such as techy features and more comfortable seating.
International’s new MV Series didn’t disappoint, and presenting the truck with a virtual reality simulator was an easy way to give viewers the best idea of everything fleet owners can do with this new truck. Available in four configurations, multiple transmission options, and a Cummins B6.7 or L9 engine, you could do anything with an MV.
THE NEXT
XL showcased its first-ever, fleet-ready, plug-in hybrid F-150 upfit along with its first hybrid electric Ford Super Duty F-250. The XL plug-in hybrid provides a 50 percent increase in miles driven per gallon and is installed. The Ford F-250 hybrid electric upfit provides a 25 percent increase in miles driven per gallon while offering the same Ford rating for towing and cargo capacity.
Motiv Power System’s Electric Powered Intelligent Chassis (EPIC) was also on display. EPIC is a complete, body-ready, all-electric equivalent to the internal combustion powered chassis fleets use in medium-duty vehicles. Motiv’s EPIC chassis family is available for a wide range of medium-duty body applications, while offering the same functionality and performance as a diesel or gasoline equipped equivalent.
THE FOREVER
NTEA’s The Work Truck Show is THE show for those in the work truck industry. Attendees get pointers from industry leaders, hear from industry experts, and bring back valuable information to last a lifetime. The impacts of The Work Truck Show are limitless. If you were unable to make it this year, hopefully MCS’s sister publication, Modern WorkTruck Solutions, can bring you up to speed and entice you to make plans to attend in the future. Until then, we look forward to bringing you updates.
For More Information:
Save the date for the next Show: March 5–9, 2019. For more information about NTEA’s The Work Truck Show, visit www.worktruckshow.com.
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Modern Contractor Solutions, March 2018
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