The annual Truck Product Conference, sponsored by the National Truck Equipment Association, kicked off September 16 with updates from Isuzu, Freightliner, and Ram.
Isuzu announced that its new NPR-XD chassis and expanded applications for the fuel efficient Eco-Max low cab forward chassis that will enable it to be mounted with industry standard van body heights. Previously, Isuzu would not approve van bodies with inside heights in excess of 79 inches due to frontal area concerns.
The new NPR XD has a 16,000-lb gross vehicle weight rating. It will be available with a 5.2-liter diesel coupled to an Aisin A465 transmission that will come with PTO openings. A crew cab will be available.
In one of the more innovate presentations, Freightliner spent the bulk of its presentation asking NTEA members for input—what’s working, what’s not working, and what they want to see Freightliner offer. The central question that Freightliner asked the audience: “How can we help you upfit our trucks.”
Ram introduced the Truck Product Conference audience to its new ProMaster City van. Substantially smaller than the ProMaster the company recently introduced, the ProMaster Promaster City will launch in the first quarter of 2015. It will replace the Ram CV.
Built either as a five-passenger van or a cargo model, it will provide 131.7 cubic feet of cargo space, and 1,883 pounds of payload. ProMaster City will offer backup camera, roof rack with 154-pound load rating, and a Class 3 receiver hitch.
Details of these three presentations will be included in the November issue of Trailer/Body Builders.