Workhorse marks start of International era with production of W42 diesel chassis

Workhorse Custom Chassis marked another first in Union City -- the production start of its first diesel chassis with an International diesel engine.

The new W42 Workhorse chassis uses the International VT275 4.5L diesel V6 engine with 200 horsepower and 440 lb.-ft. of torque. Workhorse’s discussions with International involving the use of the VT 275 in Workhorse¹s new diesel chassis led to International’s offer this past summer to acquire Workhorse. International¹s purchase of Workhorse was completed Aug. 19.

“We’re very excited about this new chassis,” said Jay Sandler, vice president of commercial products for Workhorse. “Weve been strong in the gas market, but did not have a diesel in 2005. This chassis gives us a great product for the diesel market. Workhorse is the only manufacturer that provides both gas and diesel chassis for walk-in trucks.

“We’re also excited that Workhorse essentially has its own engine now. The merging of this engine’s advanced technology with the enhanced features of our new chassis perfectly reflects the expanded capabilities that the new International-Workhorse relationship will provide our customers.”

The gas version of the new W42 went into production in July. With the fall start of the diesel W42 production, walk-in truck customers now have the best of both worlds available to them, said Sandler.

The diesel W42 comes with GVWR options of 10,000, 12,000 and 14,500 lbs., with wheelbases of 125, 133, 157, 178 and 190 inches.