Ford, Hewlett-Packard Using Coffee Stops, Big Data to Better Manage Fleets and Personalize Employee Drives

•     Ford and HP Fleet Insights experiment analyzes information from daily driving to lead to more efficiently managed fleets, car sharing and personalized driving experiences
•     Experiment gathered information from national HP fleet vehicles and HP employee volunteer drivers around the U.S., learning HP drivers share similar coffee, airport parking and refueling habits, which could be leveraged to reduce operating costs while improving convenience and services
•     The Fleet Insights experiment is one part of the Ford Smart Mobility plan aimed at better understanding consumers’ mobility needs around the globe

Ford Motor Company engineers have completed a real-world driving experiment with HP, one of the world’s largest technology companies, discovering which commuting commonalities could provide future breakthroughs for better managing fleets, personalized services and recommendations for individual drivers.

Using HP’s Big Data Discovery Experience Services and the HP Haven big data platform, the engineering team gathered data and analyzed it to determine possibilities for lowering operating costs and optimizing underutilized vehicles for fleets as well as personal driving.

Among the observations of the experiment: Regardless of location, most HP drivers grabbed coffee at the same national coffeehouse and refueled with the same brand of gasoline, while traveling employees often left vehicles unused at the airport for days.

While it’s no surprise road-tripping employees stop for coffee, data analysis about commutes and driving routines could lead to greater economies of scale for company fleets and new solutions for optimizing underutilized vehicles.

“The Fleet Insights experiment is one of the first steps to better understand and learn about how driving behavior is changing,” said Marcy Klevorn, Ford vice president and chief information officer. “Fleets could see operating costs lowered through national buying contracts and improved utilization and maintenance, while individual drivers could receive coupons or create cooperative pools to share unused vehicles.”

The Ford Fleet Insights experiment included HP fleet vehicles that were equipped with wireless sensors plugged into each vehicle. Ford data scientists and IT leaders used the HP Vertica analytics engine, part of the HP Haven platform, to explore patterns and multiple dimensions of fleet driver activity. Also, each driver could access their data using a custom smartphone app to recall trip details, if needed.

“HP and Ford share a common vision around bringing together data, mobility, and analytics to explore new ways to deliver better customer experiences, new revenue streams, and lower fuel and maintenance costs in the automotive industry,” said Martin Risau, senior vice president, Analytics & Data Management Practice, HP Enterprise Services. “The results of this experiment can help unleash improvements for business operations for fleet management and personal driving experiences.”

Observations during the experiment included:

•     Regardless of location, most drivers visited the same national coffee house and refueled with the same brand of gasoline
•     Traveling employees often left their vehicles unused at the airport for days. These vehicles could be utilized more effectively by nearby drivers
•     70 percent of trips took place during weekdays and typical trip distances were 13 miles or less

Trips fell into four groups:

•     City block driving (34 percent): Involved frequent direction changes, driving near the speed limit, idling at stoplights with short distances.
•     Freeway driving (21 percent): Involved few driving direction changes with large deviations from the speed-limit depending on traffic, and long trip durations and driving distances with less stop and go than City Block Commute.
•      Non rush-hour Driving (29 percent): Short trip duration and short-distance with less stops and idling
•      Rush-hour driving (16 percent): Short trip duration and short-distance with frequent stops and idling during peak drive hours

The Fleet Insight experiment data collection phase was completed in June after gathering information from nearly 100 vehicles. Data analysis continues through the end of 2015.
About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan, manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 194,000 employees and 66 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

•     Ford and HP Fleet Insights experiment analyzes information from daily driving to lead to more efficiently managed fleets, car sharing and personalized driving experiences
•     Experiment gathered information from national HP fleet vehicles and HP employee volunteer drivers around the U.S., learning HP drivers share similar coffee, airport parking and refueling habits, which could be leveraged to reduce operating costs while improving convenience and services
•     The Fleet Insights experiment is one part of the Ford Smart Mobility plan aimed at better understanding consumers’ mobility needs around the globe

Ford Motor Company engineers have completed a real-world driving experiment with HP, one of the world’s largest technology companies, discovering which commuting commonalities could provide future breakthroughs for better managing fleets, personalized services and recommendations for individual drivers.

Using HP’s Big Data Discovery Experience Services and the HP Haven big data platform, the engineering team gathered data and analyzed it to determine possibilities for lowering operating costs and optimizing underutilized vehicles for fleets as well as personal driving.

Among the observations of the experiment: Regardless of location, most HP drivers grabbed coffee at the same national coffeehouse and refueled with the same brand of gasoline, while traveling employees often left vehicles unused at the airport for days.

While it’s no surprise road-tripping employees stop for coffee, data analysis about commutes and driving routines could lead to greater economies of scale for company fleets and new solutions for optimizing underutilized vehicles.

“The Fleet Insights experiment is one of the first steps to better understand and learn about how driving behavior is changing,” said Marcy Klevorn, Ford vice president and chief information officer. “Fleets could see operating costs lowered through national buying contracts and improved utilization and maintenance, while individual drivers could receive coupons or create cooperative pools to share unused vehicles.”

The Ford Fleet Insights experiment included HP fleet vehicles that were equipped with wireless sensors plugged into each vehicle. Ford data scientists and IT leaders used the HP Vertica analytics engine, part of the HP Haven platform, to explore patterns and multiple dimensions of fleet driver activity. Also, each driver could access their data using a custom smartphone app to recall trip details, if needed.

“HP and Ford share a common vision around bringing together data, mobility, and analytics to explore new ways to deliver better customer experiences, new revenue streams, and lower fuel and maintenance costs in the automotive industry,” said Martin Risau, senior vice president, Analytics & Data Management Practice, HP Enterprise Services. “The results of this experiment can help unleash improvements for business operations for fleet management and personal driving experiences.”

Observations during the experiment included:

•     Regardless of location, most drivers visited the same national coffee house and refueled with the same brand of gasoline
•     Traveling employees often left their vehicles unused at the airport for days. These vehicles could be utilized more effectively by nearby drivers
•     70 percent of trips took place during weekdays and typical trip distances were 13 miles or less

Trips fell into four groups:

•     City block driving (34 percent): Involved frequent direction changes, driving near the speed limit, idling at stoplights with short distances.
•     Freeway driving (21 percent): Involved few driving direction changes with large deviations from the speed-limit depending on traffic, and long trip durations and driving distances with less stop and go than City Block Commute.
•      Non rush-hour Driving (29 percent): Short trip duration and short-distance with less stops and idling
•      Rush-hour driving (16 percent): Short trip duration and short-distance with frequent stops and idling during peak drive hours

The Fleet Insight experiment data collection phase was completed in June after gathering information from nearly 100 vehicles. Data analysis continues through the end of 2015.
About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan, manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 194,000 employees and 66 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

2016 F-150 Continues to Innovate With Available Pro Trailer Backup Assist, Alternative Fuel Capability and SYNC 3

• Pro Trailer Backup Assist helps make backing up a trailer as easy as turning a knob
• New Special Edition Appearance Packages available on XLT and Lariat with unique wheels, graphics and finishes
• Compressed Natural Gas/Propane gaseous fuel prep package available for 5.0-liter V8-equipped F-150s, helping reduce operating costs and tailpipe CO2 emissions

The 2016 Ford F-150, part of Ford F-Series, America’s best-selling truck for 38 years, continues to innovate with the addition of breakthrough towing technology, new Special Edition Appearance Packages, SYNC 3 and alternative fuel capability.
 
All-new Pro Trailer Backup Assist makes it easier for drivers of all skill levels to back a trailer up to launch a boat or park in a driveway. The segment-first technology allows customers to steer a trailer instinctively by turning a knob left or right to indicate direction; the truck controls its steering and limits vehicle speed. Leveraging advanced camera technology, Ford engineers developed the system and tested it for almost a decade. Along the way, Ford earned five patents for the technology, with 10 more pending.
 
The Special Edition Packages for XLT and Lariat further personalize F-150 to customer tastes, adding all-new unique 20-inch premium anodized dark-painted aluminum wheels with red sport lettering, black running boards, smoked headlamps, unique bodyside graphics and badging, special edition seats with Alcantara® inserts, red contrast stitching and red bolsters, and unique red stitching on the steering wheel, transmission gear selector boot and instrument panel. This package also features a dark anodized grille with black mesh on XLT while the Lariat dark anodized grille receives red accents.
 
F-150 also features SYNC 3 – Ford’s newest communications and entertainment system that features enhanced voice recognition, high-speed performance and capacitive touch screen and easier-to-understand graphical interface.
 
Responding to customer requests, the 2016 Ford F-150 with the 5.0-liter V8 engine will offer a gaseous-fuel prep option, making it the only light-duty pickup capable of running on compressed natural gas or propane.
 
New features and color choices
Other changes for the 2016 F-150 include:

• SYNC 3 replaces Sync with MyFord Touch
• XLT and Lariat models add available Special Edition Appearance Package (requires Sport Appearance Package)

• Shadow Black replaces Tuxedo Black
• Lithium Gray replaces Guard Metallic
• 20-inch machined aluminum wheels with painted silver pockets available on XL

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan, manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 194,000 employees and 66 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

Crew Cab Ford Chassis with Landscape Body and Trailer chosen by Valley Crest

Valley Crest Landscape Companies has chosen a diesel crew cab Ford chassis with a landscape style body and backpack style storage cabinets between the cab and the chassis. It tows a tandem open style trailer. The body is outfitted with a cab protector, barn doors and is equipped with a dump hoist. It is shown here with the barn doors open as well as the cab door. Notice the body is being used here to transport plants for insertion into the landscape in this food store parking lot islands.

This truck/trailer was spotted in a parking lot in Tampa, FL. As this truck idled, the crew was busy loading the trailer with debris, mostly tree limbs and brush that has been removed. This trailer has its own hydraulics and is capable of dumping the load.

Valley Crest Landscape Companies may be found at http://www.valleycrest.com/

Electrical Company Vans Carry Loads of Ladders

I spotted these Ford Econoline vans owned by Borrell Electric in Tampa, Florida. The vans are equipped with an interesting and functional van roof rack. This is a heavy duty rack designed to carry ladders as well as other long times such as conduit, long tools etc. 

This design might be best described as a tray, not only can ladders be carried on the top, other items such as step ladders, conduit, long tools, etc.  may be carried within the tray. It appears that some items could be carried without securing them in the traditional fashion.

Guest Post by Steve Taylor: Steve specializes in lean six sigma process improvement. He focuses on consulting with landscape / snow removal contractors, truck fleets, equipment distributors and manufacturers in the work truck industry. He may be contacted at steve@truckarchitect.com and his website is http://www.upstreamsource.com/

RCS Commercial Roof Packs It In a Nissan NV 2500 Van

RCS Commercial Roof uses this Nissan NV2500 for roofing business. This van is equipped with a sturdy roof rack capable of storing multiple ladders. Notice the tall side brackets that serve as guides and stops for the ladders. Also note the roller on the rear, it allows for easy removal of a ladder.

 

RCS Roof is located in Glen Allen, Virginia and has regional offices throughout the US. It provides installation, maintenance and repair of commercial and industrial roofing. Find out more about them at http://www.roofconsultingservices.com/

Large Panel Van of the Year 2015

Can a big van ride and handle superbly, offer an admirably crisp and precise gearchange, boast low noise levels and be cost-effective to run? It certainly can, if it happens to be a Ford Transit. In its latest incarnation it achieves all of these goals, and quite a few more. That's why we have given it our Large Panel Van of the Year award again.

With over 450 variants prospective purchasers cannot complain about a lack of choice. Transit is on offer with front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive or as a 4x4, and in van guise delivers up to 15.1m³ of carrying space.

Buyers can select from two different roof heights and three different lengths. Gross weights go up to a hefty 4.7 tonnes and some of the larger models in the line-up can haul a braked trailer with a gross weight of up to 3.5 tonnes.

Transit is additionally produced in Double Cab-in-Van (Ford-speak for a crew van) guise, as a minibus with up to 18 seats and as a chassis with either a single or a double cab. Five different lengths of single-cab and four different lengths of double-cab chassis are listed, with the L5 ranking as the longest production Transit chassis ever built. The chassis are ideal platforms for the dropside, tipper, curtainsider, Luton and box bodies Ford can offer.

Ford Transit Large Panel Van of the Year 2015Under the bonnet you will find a 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel at 100hp, 125hp or 155hp. In ECOnetic guise it can deliver a combined diesel consumption figure of 44.1mpg with CO2 emissions as low as 169g/km. Like its smaller brother, the Custom, Transit will be getting an all-new 2.0-litre Euro 6-compliant diesel engine line-up in 2016.

Ford's big baby looks cost-effective to maintain and repair. Two year/30,000-mile service intervals are available with the time required for scheduled maintenance over 90,000 miles cut from 5.4 to 4.2 hours compared with its predecessor.

Transit is available with a near-bewildering variety of intelligent and useful features including Ford SYNC. It helps ensure the emergency services are summoned if the vehicle is in a collision bad enough to cause an airbag to inflate. Nor should the advantages of Electronic Stability Control with Curve Control be ignored. If a driver hurls Transit into a sharp bend with more enthusiasm than skill then it will slow things down and keep the vehicle stable.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, Transit just keeps on going from strength to strength and its not solely a European product these days. It’s now taking the US by storm.

Click here for the full Award winner results.

Landscaper Utilizes a Beaver Tail Box Truck

By Steve Taylor


I don’t see many landscapers using box or cube bodies for their business. I spotted this one in Tampa, Florida using a tandem cut-away chassis with a cube walk-through body. The interesting addition is what is known as a “Beaver Tail.” This extension off the rear of the body adds a split-ramp allowing for easy egress and regress from the body where equipment, supplies and plants may be stored.

Although the body was built by American Commercial in the Clearwater, Fl area. I’m not sure who built or added the beaver tail. but I did find a similar product at:

http://www.truckertotrucker.com/listings/176547.cfm

Offered for sale by:

TLC Truck And Equipment
Sales Department
1440 N. Powerline Rd
Pompano Beach, Florida 33069

The Landscape Contractor can be found at http://www.ameriscapeusa.com/

Guest Post by Steve Taylor: Steve specializes in lean six sigma process improvement. He focuses on consulting with landscape / snow removal contractors, truck fleets, equipment distributors and manufacturers in the work truck industry. He may be contacted at steve@truckarchitect.com and his website is http://www.upstreamsource.com/

Spied: 2017 Heavy Duties

 

GM pickup truck engineers have been relatively quiet lately while both Ford and Ram Truck make news with new HD products, which includes exotic materials and increased capability. But it looks like that's about to change, given the size of this parade. Our spies have seen several three-quarter-ton and one-ton Chevrolet and GMC pickups doing quite a bit of tow testing and loaded laps around Michigan. That means GM is likely getting close to showing its new trucks to the media, and we can't wait. There's been lots of speculation about new power train ratings, but so far it is only that. Here's what we recently heard from our photographers.

    "We caught a convoy of heavy-duty Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra prototypes on the open roads, giving us our best look yet at the rugged remakes of the crew-cab versions of the single-rear and dual-rear-wheel trucks due out sometime in 2016. The goal must certainly be to bump the current 6.6-liter Duramax turbo-diesel's horsepower, torque and towing capacity to counter Ford's recently upgraded 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 turbo-diesel. Ford's revamped 6.7-liter Power Stroke currently outguns GM's 6.6-liter unit, generating 440 horsepower and 860 pounds-feet of torque (GM is making 397 horsepower and 765 pounds-feet of torque).

    "We can clearly see that part of GM's strategy is to feed more air into the engine via a new functional hood air intake designed into the pickups' redesigned hoods. The new air duct sits prominently near the leading edge of the hood. The GMC gets a circular mesh intake grille, while the Chevy appears to get a diamond-shaped interweaving mesh grille insert. The Silverado and Sierra pickups had uncovered grilles and lightly camouflaged front bumpers, with a heavier vinyl hood hiding the hood's new air intake. We're guessing the new breathing apparatus has been added in conjunction with a revamped diesel engine, reportedly using a modified turbo and new engine management software resulting in a significant power boost.

    "Likewise, Ford is now nearly at completion of a significant aluminum-intensive overhaul of its Super Duty pickups, so GM had better hope that its changes are substantial enough to keep its pickups competitive."

KGP Photography images

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2015/06/spied-2017-gm-heavy-duties.html#more

Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota Pickups Are Segment Leaders in 2015 J.D. Powers IQS

The 2015 J.D. Power and Associates' Initial Quality Survey was released today revealing a different brand winner in each of the three pickup truck segments. The IQS study examines problems experienced by new vehicle owners in the first 90 days of ownership, measuring problems in eight different categories: exterior, seats, driving experience, engine/transmission, features/controls, interior, heating/air conditioning and audio/navigation.

The industry as a whole improved by 3 percent, according to the report, with Porsche and Kia dominating the results. The winner and second-place finishers in the three dedicated pickup categories are:
Midsize Pickup

Winner: Toyota Tacoma
Runner-up: Nissan Frontier
Large Light-Duty Pickup

Winner: Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Runner-up: Ram 1500
Large Heavy-Duty Pickup

Winner: Ford Super Duty
Runner-up: Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500

For the full story and chart listing scores by brand as well as the winners of each of the 26 segment categories, click here to read coverage at Cars.com News.

Manufacturer images

Source:  http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2015/06/ford-chevrolet-toyota-pickups-are-segment-leaders-in-2015-jd-power-iqs.html

Four Chevrolets Rank Highest in J.D. Power U.S. Initial Quality

DETROIT – The Chevrolet Malibu, Equinox (tie), Silverado LD and Spark ranked highest in their respective segments for the 2015 J.D. U.S. Power Initial Quality StudySM. Chevrolet has 10 models in Top 3 positions, more than any other brand, foreign or domestic.

The other Chevrolet nameplates achieving a Top 3 score for their respective segment include the Sonic, Traverse, Camaro, Impala, Silverado HD and Tahoe.

“We are constantly challenging ourselves to bring to market the highest-quality products for our customers, regardless of the type of vehicle they purchase,” said Alan Batey, global Chevrolet president. “Quality studies like this one tell us we are moving in the right direction.”

The IQS announcement for 2015 models coincides with a strong May sales performance for many of the brand’s nameplates highlighted in the study. Overall, Chevrolet U.S. sales are up 1.6 percent over the same period last year.

Malibu: Total sales up 11 percent
Equinox: Total sales up 30 percent
Silverado LD: Total sales up 12 percent
Traverse: Total sales up 2 percent
Sonic: Total sales up 3 percent
Silverado HD: Total sales up 6 percent

The 2015 IQS is based on responses from more than 86,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2015 model year vehicles surveyed at 90 days of ownership. The study includes a 233-question survey designed to provide manufacturers with information they can use to quickly identify problems and drive improvement.

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 around 4.8 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.

2015 GMC SAVANA CARGO OFFERS TRADEMARK VERSATILITY

GMC Savana Cargo is a versatile van designed to make work easier and more accommodating. It is available in regular (135-inch / 3,429-mm) and extended (155-inch / 3,937-mm) wheelbase lengths, in heavy-duty 2500 Series and 3500 Series models.

The 2500 Series includes models rated at 8,600 pounds (3,901 kg) GVWR, with the 3500 Series includes full-bodied models rated at 9,600 pounds (4,354 kg) GVWR with a standard 6.0L gas V-8 and 9,900 pounds (4,490 kg) with the available Duramax 6.6L turbo-diesel.

A wide range of features and configurations offers many competitive advantages, with standard and available features including:

•     Standard 4.8L and available 6.0L gas engines
•     Available dedicated compressed natural gas package
•     Available 6.6L Duramax turbo-diesel engine with B20 biodiesel capability
•     Fuel-saving six-speed automatic transmissions
•     Available locking rear differential
•     Trailer rating of up to 10,000 pounds (4,535 kg)
•     StabiliTrak electronic stability control is standard on all models
•     SiriusXM Satellite Radio is available.

The Savana Crew Cargo Van offers a three-passenger rear bench, with additional equipment including full-length black rubberized-vinyl floor covering, fixed full-body window package glass, swing-out passenger-side door, head- and side-curtain air bags and a Medium Pewter interior color. On extended wheelbase models, it also includes rear air conditioning.

Savana design and exterior features:

•     Chrome appearance package is available and includes chrome front and rear bumpers and chrome grille with dual composite headlamps. Black-painted bumpers are standard
•     Swing-out 60/40-split passenger-side doors are standard.
•     Sliding passenger-side door is available
•     Heated power-adjustable outside folding mirrors are available on all models.
•     Sixteen-inch steel wheels are standard
•     Ambulance prep package and hotel shuttle package are available
•     Exterior colors: Quicksilver Metallic, Cyber Gray Metallic, Dark Blue Metallic, Black, Dark Green Metallic, Summit White, Victory Red, Wheatland Yellow, Emerald Green and Bronze Alloy Metallic.

Savana interior standard and available features:

•     Power locks are standard
•     Air conditioning (single-zone) is standard
•     Rear air conditioning is available
•     A range of audio systems, including CD/MP3 capability and USB port, and navigation is available on all models. An audio system provision package is standard
•     SiriusXM Satellite Radio is available
•     Driver information center is standard on all models. A compass and outside temperature features are available
•     A rear auxiliary heater is available
•     An enhanced interior lighting package three light-emitting diode roof-mounted lights in the cargo area is standard
•     Two auxiliary 12-volt power outlets are standard and located on the dashboard
•     110-volt outlet located on dash is standard
•     Remote keyless entry is available
•     Remote vehicle starter system is available
•     Six-way power-adjustable driver and passenger seats are available
•     Leather-wrapped steering wheel and steering wheel audio controls are available
•     Custom vinyl or cloth upholstery is offered in Neutral or Medium Pewter colors.

Savana powertrains – 6.6L Duramax diesel
The available Duramax turbo-diesel V-8 delivers best-in-class torque and horsepower. Known by its “LGH” engine code, it is rated at 260 horsepower (194 kW) and 525 lb-ft of torque (711 Nm).

The LGH Duramax was designed with a robust EGR cooling system, along with revised turbocharger tuning that helps enhance EGR performance. It also has a large-capacity selective catalytic reduction system. In fact, the engine features the latest in emission control technology, making it the cleanest Duramax engine ever produced. NOx emissions are controlled via a Selective Catalyst Reduction aftertreatment system that uses urea-based Diesel (Emission) Exhaust Fluid (DEF). The DEF is housed in a 5.83-gallon (20 L) tank and needs to be replenished about every 5,000 miles (8,000 km). Electrically heated lines feed the DEF to the emission system to ensure adequate delivery in cold weather.

The Duramax also includes GM’s second-generation diesel particulate filter system. Unlike most competitors’ systems, the Duramax regenerates its diesel particulate filter using a downstream injection of diesel fuel directly into the exhaust stream and can travel up to 700 miles (1,125 km) between regenerations – a 300-mile (482 km) increase over the previous Duramax engine. The use of downstream injection also helps improve engine life by eliminating concerns surrounding the possibility of diesel fuel contaminating engine oil, which can happen when fuel used for regeneration is introduced directly into the cylinder.

The Duramax also provides outstanding cold-weather performance, with  microprocessor-controlled glow plugs capable of gas engine-like start performance in less than three seconds in temperatures as low as -20 degrees F (-29 C), without a block heater. The engine has been developed to operate for at least 200,000 miles (322,000 km) on a rough-duty cycle without the need for a major overhaul; and it is backed with a five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

A fuel-operated heater (FOH) also is available for vans equipped with the Duramax 6.6L to quickly provide heat to the vehicle interior in cold weather. The seamlessly integrated system is designed into the Savana chassis, saving customers the time and labor of upfitting an aftermarket system. The electronically controlled, fuel-operated heater operates automatically, turning on and off within parameters that include outside air temperature, fuel level, coolant temperature and whether the engine is running. It features a self-contained, pressurized auxiliary coolant heater (with a surge tank) that uses diesel fuel to generate up to 17,200 Btu/h (5 kW) of heating energy.

The Duramax engine is backed by GM’s Hydra-Matic 6L90 heavy-duty six-speed automatic transmission.

Savana powertrains – gas engines
GMC Savana offers a choice of two gas engines: a standard 4.8L V-8 rated at 285 horsepower (213 kW) and 295 lb-ft of torque (400 Nm) and an available 6.0L V-8 rated at 342 horsepower (255 kW) and 373 lb-ft of torque (506 Nm). Each is part of GM’s legendary small-block engine family and designed for quiet operation, including:

•     Special friction-reducing polymer coating on piston skirts
•     Full-floating piston pins
•     Damping patch on the oil pan (externally mounted)
•     Timing chain tensioner
•     Quieter alternator.

Backing the engines’ quietness is the assurance of long-lasting performance. The engine family was validated under extreme conditions, with the 6.0L engine dynamometer-tested to the equivalent of 200,000 miles – 50,000 miles more than other engines in the family. The engines also feature many long-life engine components that can reduce maintenance intervals and costs. The iridium-tip spark plugs, engine coolant, accessory drive belt and sealing gaskets are some of these items.

Some of the stringent durability testing included cycling engines between the peak torque and peak horsepower rpm points – the equivalent of towing a heavy trailer up a steep grade – for 600 straight hours.

The engines are mated to the Hydra-Matic 6L90 six-speed automatic and a fast-idle option makes it easier to run accessories at a work site.

The 6.0L is also offered in a special version with hardened valve seats for the available dedicated compressed natural gas models – the industry’s only CNG vehicles that are fully integrated at the factory, crash tested and backed by GM’s 100,000 mile/five-year transferable powertrain limited warranty. Two systems are offered:

•     A three-tank system (RPO code UFM) provides a range of up to 200 miles and allows complete use of the cargo area
•     A four-tank system (RPO code UFP) provides a range of up to 300 miles, with the additional tank in the driver’s side of the cargo area, just inboard of the wheel well.

Savana chassis and suspension
The Savana is built on a strong, ladder-type full frame architecture. The frame features fully boxed sections for greater strength and rigidity, while extended and tapered front frame rails are used for improved crashworthiness. Also, additional tubular frame cross members are used to increase torsional stiffness.

All models feature an independent short-long arm (SLA) front suspension, with a 35mm front stabilizer bar. Two-stage, semi-elliptic multi-leaf springs are used in the rear suspension and help locate a semi-floating axle.

Additional chassis and suspension features include:

•     Hydroboost four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and dynamic rear proportioning
•     StabiliTrak electronic stability control is standard on all models
•     A locking rear differential is available
•     31-gallon (117.3 L) fuel tank is standard on all models (except for dedicated compressed natural gas package)
•     8,600-pound GVWR on 2500 models
•     9,600-pound / 9,900-pound GVWR on 3500 models.

Savana safety and crash-avoidance features
Savana is equipped with a host of safety features, including available head curtain side air bags, which provide a higher level of protection in the event of a side impact or a vehicle rollover. Additional safety features include:

•     StabiliTrak is standard
•     Tire pressure monitoring system is standard
•     Flat and convex exterior mirrors for a wider field of vision are standard
•     Four-wheel anti-lock disc brake system with Hydroboost is standard
•     Driver and front passenger air bags are standard
•     Daytime Running Lamps are standard.