4/30/16

VMAC under hood air compressor demo



Vmac VR70 under hood air compressor demonstration

VMAC Underhood Air Compressor System

What matters most you to in your air compressor? Power, performance and duty cycle? Safety? Fuel savings? The lightweight VMAC UNDERHOOD rotary screw air compressor system fits under the hood of your work truck, freeing up valuable space, providing you with the compact power you need.

The VMAC UNDERHOOD is the world's most compact truck mounted mobile air compressor with almost 20 years history. Its success comes from the unique technology that integrates the compressor onto the truck's engine to build massive air and free up the truck's cargo space.

You will be faster and more efficient on your jobsite like never before!

WATCH THE UNDERHOOD70 in ACTION:


Find out more at: http://vmacair.com/

4/29/16

8' Stakebed on 2500HD Crew Cab Chassis



Ron Sadler shows off a great work truck for your crew. This is a 2500HD Crew Cab chassis with an 8' steel diamond plate deck flabed with steel gates. Great to get your crew to the job and carry the cargo as needed.

See more at http://www.LehmersGMC.com

4/28/16

Ford 2016 Medium Duty Reveal NTEA



2016 Ford F-650/750 John Davis Ford Chief Engineer video interview. Video interview Bruce W. Smith/HardWorkingTrucks.com

4/27/16

BAK Industries new BAKFlip MX4 premium matte hard folding cover - features and benefits



Charly Henley, West Coast Sales Manager for BAK Industries, discusses the advantages and features of the new BakFlip MX4.
The BAKFlip MX4 features heavy-duty aluminum matte finish panels that offer superior UV and scratch resistance, and an enhanced premium density foam core. The MX4 comes equipped with upgraded latch housing components, and an all-new integrated tailgate seal that allows the tailgate to be closed with the cover up or down.
More information: http://www.bakindustries.com

Chevy Pickup History - Decades Of Trucks

Chevy Trucks Pictures, Images and Photos

Chevy pickup history began in 1918 when the first trucks went on sale. They were a far cry from the Chevrolet trucks of today, but they made a huge impact on the world. Man would now use motor power instead of animals for work and travel. A proud farmer or rancher standing beside his Chevy truck becomes a common sight.
William Durant and Louis Chevrolet 
The Chevy truck grew out of one man's idea to build a truck that the average citizen could afford to purchase. William Durant teamed up with Louis Chevrolet to accomplish this task. They became a forceful pair. Chevrolet was driven by his love for racecars and Durant had an issue with General Motors. He had been forced out as head of General Motors, which he had founded. His Chevrolet earnings would get him back in.
Chevy Pickup History 
The first trucks were crude compared to the streamlined versions of today. Their basic feature was a chassis cowl with a 4-cylinder motor and transmission. It was the buyer's responsibility to provide the cab. These were usually purchased from outside companies, but often the buyers would build the cab themselves. It would be several years later before the trucks were offered with, or without, a cab.
Chevy trucks revved up for a ride to the top of the market. No trucks were manufactured in the company's early years. Eventually Chevy engineers began to design the vehicles for everyday family use to meet ever-changing roles. From Saturday night dates, to family vacations with a camper on the back, the trucks became a family icon.
1980s Bring Economic Problems 
Chevy trucks had climbed upward at a steady pace from the beginning, edging out competitors. William Durant had certainly supplied the consumer with a dependable and affordable means of transportation. Then the energy crisis of the nineteen eighties hit the country. Chevrolet sales took a sharp decline. Chevrolet was faced with the challenge of making the truck more fuel-efficient. The engineers went to work and came up with a lighter version of their truck that once again drove their sales to the top.
Chevy pickup history has seen many changes from the first ones built in 1918. Today you can recline in leather seats, while enjoying air conditioning and music from your radio or DVD player. Do not be fooled by the frills. There has been a constant upgrade under the hood. Improved V8 truck engines, improved aerodynamics, along with features to keep up with the ever-important safety and environmental issues, has kept the Chevy truck at the top.
Once again, an energy crisis looms over the country. Look for Chevrolet to lead the way, as the car manufacturers endeavor to address the problem.
Old and Still Running 
The fan clubs of Chevy trucks tells a story. This vehicle has earned the unwavering loyalty of its owners. When you see these thirty and even forty year old models in the car shows and on the roads, it is a tribute to their durability.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1648023

4/26/16

Smarter Suspensions Are on the Way for Pickups




In the future, unique suspension systems used today likely will find wider acceptance and offer better control and more flexibility. We expect more air suspension options and magnetic ride technology to provide better fuel economy, load-carrying capability, comfort and handling. It wouldn't surprise us if the computer systems on new vehicles will be better able to predict what's likely to happen next on the road, possibly leaning into a turn at the first steering input to make a big truck feel more like midsize car.

Active anti-roll-bar systems already found in Range Rover SUVs, luxury sedans, and Toyota's and Lexus' active suspensions could improve highway and trail performance for small and large pickups. The Toyota 4Runner SUV's cross-linked shock system is an impressive active suspension system that works as well in four-wheel drive as it does when entering a 240-degree curving freeway on-ramp.

We also predict that as sales of luxury-model pickups increase, we'll be more likely to see more canyon-carving trucks with independent rear suspensions. The new 2017 Ridgeline will have coil rear springs and an IRS, and is anticipated to have a payload of 1,600 pounds; likewise, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris midsize commercial van (also with coil springs and IRS) has a minimum payload rating of 1,800 pounds, more than many half-ton pickups. 

Bushing technology also is likely to improve, perhaps adding a self-adjusting or computer-controlled aspect to them, allowing them to quiet engine vibration or wheel chatter while allowing precise steering. Less vibration means quieter and less-stressed parts and pieces.

And we expect broader application of magnet ride systems, perhaps even grouped with towing packages where damper behavior would be modified simply by engaging Tow/Haul mode or when sensing heavier loads.

Front suspensions may adopt a dual ball-joint lower coupling and have been used on everything from VW Passats to BMW SUVs and the new Lexus LS. This arrangement pays big dividends in bump absorption, handling and directional stability, and leaves more room for axle shafts and bigger brakes to move freely and stay cool.

Further down the road, we expect tuning of active suspension pieces like air springs, self-adjusting shocks or active anti-roll bars to link with cameras and navigation data to prime the suspension before it hits a bump or comes to a sharp bend, making the suspension more predictive than reactive. No matter what happens, we're confident we'll be getting more sophisticated and smarter suspensions to keep our pickups under control.

Read more at:  http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2016/04/smarter-suspensions-are-on-the-way-for-pickups.html

4/25/16

Commercial Truck Training Ultimate Bootcamp Scheduled


Just announced from Ken Taylor and Will Brogan and CommercialTruckTraining.com:

Ultimate Boot Camp
June 1-3, 2016
Jacksonville, Florida

The Ultimate Boot Camp, having to be delayed because of an amazingly loaded travel schedule this spring, is BACK!

We'll be holding it at our usual location, the Homewood Suites by Hilton at the St. Johns Town Center in Jacksonville, Florida, but the dates will be a bit unusual. For the first time ever, we'll start an Ultimate Boot Camp on a Wednesday and ending on a Friday. 

The official start is Wednesday, June 1st, at 8 am, and the event will conclude at 12 noon on Friday, June 3rd, which should still allow you enough time to fly home for the best of the weekend.

We've had three spots pre-reserved already, and will only take a maximum of ten. Additionally, we'll DISCOUNT THE PRICE $300 this entire week,from the regular $1995 to just $1695. In other words, don't wait to reserve your spot, as it may be gone shortly!

What will we cover in an Ultimate Boot Camp? See below! While every single one is different - thanks to a diversity among attendees - a few happenings have become so commonplace that you could consider them "traditions" now! See below for more!

Will and I have cherished the opportunity to help so many dealers - now exceeding seventy five attendees as we start into our fourth year of Ultimate Boot Camps - and we are excited to keep helping those who want to get better. It doesn't matter if you're brand new or have been in this business for decades, we're confident that we can assist your sales efforts!

Thank you so much - I hope to see you in Jacksonville in a few weeks! 

Ken Taylor

Here is an outline of what we'll cover at this event:

 
1. PLANNING: I have created a planning document that we use in all of our commercial accounts. It is so easy to get caught up in the trash that fills your plate every day. Having a plan designed around the specifics of the commercial business is not a luxury, it is a necessity. I will give you detailed tips all along the way to guide you through this process!

2. PROSPECTING: It all starts with prospecting targets! Listen closely... cold calling does not work!! It is an excuse to not be prepared and allows you to be unorganized. If someone tells you they do better cold calling, I would like to follow them for a day and count the number of decision makers they see! It won't be many! Here, we'll provide the best place to start with prospecting for new sales consultants, whether new to commercial or new to automotive altogether!

3. WRITING SCRIPTS: Scripts are a key in getting consistent and successful results. So many people we work with are opposed to scripts. They believe that it sounds contrived or insincere. Do you ever go to the movies? Have you ever laughed, cried, or cheered? Why? The actors seemed real, but in reality it was all scripted! Trust me, scripts will sell your trucks! 

4. THE MODERN SALES CALL: In retail automotive sales it is about "now". If the consumer visits the dealership and leaves, the chance of a sale diminishes as time goes by. The opposite is true in commercial sales - the chance of a sale increases as we continue to develop a relationship, so anything that could potentially interfere with the relationship process is detrimental to the sale, including asking for the business too soon. We'll lay out all you need to let the prospect do all the selling!

5. PERSONALITY STYLE SELLING: An often overlooked component of selling is adapting your selling style to the personality of the person with whom you are speaking, whether on the phone or face-to-face. People are so varied, and how you sell (or allow them to buy) versus another can make or break the relationship development and the sales process. You'll receive a personality style selling card that will give you some details regarding how you can adapt and win!

6. FOLLOW UP: So many sales professionals fall down at this point. They do a good job of getting appointments but do not have a good follow up plan. In this section, you'll learn how to not only get to maintain your great customers by follow up, but you can also get hundreds of referrals that are highly likely to buy from you!

7. MARKETING: Marketing in commercial sales is very different (in most respects) than retail automotive. Retail is a much more "macro" approach with mass media, internet exposure, and to a degree, social media. Commercial and fleet vehicle marketing is very different, with the emphasis being on specific targets with very specific needs. A marketing campaign can be vehicle specific or even industry specific. 


2016 Work Truck Show: RAM Commercial Press Conference



RAM Commercial Press Conference at the 2016 Work Truck Show

4/24/16

Bradley Briggs Shows Off The AG Body Drawer Systems and Options



AG Body of Salt Lake City makes drawers for service bodies, other enclosures, utility needs, or wherever you might need the convenience of drawers--even your garage!

Here, Bradley Briggs of AG Body shows Commercial Truck Success a few of their different drawer designs and available hardware and finishes. See much more from AG Body at www.agbody.com, or call them at 800-786-BODY.

4/23/16

First Ford Truck Exported to China will be a 2017 F-150 Raptor



Go big, or go home.

The first Ford truck to be exported by the automaker to China will be its 2017 F-150 Raptor SuperCrew. It’s exciting news for Ford which reports that the Chinese auto market is the largest in the world.

Raptor01_FINAL

Mike Levine, Ford’s truck media manager, told Hard Working Trucks that there will be no changes to emissions for the China-bound Raptor and that horsepower and torque figures will be released later this year.

“F-150 Raptor will be the first Ford pickup truck we have ever sold in China,” Levine said. “F-150 Raptor is the only variant (of the F-150) that we’ll sell in China.”

Ford reports in its press release that the Raptor “will be available in China in 2017, delivering a new level of capability to China’s off-road enthusiasts.”

Though apparently there’s enough market interest to warrant exporting the Raptor to China, off-road racing there is another story.

“There are no plans to race F-150 Raptor in China,” Levine said.

Ford is very pleased with its plans to export the Raptor to China.

“F-150 Raptor represents the very best of what Ford can accomplish with its world-class engineering and design teams, and its long history of building tough, capable and versatile trucks,” said Jamal Hameedi, global chief program engineer, Ford Performance. “We are thrilled to offer our customers in China the chance to experience new levels of off-road performance with the all-new F-150 Raptor.”

The 2017 F-150 Raptor is powered by Ford’s new, second-generation high-output 3.5-liter EcoBoost that produces more power with greater efficiency than the previous Raptor’s 6.2-liter V8, which was rated at 411 horsepower and 434 lb.-ft. of torque. An F-150 Raptor exclusive, the engine is paired with a new 10-speed transmission that was produced through a collaborative effort with GM.

A new four-wheel-drive, torque-on-demand transfer case manages power distribution between front and rear wheels. Ford reports that the case combines the best attributes of clutch-driven, on-demand all-wheel drive with durable, mechanical-locking four-wheel drive to send power to the wheels in slippery conditions.

While Ford trucks have already been imported into China through various businesses, the 2017 Raptor will be the first truck exported directly from Ford to the large Asian country. The truck will be making its debut there Monday in Beijing.

China’s growing economy has resulted in a surging demand for vehicles. As the middle class has grown and sought more recreational activities, many have turned to off-roading,  The Wall Street Journal reports. However, pickups, like all trucks in China, cannot enter a city without a permit from that local government.  Pickup sales, according to cnpickups.com, account for about 3 percent of China’s swelling auto market.

A Raptor could definitely come in handy in China where flooding problems have doubled since 2008, according to The Economist. Fast-paced urban growth paired up with inadequate drainage systems are to blame.


- See more at: http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/first-ford-truck-exported-to-china-will-be-2017-f-150-raptor-2/?utm_source=hwt&utm_medium=email&utm_content=04-22-2016&utm_campaign=Hard%20Working%20Trucks&ust_id=73ef45b752004fd7c5cf260e66e4ffd4#sthash.dsfqpD6n.dpuf

Introducing the all-new 2017 Ford Super Duty



See what makes the all-new 2017 Ford Super Duty the toughest, smartest and most capable Super Duty ever built.

4/22/16

FUSO - Contractor Work Trucks



Whether you’re a plumber, roofer, electrician, HVAC or other contractor, a dependable truck is the most important tool of your trade. Mitsubishi Fuso’s line of contractor, construction and dump trucks have a well-earned reputation for reliability. Just like you. Be prepared for the new Canter to take your work ethic to the next level while lowering your cost of ownership through superior fuel economy. In testing, the Canter delivered 8.45%* better fuel economy than an Isuzu commercial work truck, and improved to 13.8%* better when the Canter’s ECO Mode was engaged.

It will transport you, and up to 2,200 pounds more equipment, tools and supplies than an Isuzu can carry, to any job site. With its rugged, ladder-style steel frame, a Canter contractor truck can haul it all — from self-contained utility bodies, storage and tool boxes to shelving, racks and more. And with its short turning radius and excellent visibility, you’ll be in and out of work sites and residential neighborhoods safely and quickly, and on to the next.

Find out more at: http://www.mitfuso.com/en-US/Commercial-Truck-Vocations/Contractor-Work-Trucks


4/21/16

1st Attack Engineering's Fire Truck Features from 2013 Promotional DVD



Owner Jeffrey Cook displays some of the features on 1st Attack's fire trucks and shows them in action fighting fires.

Uptown Alurack Case Study



Hear why Uptown Heating and Cooling chose AluRack, a Prime Design ladder rack, for their fleet of work vans. According to Chris Grant, Warehouse Manager at Uptown, Prime Design's aluminum, lightweight and ergonomic ladder racks provide the best solution to fit their needs. By offering secure, safe ladder storage for multiple ladders without rusting, the AluRack from Prime Design was the easy choice.

4/20/16

GMC Expands Military Discount, Advances Campaign to Support Injured Veterans


DETROIT – Today through May 31, 2016, GMC will expand its military discount program for all 21 million U.S. military veterans and their spouses, in honor of National Military Appreciation Month.

“These brave men and women have done so much for our country,” said Steve Hill, GM vice president of U.S. sales and service. “Making sure all veterans can take advantage of our military discount to celebrate Military Appreciation Month is one small way we can express our gratitude.”

GMC offers the industry’s most comprehensive automotive military discount program. The military discount program is typically available to U.S. military veterans within one year of separation, active-duty personnel, reservists, retirees and their spouses. In honor of May’s National Military Appreciation Month, the program expands to include all veterans – regardless of their separation date – and their spouses.

The discount is available for popular models, including the GMC Acadia, Sierra and Yukon. Because the discount can be combined with most current incentives, veterans could save thousands of dollars on some vehicles. For more information, visit gmmilitarydiscount.com.

GMC’s support for the U.S. military began more than 100 years ago when the U.S. Army began to rely on its trucks during WWI. Today, the tradition continues as GMC’s recently launched #enlistme campaign helps the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Tower Foundation and its Building For America’s Bravest program build smart homes for veterans with serious combat injuries.

“Too many severely injured servicemen and women are returning to homes that just don’t meet the needs of their individual conditions,” said Duncan Aldred, U.S. vice president, Buick and GMC Sales, Service and Marketing. “With the #enlistme campaign, GMC invites everyone to honor these brave veterans by showing their support on social media and making a donation.”

The foundation is named after Stephen Siller, a New York City firefighter and first responder who died during the attacks of September 11. It seeks to build at least 200 smart homes, designed to be energy efficient, automated and easily accessible, using “adaptive technology” to help injured veterans live better, more independent lives. Each home costs more than $600,000 to build.

To learn more about GMC’s efforts to help injured veterans, visit ourbravest.org/enlistme. For military discount program details, visit gmmilitarydiscount.com. 

GMC has manufactured trucks since 1902, with innovation and engineering excellence built into all GMC vehicles. The brand is evolving to offer more fuel-efficient trucks and crossovers, including the Terrain small SUV and Acadia crossover. GMC’s highest-volume vehicle, the Sierra pickup, is the most powerful light-duty pickup on the market, and the first full-size pickup to receive the highest-possible five-star Overall Vehicle Score for safety since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration changed its New Car Assessment Program for the 2011 model year. Details on all GMC models are available at http://www.gmc.com/, on Twitter at @thisisgmc or at http://www.facebook.com/gmc

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4/19/16

Safe Fleet inView 360 Fleet Monitoring System Demo



inView 360™ from Safe Fleet brand SEON is a revolutionary fleet monitoring and protection system that gives drivers a 360° view of their surroundings to avoid accidents, and provides fleet managers greater insight into fleet incidents.

Stahl gets tough with polypropylene



While it’s hard to imagine plastic that’s stronger than steel, Stahl Truck Bodies is willing to throw the hammer down—literally. The company’s Razorback service body is comprised of high impact polypropylene which they say is stronger and about 10 percent lighter than a comparable steel body. Also, unlike steel, the composite Razorback will not rust or corrode.

“Durability, in essence, is a huge, huge asset for this product. I don’t know of any other product on the market that can come close to its durability,” says Jeff Jerousek, vice president of sales and marketing at Stahl.

“You can literally beat on it with a sledge hammer. I actually have videos of it—literally hitting it with a sledge hammer and you’re not going to break it. You’re not going to dent it. It is the most durable truck body that you can build.”

But, as Jerousek points out, the lighter, stronger and corrosion-free Razorback costs much more than its steel counterpart. An eight-foot service body is about double the price of steel. An 11-foot model is about 40 percent more.

“As you get bigger and more customized, it becomes less expensive,” Jerousek explains.

A fiberglass body is similar to a Razorback in that it’s non-conductive and non-corrosive. However, the similarities more or less end there. For instance, changing a fiberglass body is costly and rare since a new mold has to be created for each new design.

Steel, aluminum and poly bodies have the advantage when it comes to customization and versatile designs. Stock material is simply cut to fit.

When constructing a Razorback body, a router is used to trim sheets of polypropylene which are then bonded together through a type of welding process. All of the seams are sealed. Steel components on the Razorback include cross-members, flooring, tailgate and hardware.

Another advantage that polypropylene has over fiberglass is durability.

“From a durability perspective, if you hit a piece of fiberglass with a hammer, you’re going to crack the top coat or you’re going to put it right through the door. With this, it’s stronger than steel—literally,” Jerousek said.

“The only way to compare this would be a body made out of sheet steel. We’re talking 3/16 or 1/4-inch sheet steel. That’s the only way to compare it to its durability. With fiberglass, the bolts holding the doors—the high usage parts of the body—tend to wallow out over time. The fiberglass is just not durable. You scratch the top coat of fiberglass, now you’ve got to fix it. Top coats typically spider web and crack and look bad in three to four years.”

The Razorback comes with a limited, “No rust, no bust” 5-year warranty.

As is the case industry-wide, steel remains the most popular construction material at Stahl. Jerousek says that while Stahl does “very little aluminum” the Ohio-based company recognizes the growing interest in the lighter material.

“Sure, a lot of fleets are looking at aluminum. The big idea was to go to aluminum to save weight and fuel costs, but with a $30 a barrel fuel, it’s really not that big of a deal,” Jerousek explains.

“Where we have seen people interested in aluminum is weight. Not because of fuel costs, but because of chassis changes.”

Jerousek explains that two market conditions are driving these chassis changes. First, he says that new Euro style vans which lack the GVW of earlier U.S. built vans, such as Ford’s E-Series, end up with lackluster payload capacity when paired up with a steel body. As a result, the demand for aluminum bodies for new Euro style vans has substantially increased.

“The other reason for this is that some fleets are looking to downsize chassis. So to save money on what they used to buy—450s and 550s—they want to now buy a 350 application and then take a thousand pounds out of the body and aluminum allows them to do that,” Jerousek says.

While Stahl is looking into working with aluminum more, Jerousek says the company is approaching the material cautiously given concerns over durability.

“Aluminum is probably from a demand perspective today, less than 20 percent of the total market. It’s going to grow. But here’s the thing—aluminum is not a silver bullet. Steel is more durable than aluminum.

“So if you have to increase the thicknesses in aluminum to get the same strength and durability over time. And once you do that, the weight savings is not as clear and as big a benefit as you once thought it was.

“One way or another, we will be making aluminum bodies. There is demand for it, but we’re just going to be very focused on ensuring that whatever we build is going to meet the same standards that we have for our steel products.”

Source: http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/service-bodies-part-2-stahl-gets-tough-with-polypropylene/

4/18/16

We Own Work: Reinvestment of Weight Savings for the All-New 2017 Ford Super Duty



Follow our group of real-world truck customers as they go behind the scenes to meet with Ford Super Duty experts and engineers to learn how weight savings from the high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy body were reinvested into other areas of the truck for improved performance and capability.

Upgrades include a fully boxed steel frame, stronger axles, beefed-up suspension, bigger brakes and a higher capacity trailer hitch. These are just some of the reasons the all-new 2017 Super Duty is the toughest, smartest and most capable Super Duty ever.

Discover the all-new 2017 Ford Super Duty: https://www.ford.com/trucks/superduty...

4/17/16

Safe Fleet Brands at the 2016 NTEA Work Truck Show



At the 2016 NTEA Work Truck Show, Safe Fleet brands Prime Design, ROM, Bustin, Seon and Bus and Rail exhibited their products to the highest attendance in event history.

Unique 10' Dry Van Body at Lehmer's GMC



Ron Sadler shows off a unique 10' Dry Van Body on a GMC 3500 Savana Cutaway dual rear wheel chassis. This Supreme FRP van body is mounted as low as possible on the chassis and has two rows of E-Track to help hold cargo in place, and a back up camera and monitor, low step bumper.

See more at http://www.LehmersGMC.com

4/16/16

Safest F-150 Ever: Ford F-150 SuperCrew and SuperCab Only Full-Size Pickups to Earn 2016 IIHS Top Safety Pick


  •     Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the 2016 Ford F-150 pickup its Top Safety Pick for SuperCrew and SuperCab configurations – the only large pickup to earn this recognition
  •     Superb crash test performance of new Ford F-150 – including highest possible rating in small overlap front crash test – is enabled by high-strength steel in the frame; high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy in the body; and smart engineering
  •     2016 Ford F-150 – the toughest, smartest, most capable and safest F-150 ever – is the only full-size, light-duty truck to earn National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s highest rating, a five-star Overall Vehicle Score and five-star rating for driver and passenger for all crash test modes and cab configurations – SuperCrew, SuperCab and Regular Cab
DOWNLOAD THE 2016 F-150 TOP SAFETY PICK FACT SHEET

DEARBORN, Mich., April 12, 2016 – The 2016 Ford F-150 – the toughest, smartest, most capable and safest F-150 ever – is the only large pickup to earn an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick for SuperCrew and SuperCab configurations.

Class-leading crash test performance of the new Ford F-150 is enabled by the use of high-strength steel in the frame; high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy in the body; and smart engineering, which also help to save up to 700 pounds of weight to enable best-in-class ratings for towing, payload and EPA-estimated gasoline fuel economy.

“From the moment our team set out to design and build the new F-150, we knew it had to be best-in-class,” said Raj Nair, Ford executive vice president, Global Product Development, and chief technical officer. “This Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick is another example of Ford’s commitment to building the toughest, smartest, most capable and safest F-150 ever.”

A cross-functional group of Ford truck veterans worked thousands of hours to deliver improved durability, capability, fuel economy and safety. The team created 31 safety-related innovations – including new structures that manage crash forces, and joining methods that were tested virtually with supercomputer simulations, then retested in Ford’s advanced laboratories to engineer the safest F-150 ever.

These smart innovations include a patented extruded aluminum roof crossmember and additional frame crossmember to help improve crash resilience.

To manage crash forces in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety small overlap front crash test, Ford created a system of innovations that work together to help protect the driver. Nylon hinge pillar reinforcements save weight, and in conjunction with specially designed wheel blockers, work to control crash forces while also providing additional safety.

“The same innovative approach applied to every other attribute of the 2016 F-150 is exemplified in our commitment to safety,” said Nair. “We spent thousands of hours engineering, designing and developing multiple safety features that work together in the event of an accident.”

F-150 is the only full-size, light-duty truck to earn National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s highest rating, a five-star Overall Vehicle Score and a five-star rating for driver and passenger for all crash test modes and cab configurations – SuperCrew, SuperCab and Regular Cab.
About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 199,000 employees and 67 plants worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing, manufacturing, marketing, financing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs and electrified vehicles, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. At the same time, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities through Ford Smart Mobility, the company’s plan to be a leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience, and data and analytics. For more information regarding Ford, its products worldwide or Ford Motor Credit Company, visit www.corporate.ford.com.

4/15/16

HINO - 2016 NTEA Work Truck Show



POWERING ON IN INDY! Behind the scenes during show set up at NTEA Work truck Show. Business Intelligence is here: Hino INSIGHT combines telematics, remote diagnostics, and case management in the industry's only integrated connected vehicle platform...standard.

Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Truck Presentation at 2016 NTEA



Chevrolet Commercial Vehicle Product Specialist Mitch Koory presenting on the new 2016 Medium Duty Low Cab Forward (LCF) Truck in Indianapolis at NTEA.

4/14/16

ROM Cargo Trays & Slides


ROM's latest innovation is the ROM Cargo Tray. Working closely with engineers from leading emergency vehicle OEMs, our world-class engineering team has custom-designed a tray to meet the exact needs of the fire service. See more at www.romcorp.com

NTEA Work Truck Show 2016



Utilimaster, a Spartan Motors company, was proud to be an exhibitor at the 2016 NTEA Work Truck Show in Indianapolis this year. On display were four innovative vehicles that demonstrated the breadth of Utilimaster’s capabilities including the industry’s most fuel efficient walk-in van, the Velocity; a Ram ProMaster upfit with refrigeration capabilities; a Ford Transit upfit for a utility application; and a Polaris Gem Car upfit for mobile food sales.

The Work Truck Show is a great annual event for the work truck and fleet vehicles industries, giving attendees a chance to see new products, attend training and interact with industry professionals, like Utilimaster.

Visit Utilimaster online at www.utilimaster.com for more information on these vehicles and more.

Utilimaster is also on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Utilimaster

4/13/16

American Eagle Drawer Systems



American Eagle Accessories Group manufactures heavy duty truck mounted drawer systems (Toolboxes) for your service truck. 500-pound capacity drawer slides make these drawers unsurpassed in the market. They even carry a limited LIFETIME warranty!

Visit http://www.truckutilities.com/American-Eagle-Drawers.html

Versatran Equipment Transporter - A Simple Explanation!



Joe Simons gives a brief explanation of the design factors that make Retriever equipment transporters so exceptional! .Find out more at: http://www.versatraninc.com/

4/12/16

2016 Work Truck Show Recap - Knapheide



The 2016 Work Truck Show was the platform for some huge announcements from The Knapheide Manufacturing Company, watch the video to see for yourself.

4/11/16

Ford Wins Best Value Awards from Vincentric, Takes Home Honors for Truck Brand, F-150, F-350 Super Duty and Taurus

DEARBORN, Mich., April 5, 2016 – Ford, America’s truck leader, is winning recognition for trucks that offer the best value. Ford Taurus was honored with a value award as well.

Ford is named Best Value Truck Brand in America for the second time by Vincentric, an automotive data analysis firm that specializes in lifecycle cost measurement. Ford first earned the truck brand award in 2013.
Ford F-150 wins the Best Value in America award among full-size half-ton pickups for the fifth time – reclaiming the title it held from 2011 through 2014.

The 2016 Ford F-150 – the toughest, smartest, most capable F-150 ever – introduces segment-first Pro Trailer Backup Assist. The technology makes it easier for drivers of all skill levels to back a trailer up instinctively by turning a knob left or right to indicate direction – the truck controls its steering and limits vehicle speed.

Ford F-350 Super Duty is honored for the fifth time with the Best Value in America award for the full-size one-ton pickup segment. It had previously won in 2010, 2007, 2006 and 2005.
The all-new 2017 Ford F-Series Super Duty – the toughest, smartest, most capable Super Duty ever – goes on sale this fall.

Ford F-Series Super Duty, America’s best-selling heavy-duty pickup truck, continues its leadership with best-in-class 440 diesel horsepower and standard 860 lb.-ft. of torque.

Along with the Ford-designed, Ford-built 6.7-liter Power Stroke® V8 turbo diesel, Super Duty is available with a powerful 6.2-liter V8 engine that produces best-in-class standard horsepower of 385 along with 405 lb.-ft. of torque.

Ford Taurus honored for best value in large sedan segment

Ford Taurus wins the Best Value in America award among large sedans from Vincentric.

The 2016 Taurus is designed to respect your comfort and respond to your needs, with a standard 3.5-liter V6 and two available EcoBoost® engines, a Lane-Keeping System that alerts you when your vehicle starts to drift from its lane and available voice-activated SYNC® that helps keep you connected.

The Vincentric Best Value in America awards are model-specific honors that determine the best value in each segment. Value is determined using a statistical analysis that incorporates the total cost of ownership of all vehicles for the 2016 model year, along with the current market price of those vehicles.

In the model-level analysis, results are compiled using nine different scenarios based on combinations of annual driving mileage (10,000, 15,000 and 20,000 miles) and driving experience (three or fewer years, four to six years and more than six years).


About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 199,000 employees and 67 plants worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing, manufacturing, marketing, financing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs and electrified vehicles, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. At the same time, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities through Ford Smart Mobility, the company’s plan to be a leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience, and data and analytics. For more information regarding Ford, its products worldwide or Ford Motor Credit Company, visit www.corporate.ford.com.

GMC Savana Cutaway with SRW Knapheide KUV Body



Ron Sadler shows off a GMC 3500 Cutaway Savana chassis with a Knapheide KUV plumber style body with optional electric locking system and low roof. This unit also has a material rack on the roof.

See more at http://www.LehmersGMC.com

4/10/16

Tommygate G2 Liftgate on a 2016 GMC with Harbor Combo Body



This is a unique installation of the G2 Tommygate Liftgate. It is very rare to see this installed on a Combo Body. This Harbor Combo Body has a 36" work platform on the rear and this customer of Dow Lewis GMC in Yuba City CA needed a liftgate installed. Kevin made it happen.

See more a http://www.vacavalleytruck.com

See more about Harbor Truck Bodies at http://www.htbi.net

And more about Dow Lewis GMC at http://www.dowlewistrucks.com

4/09/16

Silverado Special Editions Takeover Texas Motor Speedway

New Rally Edition adds to the most choices of any truck brand



DALLAS – Chevrolet revealed the 2016 Silverado Rally Edition today at the Texas Motor Speedway, extending Silverado’s line of special editions – which offers more choices for truck buyers than any other brand.

“We introduced several special editions in 2015 – each combining equipment and appearance packages designed for specific enthusiasts in mind,” said Sandor Piszar, Chevrolet truck marketing director. They clearly resonated with buyers, selling in one-third the time – and attracting new, younger, and more affluent buyers to the brand – than the industry average.

“They also helped make Chevrolet the fastest-growing truck brand in the industry,” Piszar continued. “In 2015, total Chevrolet truck sales increased 27 percent – double the increase for the total truck market. As we expand our lineup of special editions for 2016, we expect to continue that momentum.”

To celebrate the introduction of the new Rally, Silverado special editions are taking over the Speedway this weekend, each paired with a different Chevrolet Racing driver. Beginning today, Chevy fans can vote for their favorite special edition team at twitter.com/ChevyTrucks, including:

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is campaigning for the new Rally Edition, which will be available later this month. The Rally is inspired by trends seen in street-performance trucks, including monochromatic exterior with black accents, bold hood and body-side stripes, and black wheels in 20- or 22-inch sizes.

Austin Dillon is campaigning for the Realtree Edition, available later this spring.  Designed for the outdoor enthusiast, this truck builds on Chevrolet’s relationship with the world’s leading camouflage brand, including Realtree camouflage accents on the interior and exterior.

Kyle Larson is campaigning for the Silverado 1500 Midnight Edition, while Kasey Kahne is campaigning for the Silverado 2500 Midnight Edition. Both trucks are currently available, and build upon the legendary Z71 off-road performance package with an exterior that is inspired by the blacked-out trend seen in the aftermarket – including black wheels, black body-cladding, black front and rear fascias and black interior. Even the tow hooks and Chevy bowtie are black. Midnight Editions also include aggressive Goodyear DuraTrac all-terrain tires for enhanced off-road performance.

The Realtree and Midnight Edition trucks include the Z71 off-road equipment package, including Rancho mono-tube shocks, locking rear differential, transfer case shield, hill descent control, and aggressive all-terrain tires.

All four trucks will be on display at the Chevrolet display at the Duck Commander 500 race this weekend. On Saturday, Dale Earnhardt Jr. will make a campaign stop for the Rally edition at the Chevrolet stand, and a fleet of special edition Silverados will be used for the driver-introduction parade.

About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 115 countries and selling more than 4.0 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

The Reading Aluminum Classic II Service Body



Reading’s Classic II™ aluminum service body combines the superior fuel economy and corrosion resistance of aluminum with Reading’s legendary quality and durability. Built with premium recycled aluminum alloy and protected by Reading’s exclusive Triple Protection E-coat primer and powder coat finish, it resists corrosion better than any other service truck body on the market. It features all the standard and exclusive options that have made our flagship Classic II™ a leader in the truck body industry while offering environmental benefits that today’s consumers appreciate. Standard features include a pressed diamond plate floor and inner tailgate surface, heavy-duty compartment doors and a rugged undercoated understructure for superior durability and strength. The Classic II™ aluminum service truck body also features Reading’s exclusive adjustable hidden hinges, Dual-Pro® door seals, a slam-action tailgate and much more. Add our industry-leading 10-year limited warranty and it’s easy to see why there’s No Body Better than the Classic II™.
  •     Increased available payload
  •     Corrosion resistance
  •     Weather-tight storage
  •     Customized compartments
Find out more at:  http://www.readingbody.com/product/aluminum-classic-ii/


4/08/16

DRW Ford Transit Cab-Chassis with Harbor Service Body and Rack - Plenty of Storage, Great Visibility and Easy Access!

Harbor Service Body is 10 foot Plus 4 inches 
Length Inside Cargo Area


This Ford Transit Cab-Chassis has an 80 inch Cab to Axle dimension. It allows for a
longer body and provides for a lower bed-to-ground height.


The view of the Harbor Body from the rear shows the low access into the cargo area. This allows for easier loading and unloading of materials and equipment. The extra long ladder rack access is also lower than it would be on a standard chassis cab body.


Note the Great Visibility the wide rear window provides. The low profile of the Harbor Body allows a wide, virtually unobstructed rear view over the tailgate and side boxes.


The compartment depth on this Dual Rear Wheel body is 19 inches, the Single Rear Wheel version would be 15" deep. The DRW version floor width is 50", plenty of room to slide in that 4 foot wide plywood!


The body is standard height (about 40") and sits lower because of the chassis design.


This body has the  Master Lock System, a Non-Forklift Rack, Standard One-Hand Latch, Self-Opening Stainless Steel Lids with Two Gas Shocks. Lighter and stronger and rust free! (Aluminum Treadbrite overlay is available as an option). Matching Stainless Steel Gravel Guards are standard. (Closed top models are standard steel and offer Aluminum Treadbrite as an option). 


Find out more about Harbor Truck Bodies at: www.htbi.net

4/07/16

Service bodies: Part 4, Fiberglass gaining more attention at Altec

 Fiberglass inserts and service bodies at Altec 
are turning more heads
 


“People are starting to take a strong look at fiberglass,” Andy Price, Altec’s market manager, tells Hard Working Trucks. “One of the real advantages of fiberglass is that a fiberglass body comes out of a mold, so you don’t have tracing points for water. It’s one piece.

“It generally can be a one piece body so you don’t have things bolted or welded together, but again all this depends on the design. I don’t want to give the impression that all fiberglass bodies have no penetration points. That isn’t the case at all. Depending on the design, it can have some advantages in fiberglass in those areas.”

HWT (Hard Working Trucks) Related: Iowa utility acquires more Altec hybrid service trucks

Altec, which entered the fiberglass body market about three years ago, recently introduced a new fiberglass insert with a seamless, aerodynamic design. The Capsule features aesthetic contours to complement the chassis, recessed side and rear doors, stainless steel latches, an all-aluminum interior and forklift pockets for easy installation and removal.

- Source:  http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/service-bodies-part-4-fiberglass-gaining-more-attention-at-altec/#sthash.coXqFxfE.dpuf

4/06/16

Service bodies: Part 3, Knapheide reveals its most durable body



Tony Marshall, product manager at Knapheide, answered questions about the type of materials used to build Knapheide bodies.

HWT (Hard Working Trucks): What’s the most popular material used to construct Knapheide service bodies?

Marshall: Currently, the material used by Knapheide for our service body offerings is a two-sided A-40 galvanneal steel.  Depending on the type and style of service body (standard service body, EC series service body or KUV) we use a variety of gauges of high strength steel to accomplish a couple things.  First and foremost, is the strength, security and longevity of the product that our customers expect.  Second, we try to use this combination of different gauge high strength steel to optimize the strength to weight ratio to help our customers get the most out of their work trucks.

HWT: Have customers been showing a greater interest in aluminum?

Marshall: The interest for aluminum service bodies remains as a niche product, mostly limited to the snow belt of the country.  Interest level and market share penetration of aluminum has been flat as we have come out of the recession.  We anticipate that the interest level will gradually increase over the next several years with the propagation of aluminum panels in work trucks, like the 2017 Ford Super Duty.  Knapheide will continue to listen to our customers and the market as a whole and stay committed to delivering the service body products that the industry demands.

HWT: Does Knapheide use polypropylene or other plastic materials in its service bodies?

Marshall: Knapheide currently uses an ABS material bulkhead in our KUV as a standard offering.  The ABS bulkhead while lighter than the once standard bulkhead offers another great benefit.  The ABS material is much quieter.  For the driver that spends the majority of his day in this vehicle going from job site to job site or delivering product the rattle free quiet is a well received and welcomed upgrade.  We recognize that plastics have a potential place in interior and non-structural areas of a body.  We will continue to look at the feasibility of using plastics where it is an improvement to the product and does not unduly affect the financial model of the product line.

HWT: What Knapheide service body is considered to be the most durable and why?

Marshall: The standard J-Series Knapheide Service Body is the most durable.  Over 50 years of commitment to product and process improvement make this body the best.  We also use this same methodology in the design and assembly of our line bodies and crane bodies to deliver the best solution for those applications.

HWT: How does Knapheide help customers decide which material to spec for their service body?

Marshall: A Knapheide Service Body is primarily A40 galvanneal steel.  We work with our customers to configure and design the service body to their needs.

HWT: Anything else you’d like to add?

Marshall: Knapheide Manufacturing is the leader in the service body industry.

Source:  http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/service-bodies-part-3-knapheide-reveals-their-most-durable-body/





Ford Introduces Kansas City-Built F-150 MVP Edition


  •     Limited run of 300 Ford F-150 MVP edition trucks built at Kansas City Assembly Plant
  •     Suggested by a Ford customer, 2016 Ford F-150 MVP edition follows the 1986 Ford Ranger MVP edition – first time Kansas City celebrated a professional baseball world championship
  •     Midwest Ford Dealers renewed its sponsorship for the 2016 season with Kansas City Royals
CLAYCOMO, Mo., March 29, 2016 – Ford, America’s truck leader, salutes Kansas City’s world championship by announcing a limited run of 300 Ford F-150 MVP edition trucks built at Kansas City Assembly Plant.

Based on the F-150 XLT with chrome package and available in either Oxford White or Blue Flame, F-150 MVP edition includes special MVP badging, unique polished stainless rocker panels and a spray-in bedliner. 

The 2016 Ford F-150 MVP edition started as an idea from Marc Lassalle, a Kansas City Royals fan, to celebrate his team’s second world championship. It follows the 1986 Ford Ranger MVP edition, created and sold in 1985 to celebrate Kansas City’s first time as world champions. 

“Like our manufacturing team members at Kansas City Assembly Plant, the Kansas City Royals are a great example of what terrific teamwork can accomplish,” said Gary Johnson, Ford vice president for North America manufacturing.

F-150 MVP edition customizations are added at Kansas City’s unique SubTropolis underground business complex, where Ford applies custom accessories to its vehicles in the energy-efficient cave system.

Ford worked with former Kansas City Royals star Bret Saberhagen, from the 1985 team roster, and Salvador Pérez, from the 2015 Kansas City lineup, to promote the F-150 MVP edition.

Saberhagen will be on hand today to greet Kansas City Assembly Plant employees. Midwest Ford Dealers has also renewed its sponsorship agreement with the Kansas City Royals for 2016.

The F-150 MVP edition is on sale now at Kansas City area Ford dealers.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 199,000 employees and 67 plants worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing, manufacturing, marketing, financing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs and electrified vehicles, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. At the same time, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities through Ford Smart Mobility, the company’s plan to be a leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience, and data and analytics. For more information regarding Ford, its products worldwide or Ford Motor Credit Company, visit www.corporate.ford.com.

4/05/16

Best-Selling Pickup Trucks: March 2016



Forecasters predicted a good March, typically a strong month for auto sales, and from the looks of pickup truck sales they were right.

When compared to March 2015, U.S. pickup truck sales jumped almost 10 percent, and year-to-date sales (comparing the first quarter of 2015 to the first quarter of 2016 numbers) are up 6.5 percent. That’s likely to be good news if you’re in the market for a new pickup — dealerships will be primed and practiced at making a deal. And with the fast-selling summer months just around the corner, we don’t expect pickup sales to slow down at all.

Every one of the major truckmakers are having a good year so far, on track to break most of the sales records in the last nine years. In fact, some analysts are saying the 2016 sales year could be the highest ever recorded, and much of that gain, appropriately enough, will be on the backs of pickup trucks.

The Ford F-Series broke the 70,000 unit barrier for the first time this year (the earliest since 2007), and is on track to sell close to 800,000 units in a single year. Other significant pickup truck news for March includes the Chevrolet Colorado for the first time passing the Nissan Frontier in year-to-date sales. Chevy has outsold the Frontier in monthly sales for the last two months, but with sales like these, the Colorado is not likely to give up the No. 7 slot on our list for the remainder of the year.

The Nissan Titan, which now includes the new Titan XD with the Cummins engine, is continuously improving its monthly sales pace by 20 percent and more, and when the half-ton version comes on line in the fall, that number is likely to jump again.

Finally, we see the inverse sales relationship between the midsize Toyota Tacoma and full-size Tundra, which makes sense because they’re manufactured at the same plant on the same line. If Toyota wants to make more Tacomas (which it does), it needs to drop the corresponding number of Tundras to make room for them. We’ll likely see this trend continue until Toyota finds a way to increase total volume at the San Antonio or Mexico plants. In the meantime, the Tundra is the only pickup posting negative March sales numbers besides the Honda Ridgeline, which won’t be updated until later this year.

4/04/16

TransPorte LaPorte Goes Green with Transition to Propane Fueled Buses



TransPorte of LaPorte had something very important to celebrate on March 22nd. They held an Open House to include the community in a transition that will benefit everyone: The City of LaPorte would now officially run on propane. They were the first in Indiana to have an all alternative fuel system.

Four propane fueled buses now grace the streets of LaPorte and a fifth is on its way. They are bought as unleaded vehicles, then are sent to Elkhart to be converted to propane. The city also has four electric vehicles and will be installing the charging stations soon to keep them running.

The TransPorte fleet won the 2015 Green Fleet Award for their commitment to going green. They are only the beginning of a city wide change: the Street department will be switching their vehicles to propane soon, and both the Public Works and Waste departments are looking into it.

Transporte-Laporte-2016-2

“We are interested to see the cleanliness and efficiency of propane,” said Public Works Board Member Clay Turner. “We’re excited about that.”

Propane fueling is a superior system for exactly those reasons. Its lesser impact on the environment makes it a safer alternative to unleaded as well.

Its foremost benefit is that it can keep their transportation system a local project. Director of TransPorte Tom MacLennan, said they are “keeping it local as much as we can. When you do that you preserve jobs, you keep the city employed. Don’t buy on Amazon, buy from down the block.”

TransPorte itself keeps the people of LaPorte employed. Without the network, many people would not have a way to get to work.

Mayor Blaire Milo said, “Transporte creates the opportunity for anyone in the city to travel. There’s reduction costs for seniors. It ensures that every citizen can remain mobile.”

She and MacLennan also spoke about the money saving perks of the propane system and the lighter carbon footprint we will be leaving on the planet. TransPorte installed their own propane tank so they can fuel up at home instead of sending the buses down state. That saves on fuel costs, employee hours, and air pollution.

City Councilman Roger Galloway attended the Open House to show his support for the project. “If a department has something going on,” he said, “You be there. They are doing good things and you need to support that.”

Source: By Samantha Malkowski —

http://www.laportecountylife.com/community/government-community-resources/59195-transporte-laporte-goes-green-with-transition-to-propane-fueled-buses

4/03/16

Transit Cab Chassis w/ 124" Harbor Service Body vs F350 Cab Chassis



Here is a view of the most popular chassis and service body on Ford Commercial Truck dealer's lot: The F350 60"CA Cab Chassis Single Rear Wheel with a 9' Service Body as compared to the new Ford Transit Cab Chassis (in this case, a dual rear wheel unit, although available as a single rear unit) with a Harbor 10' 4'' or 124" standard height Service Body.

Not mentioned in the video is that the cargo capacity on the Transit Service Body in this case is 4,100 lbs., or 1,000 lbs. more than the F350. Both Service Bodies have the same height body but because they are mounted on differently designed chassis, on the Transit, the body sits much lower to the ground making it very easy to access items within the body aa well as in the open top lid section.

Perhaps the Transit Service Body is worth a serious look for your business. The advantages are many, and profound.

This video was filmed at Future Ford of Concord in Concord CA and I appreciate the opportunity that Sandy and Berger afforded me to spend some time on their lot and demonstrating the advantages of the Transit Cab Chassis. See more about the commercial truck/fleet department at Future Ford of Concord by visiting http://www.futurefordofconcord.com/fo....

Also see more about Harbor Truck Bodies at http://www.htbi.net.

We Own Work: Inside the Manufacturing of the All-New 2017 Ford Super Duty



Five truck customers head inside the Kentucky Truck Plant for exclusive behind-the-scenes access to witness the unique manufacturing innovations involved in creating the smartest, toughest and most capable Super Duty ever.

In this episode, our teams of Insiders see the innovative joining techniques used to build the Super Duty’s high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy body. From self-piercing rivets to flow-drill screws and powerful structural adhesives, this is truly manufacturing at its best.

Discover the all-new 2017 Ford Super Duty: https://www.ford.com/trucks/superduty...

4/02/16

9ft Scelzi Service Body With Drawers And Camera - Harrold Ford



Dave Dahle with Harrold Ford in Sacramento goes over a 9ft service body with unique options; a back up camera and roller drawers. See more at http://www.sacramentoworktrucks.com

Knapheide Customer Story: J.F. Electric



Since 1848, we have been a family-owned company led by six generations of the Knapheide family. We are proud to say that some of our best customers are multi-generational as well, like J.F. Electric in Edwardsville, Ill. Check out their story!

4/01/16

Ford F-150, Edge, Transit Connect Honored with TrueCar Awards Recognizing Highest Retained Value



DEARBORN, Mich.– The 2014 Ford F-150, Edge and Transit Connect will retain the highest percentage of their value as they enter the market for resale in 2016, according to TrueCar, which has recognized the three vehicles with its inaugural Pre-Owned Value Awards, making Ford the leader in truck segments.

The new awards, powered by ALG, TrueCar’s analytics division, evaluate pre-owned model-year 2014 vehicles available for resale in 2016 that are expected to retain the highest percentage of their value during the next three years.

The 2014 F-150 won the full-size pickup category in the 2016 Pre-Owned Value Awards. The 2016 F-150 – the toughest, smartest, most capable F-150 ever – has helped make Ford F-Series the best-selling truck in America for 39 years running, and America’s top-selling vehicle for 34 consecutive years. Ford has the most F-Series trucks on the road with more than 250,000 miles compared with any other competitor.1

The 2014 Edge won among midsize utility vehicles with second-row seating. With an available 2.7-liter EcoBoost® V6 engine, available enhanced active park assist and an available front 180-degree camera, the 2016 Edge is a showcase of Ford innovation that helps drivers be unstoppable.

The 2014 Transit Connect won the midsize commercial vehicle category. Strong demand for the current Transit Connect – along with Transit and E-Series – made Ford the best-selling brand of commercial vans in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. in 2015, based on the company’s analysis of IHS Automotive total vehicle registration data and Ford custom segmentation for commercial vans.

TrueCar Pre-Owned Value Award winners are determined through careful analysis of used vehicle performance, brand outlook and product competitiveness. Eligibility for a brand award requires a manufacturer to have vehicle entries in at least four different segments. To account for differences across trim levels, model averages are weighted based on percentage share relative to the entire model line.

1 Based on vehicle registration data and latest odometer readings available to Polk for 1992 and newer model year full-size pickups still on the road in the U.S. as of 4/1/15.


About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 199,000 employees and 67 plants worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing, manufacturing, marketing, financing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs and electrified vehicles, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. At the same time, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities through Ford Smart Mobility, the company’s plan to be a leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience, and data and analytics. For more information regarding Ford, its products worldwide or Ford Motor Credit Company, visit www.corporate.ford.com.