Innovative Van to Be Available at Isuzu Dealers Nationwide in Early November
ANAHEIM, Calif.—Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc., distributor of America’s best-selling low-cab-forward trucks, and Utilimaster Corporation, a leading manufacturer of specialty chassis and vehicles, have announced that production began today of its revolutionary, all-new Reach commercial walk-in van at Utilimaster’s assembly facility in Wakarusa, Indiana.
The Reach, with a body designed by Utilimaster atop a rugged Isuzu NPR chassis and powered by Isuzu’s legendary 3.0-liter diesel engine, achieves 35 percent better fuel economy than a traditional commercial van while offering the functionality of a custom-built work truck along with the styling and ergonomics of a cargo van. The Reach offers best-in-class mileage and meets the latest EPA emissions standards, yet still provides true commercial truck capability and delivers a dramatically lower cost of ownership than traditional walk-in vans.
Units will begin arriving at Isuzu’s network of over 285 dealers nationwide in early November.
“We’re thrilled that production of the Reach has begun and that fleet and vocational buyers will soon be able to enjoy the dramatically low cost of ownership this vehicle delivers,” said Shaun Skinner, executive vice president and general manager of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America. “The Reach truly lives up to its name—it reaches a new standard in low cost of ownership that no other commercial van can match.”
John Marshall, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Utilimaster, added, “We believe the Reach will truly revolutionize the commercial van market. We have worked extensively to design a body that offers significantly more interior height and width than other commercial vans, and it will have multiple design options to maximize utility and driver productivity.”
“Beyond delivery fleets, we believe this new van will appeal to an enormous segment of the commercial truck market.” Among the industries and vocations expected to embrace the Reach:
- Contractors
- Cleaning services
- Plumbers
- Moving and storage companies
- Home health care providers
- Locksmiths
- Lease/rental agencies
- Appliance repair and delivery firms
- Dry cleaners and laundries
- Heating and air conditioning technicians
- Ekectrucuans
- Airports
- Florists
- Rent-to-own outlets
Utilimaster guided the development of the Reach’s aerodynamic shape, along with its use of composite materials, which together improve fuel efficiency and reduce interior noise. The lightweight composite materials provide a 700-pound weight savings compared to traditional aluminum and steel materials. The Reach van also employs impact-resistant composite panels that are designed to reduce overall maintenance costs. For example, in the event of a collision, the vehicle’s lower body cladding can easily and quickly be replaced with simple tools, reducing costly downtime.
The Reach is offered with a 151-inch wheelbase with either a 12- or 14-foot body. With an interior up to 27 inches higher than a conventional van, the cargo area can offer 540 or 630 cubic feet of storage.
Unlike typical cargo vans, the Reach design allows the driver to quickly enter the cargo area without leaving the vehicle. Its array of modular vocational packages affords buyers a choice of factory- or field-installed options that are designed to take full advantage of the van’s expansive aisle width and headroom. In addition, the Reach is the only van to offer either rear swing doors or an integrated, composite roll-up door.
Additional Reach information and images are available at http://www.isuzucv.com/cv.com
About Isuzu
Isuzu Motors Limited is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of medium- and heavy-duty trucks. Since building its first truck in 1918, Isuzu has sold over 26 million trucks worldwide. Among its innovations are the first air-cooled diesel engine in 1936, the first two-ton low-cab-forward truck in 1959, and the first direct-injection diesel engine.
Headquartered in Anaheim , California , Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA), is the distributor of Isuzu commercial vehicles in the United States America
About Utilimaster
Utilimaster, www.utilimaster.com, a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAR), is a leading manufacturer of walk-in vans and commercial truck bodies for the delivery and service marketplace. Utilimaster designs, develops and manufactures products to customer specifications for use in the package delivery, one-way truck rental, bakery/snack delivery, utility, and linen/uniform rental businesses. The company serves a diverse customer base and also sells aftermarket parts and accessories.
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