UPS INVESTS IN PROPANE FOR U.S. DELIVERY FLEET

Initial fueling infrastructure built at 50 locations in collaboration with 

Propane Education & Research Council 

 

ATLANTA, March 5, 2014 – UPS^® (NYSE: UPS) today announced plans to purchase 1,000 propane package delivery trucks and install an initial 50 fueling stations at UPS locations. The investment in propane vehicles and infrastructure is approximately $70 million.

 

The propane fleet will replace gasoline- and diesel-fueled vehicles used largely in rural areas in Louisiana and Oklahoma with other states pending. The vehicles on these routes can travel up to 200 miles on a tank of propane. Operations will begin by mid-2014 and be completed early next year.  

 

“The UPS alternative fuel strategy is to invest in the most environmentally friendly and economical energy sources,” said David Abney, UPS chief operating officer. “Propane meets those criteria as a clean-burning fuel that lowers operating costs and is readily accessible, especially on rural routes in the United States. States that attract this type of investment with tax incentives and grants will factor into the UPS deployment strategy.”  

 

UPS, in collaboration with the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), a non-profit propane technology incubator, worked with equipment manufacturers to secure certifications with the EPA and California Air Resources Board. 

 

UPS tested 20 propane-powered brown delivery trucks successfully this past winter in Gainesville, Ga., and expanded its order with Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. UPS uses a "rolling laboratory" approach to test different fuel sources and technologies according to their route characteristics. The new propane fleet is expected to travel more than 25 million miles and to displace approximately 3.5 million gallons of conventional gasoline and diesel per year.

 

“The opportunity to road test new propane vehicles and fueling equipment with one of the most sophisticated fleets in the country is a major milestone for the propane industry,” said Roy Willis, president and CEO of PERC. “This announcement is the culmination of many entities bringing together the best in propane technology to achieve the greatest economic and environmental results.” 

 

The UPS deployment this year benefits from propane autogas’ wide availability as a result of increased natural gas production in the U.S., and there is more price stability with the accessible supply. UPS currently operates nearly 900 propane vehicles in Canada.

 

UPS has one of the largest private alternative fuel fleets in the nation with more than 3,150 alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles. This includes all-electric, hybrid electric, hydraulic hybrid, CNG, LNG, propane, biomethane, and light-weight fuel-saving composite body vehicles. 

 

For more information on UPS's sustainability initiatives, review the company's 2012 Corporate Sustainability Report at www.ups.com/sustainability. The upcoming 2013 report is to be released mid-year.

 

 

About the Vehicles: The Freightliner Custom Chassis built for UPS uses a GM engine. Both the engine and system integration were provided by Powertrain Integration. The propane autogas fuel system was supplied from CleanFuel USA. Development of the engine, fuel platform and chassis were made possible through cooperation between these companies and the Propane Education & Research Council.   

 

UPS (NYSE:UPS) is a global leader in logistics, offering a broad range of solutions for the transportation of packages and freight, including innovative delivery options for the global consumer market; the facilitation of international trade, and the deployment of advanced technology to more efficiently manage the world of business. The company also has a world-class sustainability program committed to positive social, community and environmental impact. Headquartered in Atlanta, UPS serves more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. The company can be found on the Web at ups.com^® and its corporate blog can be found at blog.ups.com.

NEW 2015 Ford Transit

The all-new Transit builds on its more than 45 years of leadership in Europe as the best-selling commercial van. On sale this summer, Transit will offer the widest choice of roof heights, wheelbases and body lengths to maximize flexibility, plus a full suite of onboard features and technologies that are intuitive, easy to operate and designed for business. Three proven powertrains will offer best-in-class mileage with plenty of performance to get the job done, while also providing alternative fuel options. Transit eventually will replace Ford E-Series, which has reigned as America's best-selling van for 35 years.

ISUZU CELEBRATES 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF ISUZU COMMERCIAL TRUCKS IN U.S. MARKET

America’s Top-Selling LCF Truck Since 1986 Marks Milestone 

with Extension of 24/60 Covered Maintenance Program

ANAHEIM, Calif.—Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc., distributor of America’s best-selling low cab forward trucks, commemorated the 30th anniversary of Isuzu trucks in the U.S.
market.  A special ceremony will happen this week during the National Truck Equipment Association’s 2014 Work Truck Show in Indianapolis, Indiana.

As part of the anniversary celebration, Isuzu announced that it will continue the 24/60 Covered Maintenance Program for new Isuzu diesel trucks purchased by June 2014- providing factory-recommended maintenance for 24 months or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first.

“The quality and durability of Isuzu commercial trucks is, of course, a significant reason for our enduring success in the United States,” said Shaun Skinner, executive vice president and general manager of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. “But Isuzu trucks would not have been America’s best-selling low cab forward trucks for the last 28 years in a row if it weren’t for the efforts of our dealers and the loyalty of our customers. Extending the Isuzu 24/60 Covered Maintenance Program is one way we’re saying thanks during this 30th anniversary celebration.”

The Isuzu 24/60 Covered Maintenance Program includes: an initial ‘Dry Service’ at 4,000 miles, an ‘A Service’ beginning at 10,000 miles and continuing every 10,000 miles, and an inclusive ‘A/B Service’ at 50,000 miles.

The extension of the covered maintenance program promises to be merely the first important announcement Isuzu will make during the 30th anniversary celebration. Isuzu senior management will meet directly with dealers during a series of whistle-stop meetings later in March, and additionally will conduct a celebratory dealer meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in October.
The KS22, the first Isuzu truck in America, arrived at the Port of Jacksonville, Florida on November 10, 1984.  It had no tilt cab and was powered by an 87-horsepower engine.

Though primitive by today’s standards, the truck struck a chord with American truck buyers who were looking for durability, dependability, flexibility, and low cost of ownership in a      medium-duty truck. In 1986, barely a year after their stateside launch, Isuzu trucks became the best-selling low cab forward truck in the United States, a position held ever since—an unprecedented 28 consecutive years.

Today, Isuzu trucks command 80% of the U.S. low cab forward truck market. Isuzu’s current array of N-Series trucks is the only line-up of LCF trucks in the industry to offer a choice of two diesel engines plus a gasoline engine that’s both CNG and LPG capable. In addition, they are the first trucks in their class to be 50-state clean-idle certified and to meet EPA 2010 and CARB HD-OBD standards, the most stringent emissions requirements in the world.

“Our trucks offer state-of-the-art technology and are the industry leaders in efficiency, dependability, durability and low cost of operation,” Skinner said. “With great product, great dealers and great customers, we expect their next 30 years in the United States to be even more successful than the first 30 years.”

Highlights of Isuzu Truck History

2014:  Isuzu trucks’ 30th anniversary in the U.S.
2013:  Isuzu N-Series is named Medium-Duty Truck of the Year by Work Truck magazine
2012:  Reach is named Medium-Duty Truck of the Year by Work Truck Magazine
2011:  Reach, the revolutionary new walk-in van powered by Isuzu, begins production in
 Wakarusa, Indiana.
2010: Isuzu N-Series trucks are the first trucks in their class to be EPA 2010 and CARB HD-OBD compliant, and to be 50-state clean-idle certified
2005: The 50,000th N/W-Series gasoline-powered truck is built in Janesville, Wisconsin.
2002: Cumulative sales of Isuzu trucks in the United States exceed 275,000 units.
1994: The first American-assembled gasoline-powered NPR-EFI is assembled in Janesville,
 Wisconsin.
1986: R.L. Polk certifies Isuzu trucks as the best-selling import commercial truck in the United  States. Isuzu trucks have held that position for 28 consecutive years.
1984: Isuzu trucks enter the U.S. market with the KS22.
1959: Isuzu Motors Limited introduces the world’s first 2-ton light-duty low cab forward truck, the first-generation of a line of vehicles now marketed in the United States as the           N-Series.
1955: Isuzu diesel engines, diesel-powered snow tractors and other equipment are delivered to
 Japan’s Antarctic Observation Base. Isuzu equipment has been operational at the South  Pole ever since.
1936: First air-cooled diesel engine built in Japan by Isuzu Motors Limited.
1919: First truck in Japan built by the predecessor of Isuzu Motors Limited.


About Isuzu Trucks:
Isuzu commercial trucks have been the best-selling low cab forward trucks in America every year since 1986.  Headquartered in Anaheim, California, Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc., is the distributor of Isuzu commercial vehicles in the United States. Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. is a subsidiary of Isuzu Motors Limited, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of medium- and heavy-duty trucks.

For more information, call (866) 441-9638 or visit www.isuzucv.com. 

Aluminum + Steel = Efficiency + Strength

Decades of research and development are about to pay off. Combining high-strength, military grade, aluminum with high-strength steel has created a lean machine that's heavy on capability.

UD Trucks proudly presents: Going the extra mile

At UD Trucks, we have a passion for Ultimate Dependability.

Our ethos is to always go the extra mile in everything we do. We leave nothing to chance and always look to provide customers with the optimum transport solutions.

Our aim is simple: To excel on the essentials that make a difference for our customers, both now and long into the future. And with this in mind, we strive to create the most modern, smart and cost-effective trucks the world has ever seen.

For more information, please visit www,udtrucks.com

Ram Truck Brand Celebrates the Ram 1500 Winning its First-Ever Back-to-Back Motor Trend ‘Truck of the Year®’ Honor With Building Wrap Covering Chrysler Group World Headquarters

• 145-foot-wide-by-155-foot-tall image takes up 10 floors of the Company’s 15-floor Auburn Hills, Mich., headquarters
• Ram 1500 named 2013 and 2014 Motor Trend Truck of Year®, the first-ever back-to-back champion

February 27, 2014 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - The Ram Truck Brand today unveiled a 145-foot-wide-by-155-foot-tall building wrap on the tower of the Chrysler Group LLC headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich.

The building wrap celebrates the Ram 1500 being named Motor Trend’s “Truck of the Year®” in 2013 and 2014, marking the first time any vehicle has won this prestigious honor for two consecutive years.

Motor Trend gave the unprecedented honor to the Ram 1500 in December 2013. Motor Trend’s judges ran nine contenders for the Truck of the Year honor through a series of tests, and when the votes were cast, the Ram 1500 emerged the winner.

“Half-ton truck customers have been asking for a diesel engine and Ram is the only truck manufacturer to answer the bell and deliver not only best-in-class fuel economy, but also 9,200 pounds of towing capacity,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO – Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “In a brutally competitive truck industry, the Ram 1500 is the only vehicle to ever win Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year award two years in a row, reaffirming the fact that we have the best truck on the road.”

The image on the wrap is that of the front end of a 1500 coming across a truss bridge. The wrap is located on the west side of the Headquarters Tower facing the main entrance to the company’s Auburn Hills Complex and Interstate 75, which carries more than 140,000 motorists past it each day.

Ram Truck advertising agency, The Richards Group of Dallas, designed the image and IM Branded of Rochester Hills, Mich., produced and installed the building wrap.

Building Wrap Facts 

• The building wrap covers 10 floors of the 15-floor Headquarters Tower
• The entire Ram 1500 building wrap is 145 feet wide and 155 feet tall
• The Ram 1500 image is 40 feet wide by 55 feet tall and takes up four floors of the building
• The truck grille is 40 feet wide by 15 feet tall, the windshield is 18 feet wide by 4 feet high and the headlights are 5 feet square
• The Ram 1500 “Motor Trend Truck of the Year Back-to-Back Champion” banner at the top is 40 feet wide by 80 feet tall
• The wrap took four days to install

A full report of Motor Trend’s comprehensive Truck of the Year testing is featured onMotorTrend.com and in the February 2014 magazine issue.

About the Ram Truck Brand
The Ram Truck brand continues to establish its own identity and clearly define its customer since its launch as a standalone vehicle brand. Creating a distinct brand for Ram trucks has allowed the brand to concentrate on how core customers use their trucks and what new features they'd like to see. Whether focusing on a family that uses its half-ton truck day in and day out, a hard-working Ram Heavy Duty owner or a business that depends on its commercial vehicles every day, Ram has the truck market covered.

The Ram Truck brand has the most innovative lineup of full-size trucks on the market. Ram Truck has emerged as a full-size truck leader by investing substantially in new products, infusing them with great looks, refined interiors, durable engines and features that further enhance their capabilities. Truck customers, from half-ton to commercial, have a demanding range of needs and require their vehicles to provide high levels of capability. Ram trucks are designed to deliver a total package.

About Motor Trend Magazine
Motor Trend, a publication of Source Interlink Media, LLC, was founded in 1949 and has a circulation of 1.1 million and a total readership of 7 million. Internationally recognized as one of the leading brands in automotive publishing, Motor Trend comprises Motor Trend Magazine; the award-winning website MotorTrend.com; the Motor Trend YouTube Channel; Motor Trend Radio; Truck Trend; Motor Trend International Auto Shows; Motor Trend en Español; and the renowned Motor Trend Car, Truck, and SUV of the Year Awards program. The MotorTrend.comwebsite attracts more than 5.5 million unique visitors per month and its YouTube channel averages more than 1 million views a week. Motor Trend's social media presence spans 3.3 million followers across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Google Plus.

FORD CELEBRATES AUSSIE UTE’S 80TH ANNIVERSARY AS THE PIONEER OF THE COMPANY’S GLOBAL TRUCK LEADERSHIP

• Ford celebrates the 80th anniversary of its ute – the forerunner of modern pickup trucks – based on the first sale to a Melbourne-area farmer in February 1934
• A 23-year-old Ford Australia designer created the ute by listening to the farming family’s request for a vehicle with more utility
• Ford’s truck teams translate customer needs into innovations more than ever, including the all-new 2015 F-150 with high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloys throughout the body
• Ford sold more than one million pickups globally in 2013 based on Ranger growth in Asia, F-Series’ 37th straight year as America’s best-selling truck and the “International Pick-Up Award 2013” in Europe

Ford is celebrating the 80th anniversary of its Australian invention of the iconic ute, which led to the development of vehicles such as the F-Series and Ranger and propelled the company to years of truck leadership.

Not only was it an Australian invention, but the concept has been exported to the world, reinterpreted by other manufacturers and gained a legion of fans everywhere.

The story of the first Ford ute is a key part of Ford’s rich heritage that has seen the development of such iconic vehicles as the F-Series.

Farming roots

Like all good ideas, the first integrated passenger-car based Ute was born out of necessity, very much like the first Model T Ford.

In mid-1933 the then managing director of the Ford Motor Company of Australia, Hubert French, received a letter from a farmer’s wife in Gippsland, Victoria.

She wrote: “My husband and I can’t afford a car and a truck but we need a car to go to church on Sunday and a truck to take the pigs to market on Monday. Can you help?” What the customer wanted was a vehicle with passenger car comfort but could also carry loads.

French passed the letter on to a young design engineer, Lewis (Lew) Bandt, who had joined the company only a few years previously as Ford’s only designer. Bandt was just 23 years old but was already showing a flair for design for which he was to become quite famous until he retired in 1975.

Bandt died in 1987, after being involved in an accident driving a restored version of the Utility he helped make famous.

Bandt’s take on the passenger car-based utility was considered revolutionary at the time. Until the early 1930s, many auto manufacturers and vehicle body builders had constructed wooden or metal ‘utility’ bodies on car chassis. Henry Ford’s Model T was a particular favourite and Ford T “Buckboards” and “Utility Runabouts” were to be found on farms and delivering goods in towns and cities throughout the world.

The ute is Born

Where Bandt’s design differed was that he developed his Ford utility as a coupe (two-passenger, steel-paneled, glass-windowed car) with an integrated steel-paneled load carrying section at the rear. What Bandt did was to blend the ‘pickup’ sides into a coupe body, which provided a cleaner profile and increased the load area behind the cabin.

Bandt sketched out his ute on a 10 metre blackboard, giving it a 545 kilogram (1200-pound) payload on a wheelbase of 2845 mm (9 feet, 4 inches).

He completed his original design in October, 1933, and quickly produced two prototypes for testing. By January 23, 1934, he had the final drawings and the new Ford ute went into production with Bandt christening his design a ‘coupe-utility’. When the first utes came off the production line in 1934 two were sent to Canada. The car even caught the eye of Henry Ford.

Bandt’s original full-scale blueprint drawings of the 1934 coupe utility are now archived in Australia and the rebuilt version of the Bandt coupe-utility is – appropriately – housed in a museum in the rural country Victorian town of Chewton, near Melbourne.

In its day, the Ford coupe-utility boasted a V8 engine and three-speed manual gearbox while its suspension was by transverse leaf springs with shock absorbers at the front and heavy duty semi-elliptic rear springs and shock absorbers at the rear.

The cabin was the same as the four-door Model 40 Ford five-window coupe. But, instead of the rear luggage compartment or ‘dicky seat’, Bandt added a wooden-framed utility section with steel outer panels welded to the coupe body to form a smooth-sided vehicle.

The result was quickly hailed as the ‘must have’ vehicle for the rural communities and 22,000 were sold between 1940 and 1954.

Lew Bandt’s daughter, Dr Ros Bandt said it was her father’s stunning foresight to marry beautiful design and on-the-ground practicality and make it available to all Ford customers.

“I can't imagine what it must have been like in this pressured war-torn time in the 1930s to have the vision to create an affordable Ute on the land to help with everyday tasks, both work and play and be able to connect over distance,” Dr Bandt said.

“Dad created a brilliant stylish workhorse, which is the legacy he has left to all farmers and owners who enjoy and depend on their utes worldwide. In his words; he wanted the farmer's wife and the pigs to have a glorious ride.”

Lewis Bandt’s coupe utility was a first for Ford Australia and his ingenuity had a great impact on the then developing Australia auto industry.

The original Bandt-designed Ford ute paved the way for what has morphed into what has become some of the world’s biggest selling vehicles – the Pickup or utility. It also spawned the Falcon ute, which has been a firm favourite with customers since the first Falcon XK ute was launched in 1961.

In total, Ford Australia has sold more than 455,000 Falcon utes, among the most popular being the Falcon XB, XF II, AU II, BA and current FG models.

The Australian designed and developed Ford Ranger is also widely sold in more than 180 different countries.

Global truck leadership

Ford sold more than one million trucks globally in 2013, building on the company’s truck leadership that includes:

• Ford pickups globally represent one out of every five pickups sold
• F-Series is the best-selling vehicle in the history of the pickup truck industry with more than 33 million trucks sold – twice as many as the No. 2 vehicle, the Model T (16.5 million)
• F-Series became the world’s best-selling truck in the United States for the 37th consecutive year and the best-selling vehicle in the country for the 32th straight year
• Ranger achieved best-ever sales and was Ford’s best-selling vehicle across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2013 and earned “International Pick-Up Award 2013” in Europe
• Ranger was the best-selling vehicle overall in Vietnam, saw sales rise 43 per cent in Thailand and is challenging to become New Zealand’s top-selling truck by overtaking Toyota HiLux in sales six months in the past two years

The 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel Hits the Road to Dealerships

How hot is the 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel? You already know orders for the only diesel offering in its segment topped 8,000 in just three days earlier this month. Now, the wait is over for the buyers as these trucks hit the road on Wednesday to dealerships. We captured all the action as the trucks rolled out of the Warren Truck Plant in Warren, MI.

CTS: EXCELLENT!

2014 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn EcoDiesel V6

PickupTrucks.com editor Mark Williams is in Arizona at the Firebird International Raceway for PickupTrucks.com's Annual Physical pickup comparison. Check out the video for Mark's impressions on Ram's new V6-powered diesel pickup. See more at www.pickuptrucks.com

Ez Stak Drawer Unit Helps Organize Business

Custom Drawer Units with adjustable dividers. Installed in a Spacekap Diablo by Expertec. Video courtesy of Jason Morrow.

EZ Stak are leaders in the commercial vehicle accessory industry focused on helping organize tools, parts and other items for the service and construction field. Whether it is standard or custom drawer sets for service and utility bodies, or for any other commercial use, EZ Stak can take care of your needs efficiently and effectively.

To see more about this company and their products, go to www.ezstak.com, or call 800-677-0359.

Thank you, Jason for this excellent video.

2015 Chevrolet City Express Delivers the Goods

Versatile urban work van blends cargo room, maneuverability and efficiency

CHICAGO – Chevrolet’s all-new 2015 City Express matches maneuverability and cargo-hauling flexibility with efficiency, giving urban business owners and fleet managers value-driven capability with low operating costs.

The City Express goes on sale this fall, offering 122.7 cubic feet (3,474 liters) of customizable cargo space, a tight turning diameter of only 36.7 feet (11.2 m) and an estimated payload capacity of 1,500 pounds.

The City Express also will deliver greater efficiency than full-size vans due to its smaller size and a 2.0L inline-four-cylinder engine with continuously variable valve timing matched to a continuously variable transmission.

“As the newest member of the Chevrolet Express family of vans, the 2015 City Express offers a smaller, more efficient choice for businesses that don’t need the cargo volume or other capabilities of a full-size van,” said Ed Peper, U.S. vice president, GM Fleet and Commercial. “It is an easy-to-maneuver van that makes the most of its compact dimensions with clever features, allowing business owners to maximize its space – and their resources – with a vehicle sized for their needs.”

Versatile and well-equipped
Designed for function, the City Express’s all-important cargo area accommodates large and bulky items, with 4’6” of space from side wall to side wall – more than enough to load a standard 40” x 48” pallet flat on the floor.

There’s also 6’10” of room from the rear doors to the back of the front seats. With the passenger seat folded, the length grows to 9’8”. The tops of the rear wheel houses are flat to enable tiered storage and to maximize storage space.
Additional features include:

• Fold-down passenger seat that converts to a flat work space
• Center console designed for storage, including a standard file folder bin
• Tall, 40/60-split rear cargo doors that open to 90- and 180-degree angles
• Left- and right-side sliding doors
• Twenty integrated cargo-mounting points throughout the interior
• Six floor-mounted D-rings
• Six exterior roof rack mounting points
• Standard vinyl flooring
• Standard solid rear doors with tinted-glass windows available
• Standard driver information center
• Standard power windows
• 12-volt power outlet standard on LS
• Remote keyless entry with automatic locking feature standard on LT
• Heated, power-adjustable outside mirrors standard on LT
• Cruise control standard on LT, (available on LS)
• Backup sensors standard on LT, available on LS)

“The City Express is engineered to carry what’s important to business owners – and do it with cost-effective efficiency and surprising versatility,” said Peper.

A Technology package available on LT models includes a 5.8-inch diagonal touch screen, navigation, Sirius/XM Satellite Radio with a three-month trial period, Bluetooth phone connectivity, a USB input and a rearview camera system.

Bluetooth connectivity is also available on LS models.

Under the hood
Rated at 131 horsepower (98 kW) and 139 lb-ft of torque (188 Nm), the City Express’s dual overhead cam 2.0L inline-four cylinder engine features continuously variable valve timing. A continuously variable transmission drives the front wheels, contributing to efficiency by making the most of torque delivery across the rpm band.

Designed to provide a balance of strength and low mass, a body-integral chassis enhances efficiency and the feeling of performance. A MacPherson-strut suspension is located in the front with a truck-style multi-leaf rear suspension. Other chassis features include 15-inch wheels, front disc brakes and efficiency-enhancing electric power steering.

Four-wheel antilock brakes and electronic brake-force distribution are standard, as is an electronic stability control system.

The City Express also comes with six airbags standard: dual-stage frontal airbags, side-impact supplemental airbags and roof-mounted curtain airbags for enhanced side-impact and rollover protection.

The City Express gets Chevrolet’s Complete Care including:

• Three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper new vehicle limited warranty
• Five-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty
• Two-year/24,000-mile scheduled maintenance

All 3,200 Chevrolet dealerships across the United States can service the City Express.
Based on the Nissan NV200, the City Express comes i LS and LT trims. Pricing will be announced later.

Chevrolet also offers Express full-size cargo vans in half-ton, three-quarter-ton and 1-ton chassis, in regular and extended lengths, and with gas – including CNG-capable – and diesel engines. Cut-away and passenger models are also available.


Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.9 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

2015 Silverado HDs Run Cleaner, Save Money on CNG

• Available, cleaner-burning CNG-capable 6.0L engine expands to all 2500HD and 3500HD cab styles
• Can enable fuel-cost savings of more than $2,000 annually
• OEM-validated CNG system covered by GM’s factory powertrain limited warranty

CHICAGO – Chevrolet’s expanded availability of bi-fuel versions of the new 2015 Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD trucks give customers and fleet managers more choices for cleaner-burning compressed natural gas-powered models – and savings at the pump.



With CNG currently priced about 62 percent less per gallon than gasoline, a work truck driven 26,000 miles a year can save more than $2,000 annually based on 75-percent CNG usage and comparable efficiency to gasoline.

“With CNG capability to be offered on all Silverado HD cab configurations, customers have a wider range of choices when it comes to selecting the alternatively fueled truck that matches their needs,” said Ed Peper, U.S. vice president, General Motors Fleet and Commercial. “And for companies and municipalities that maintain multiple trucks in their fleet, the fuel cost savings of CNG can really add up in a year.”

The CNG option is available on all Silverado 2500HD configurations and Silverado 3500HD models with single rear wheels. The 2500HD double cab and crew cab models are on sale now, with 2500HD regular cab and all 3500HD models going on sale in July.

With the additional driving range enabled by a separate CNG tank, Silverado HD bi-fuel models have a total range of up to 650 miles, meaning less time needed for fill-ups. When equipped with a 4.10 axle ratio, the maximum conventional trailering rating is 13,000 pounds on gas or CNG.

GM warrants and validates the fuel systems of the 2015 Silverado HD bi-fuel trucks.   GM’s five-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty covers CNG fuel systems. All major components associated with the CNG system also carry GM service part numbers, for availability throughout the largest dealer network in the United States. That’s not the case with some other manufacturers’ available bi-fuel trucks.

“Silverado bi-fuel pickups are available through any of Chevrolet’s more than 3,000 dealerships across America just like any other model,” said Peper. “It’s one of the industry’s most seamless integration of OEM-delivered CNG vehicles.”

The unique version of the 6.0L engine – identified by an LC8 engine code – features special hardened valves and valve seats that enable it to run on CNG or gasoline. It is rated at 360 horsepower (268 kW) and 380 lb-ft of torque (515 Nm) on gas, and 301 horsepower (225 kW) and 333 lb-ft of torque (452 Nm) on CNG.

A separate CNG fuel tank enables the driver to switch between fuels at the flip of a switch. When the CNG tank is depleted, the system automatically switches to gasoline. GM’s tier-one supplier installs the CNG fuel tank and complementing fuel system upgrades at a secondary location. Chevrolet dealers deliver the trucks as they would with any optional content.

CNG is cleaner burning than conventional gasoline or diesel. Today, most of the natural gas used in the U.S. comes from domestic or other North American sources. Depending on their usage habits, many customers can recoup the incremental investment in CNG vehicles within a few years, and the lower fuel cost enables a significant reduction in daily operating costs. 

New Silverado HDs
The new 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD are engineered to be stronger and smarter than before, delivering the capability heavy-duty truck customers demand, with greater refinement for more comfort and confidence on the job and on the road.

Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD models come in Work Truck (WT), LT and LTZ trims, and are offered in regular cab, double cab and crew cab configurations. The regular cab comes only in WT and LT trims. The new double cab model replaces the previous extended cab and features forward-hinged rear doors, which allow easier access to the back seat, especially in tight parking spaces.

The trucks are available with all-new, stronger 6’6”and 8’ cargo boxes with standard CornerStep bumpers, EZ Lift-and-Lower tailgates, and other features to ease cargo handling. Available updates for 2015 include:

• All new cabs and interiors with increased comfort and extensive storage space tailored to the way customers use full-size trucks.
• Chevrolet MyLink, which provides powerful connectivity for work or family with simple, intuitive controls
• Integrated cruise control and Auto Grade Braking to help make trailering easier
• Standard StabiliTrak with Trailer Sway Control on all models, including 3500HD duallys.
• Models equipped with CNG system add cargo tie-downs on the tank cover and a single fuel gauge that displays fuel levels for gasoline and CNG.

Safety features such as Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning with an Active Safety Seat, and Front and Rear Park Assist are available on the 2015 Silverado HD. Head-curtain and seat-mounted side airbags are standard on 2500 models and available on 3500 models.

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.9 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

NISSAN UNVEILS CUSTOMIZED CHICAGO NV200 TAXI

Nissan offers Chicagoans the opportunity to say #HailYes to a better taxi experience via social media

CHICAGO – Following its introduction in New York City as the city's newest taxi, Nissan unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show a customized Chicago taxi featuring more content tailored to the unique needs of metropolitan cab service than ever before.

Chicago has about 7,000 cabs in service, and Nissan wants those who know them best — taxi riders and drivers — to engage in dialogue about what features make for a better taxi experience. The public can share their thoughts through social media such as Twitter or Facebook using #HailYes.
The Nissan NV200 taxi's green and white design expresses a modern take on a historically popular Chicago taxi color. The Chicago NV200 taxi offers USB charging, anti-fatigue driver's seats, panoramic sky views of the city, reduced odors, improved leg room, more cargo space, passenger safety and other conveniences that no other taxi offers.

The Nissan NV200 is the only taxi on the market to have been crash-tested with the partition installed. Because the partition and equipment are designed to custom-fit the vehicle, passenger safety is improved by rounded edges and fully functioning airbags — features that many taxis do not have.

"With great feedback from drivers, riders and media in New York, we've had a number of dealers across the country raise their hands to get a supply of NV200 taxis for cities such as Seattle, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City and across Texas. We think Chicago is a natural fit for the premium taxi experience NV200 delivers at a competitive price," said Fred Diaz, senior vice president, Nissan Sales & Marketing, Parts & Service, U.S.A.

"Nissan's #HailYes campaign will engage Chicagoans in conversation about what's needed for a better taxi experience in the city," said Diaz. "The solution for an improved taxi isn't a pipe dream; it's already here. We'd love to see those visiting or watching coverage of the Chicago Auto Show voice their support with a #HailYes shout-out in social media for the NV200 taxi."

Drawing on insight from taxi drivers, fleet owners and passengers, the Nissan NV200 taxi aims to provide the comfort and convenience of black-car service in an everyday taxi you can hail on the street. One of the Nissan NV200 taxi's popular design elements is the transparent roof that gives riders stunning views of Chicago city sights and skyscrapers.

Other features include:

• Ample room for four passengers and their luggage, offering substantial improvements over current and recently unveiled taxi models
• Sliding doors with entry step and grab handles, providing easy entry and exit
• Opening side windows
• Independently controlled, rear air conditioning
• Active carbon-lined headliner to help neutralize interior odors
• Overhead reading lights for passengers and floor lighting to help locate belongings
• Mobile charging ports for passengers, including a 12-volt electrical outlet and two USB ports
• Breathable, germ-fighting, durable and easy-to-clean seat fabric, simulating the look and feel of leather
• Flat "no hump" passenger floor area for more comfortable ride
• Roof-mounted curtain supplemental air bags for side-impact and rollover protection for all outboard occupants – the NV200 taxi is the first taxi to be crash-tested with taxi equipment installed, including the partition

Other notable NV200 taxi features focus on driver comfort, customer satisfaction and the environment:

• A low-annoyance horn with exterior lights that indicate when the vehicle is honking, so the horn is used less frequently
• Hearing Loop System for the hearing impaired
• Driver and passenger intercom system
• Proven 2.0L 4-cylinder powertrain, engineered to enhance the emission performance and fuel efficiency of the taxi fleet
• 150,000-mile powertrain limited warranty
• A 6-way adjustable driver's seat featuring both recline and lumbar adjustments, even with a partition installed
• Unique driver's seat material and stitching to promote improved airflow
• USB auxiliary audio input and charge port for driver
• Standard navigation system with integrated "RearView Monitor"
• Taxi wiring and installation provisions

The NV200 taxi is now on sale. Total manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) of the vehicle starts at approximately $29,700.


About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the Americas media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.

About Nissan
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama,
Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 236,000 employees globally, Nissan sold more than 4.9 million vehicles and generated revenue of 9.6 trillion yen (USD 116.16 billion) in fiscal 2012. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of over 60 models under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. In 2010, Nissan introduced the Nissan LEAF, and continues to lead in zero-emission mobility. The LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle launched globally, is now the best-selling EV in history.

For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.

Retro Classics Commercial Vehicles 2014: From the "workhorse" to the high-tech-Atego

• Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles with twelve historic and four new models at the Retro Classics show in Stuttgart
• Distribution transport then and now
• Pioneers of the diesel age from the 1930s and forward control trucks with Pullman cabs bring times past back to life
• "Trucks you can trust" – no empty promise

Mercedes-Benz is giving an insight into the development of the distribution sector with twelve historic models and four modern commercial vehicles at the Retro Classics show in Stuttgart (13 – 16 March 2014). The Mercedes star has emphatically made its mark on the distribution sector over the last 118 years of commercial vehicle history. Coinciding with the production start-up of the new-generation Atego, the commercial vehicle and classics experts at Mercedes-Benz are using the slogan "Distribution transport then and now" for their display this year. The distribution sector is Atego territory. In their respective eras, the Atego and its antecedents in the 7.5 to 11 t class were a common and defining sight on the roads. It would be no exaggeration to say that they are the real heroes of day-to-day commercial life. Without them our specialised economy would grind to a halt.

 

 

The very first trucks, for example the "Daimler 4 HP truck" of 1899, were already used for the short-radius day-to-day distribution of goods needed in daily life. Among the exhibits are a racing car transporter from the era of the 'Silver Arrows' based on the Lo 2750 of 1936, and the first truck from Wörth production, an LP 608 from 1965.

 

 

The vehicles on show in Hall 8 at the exhibition site by the airport come from private collectors, from the Wörth commercial vehicle plant and from the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center. To underline the contrast between then and now, the Mercedes-Benz plant in Wörth is sending four new vehicles to the show in Echterdingen, among them the latest Mercedes-Benz Atego with a beverage distribution body. The others are the latest SLT heavy-duty truck based on the Mercedes-Benz Arocs 4163 8x4, a four-axle tractor unit for extremely heavy-duty transport assignments with gross combination weights of up to 250 t, which was only presented to the public a few weeks ago, a heavy all-wheel drive tipper from the Arocs series and the new Mercedes-Benz Actros. Since 2001 the Retro Classics show in Stuttgart has established itself as one of the largest and most modern classic vehicle shows in Europe. Last year 77,000 visitors made their way to Stuttgart.

 

Fiery veterans and pioneers of the diesel age

 

Whether admiring the fiery veterans with glow tube ignition or the pioneering models of the diesel age from the 1930s – it is fascinating to follow the development of commercial vehicles from their initial "workhorse" status to the present-day sophistication of the high-tech Atego with its practically pollutant-free Euro VI technology.

 

 

The sight of the LP 608, a forward control truck with a Pullman cab which was the first model to leave the production lines of the newly completed Mercedes-Benz plant in Wörth in 1965, is bound to make the eyes of enthusiasts light up. These light trucks from Wörth were a common sight on the roads right up to the early 1980s.

 

On display in Hall 8, an LP 813 with a beverage distribution body and an LK 814, one of the bestselling light trucks in the period 1984 to 1998, are still to be seen on the roads around Stuttgart on a daily basis. Which beautifully and amply justifies the brand claim "Trucks you can trust" – or as Gottlieb Daimler put it: "You can place your trust in my commercial vehicles."

Clean Cities: Renzenberger Propane

We head to Kansas to Renzenberger Incorporated, a company that has provided "crew" transportation services to the nation's railroads for nearly 30 years. www.motorweek.org