Ford Motor Co. officially unveiled its low cab forward [LCF] medium-duty Class 4 & 5 commercial truck at the Mid-America Trucking Show last week in Lousville, KY.
Ford’s new LCF series is being built as part of a joint venture with International Truck & Engine Corp. called Blue Diamond. Although both Ford and International’s truck are built on a common 34-in. steel frame and offer three GVWRs – 16,000, 17,999, and 19,500 lb. – and use International’s Powerstroke diesel engine, the cabs themselves are completely different.
Ford said it believes that cab difference will be critical, mainly because it will allow its dealer network to become ‘one stop shops’ for commercial truck customers looking for both conventional and cabover style medium-duty vehicles. The Ford LCF goes into production in 2006.