See how the 2015 F-150 not only changes what trucks are made of, but how they're made

The assembly line that mass-produces the 2015 F-150 is as innovative as the truck itself. Two decades in the planning, it features incredibly precise computer-modeled stamping, rivets and flow-through screws instead of welds, and integrated scrap recycling. Watch how these new processes pay off in a truck that's built like no other.

The Truth About Transit Tour -The All-New Ford Transit Van

The Truth About Transit Tour will visit 19 cities across the United States from June into October. Participants will test drive Ford's all-new Transit van on a closed course specially designed to let them evaluate Transit's technology, handling and versatility.

The new 2014 Ford Transit Connect. The power of efficiency.

Economist Yoram Bauman explains that with EcoBoost® you get technology that can offer both power and efficiency.

CV Show 2014 Interview - Ford

Ford is set to complete the complete rejuvenation of the Transit range in July 2014 when the final piece of the jigsaw, the Courier, goes on sale in the UK. It follows the Custom, Connect and 'big' Transit in the all-new line-up and VansA2Z Editor Neil McIntee spoke to Ford of Britain's Director of Fleet Operations, Phil Hollins, at the 2014 Commercial Vehicle Show. www.vansA2Z.com

American Eagle Accessories - Ventura Fire Department Testimonial

The Ventura, Iowa Fire Department loves their American Eagle Heavy Duty Drawer System. Watch to find out why! See more:  www.americaneagleacc.com/drawersets

Stellar Industries OTR 9000 Tire Service Truck

Learn more about the Stellar Industries OTR 9000 Tire Service Truck at: http://www.stellarindustries.com/page...

CV Show 2014 Interview - Rhino Products

On the Rhino Products stand at the 2014 CV Show, VansA2Z editor Neil McIntee spoke to Managing Director Steve Egerton and Clive Boult, Sales & Marketing Director. New products being launched at the show included SafeStep and TowBar and later in 2014 Rhino will be introducing the new aluminium LadderStow range. www.vansA2Z.com

Ford Dearborn Truck Plant Celebrates 10 Years of Built Ford Tough Trucks

Ford Motor Company is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of its groundbreaking Dearborn Truck Plant. As the centerpiece of Ford Rouge Center, Dearborn Truck Plant was conceived as Ford's vision of sustainable manufacturing and has served as flagship for the company's next generation of lean and flexible plants. 

Dearborn Truck Plant has produced more than 2.6 million F-150 trucks since it opened in May 2004, and later this year, it will begin production of the all-new 2015 Ford F-150.

Inside Freightliner Manufacturing - NASCAR Hauler Trucks

Take a look inside our Freightliner Truck Plant in Cleveland, NC -- right in the backyard of NASCAR country! We gave our NASCAR hauler drivers and teams the chance to see how their new 2015 Cascadia trucks were built before they took them out on the road. Check it out! 

www.freightlinertrucks.com | www.facebook.com/freightliner | www.twitter.com/freightliner | www.instagram.com/freightlinertrucks

National Ford Truck Club BOLT Lock Interview

The National Ford Truck Club interviews BOLT Locks National Sales Manager Erika Garcia at the 2014 NTEA Work Truck Show about upcoming new products for BOLT Locks. See more at www.boltlock.com. Also see more about the National Ford Truck Club at www.nationalfordtruckclub.com

Palfinger Introduces New Products at The Work Truck Show 2014

The PALFINGER North America Group (Niagara Falls, ON) launched several new products at The Work Truck Show.

BADGER BODY – PC 3800
Mounted to a Ford Transit Chassis Cab, PALFINGER is exhibiting its Next Generation Badger Body with a PC 3800 Compact Crane! This exciting new tow body is highly configurable and features a contoured bulkhead with integrated stop/tail/turn lights, roll formed side and rear out-rails with internal pockets, four (4)
flush mounted 2000 pound capacity tie downs installed in each corner and different non-tow and towing options. Compact, yet the strongest in its class, the PC 3800 Crane is an ideal assistant for a range of applications due to its optimum ratio of lifting power to dead weight and its huge outreach.

ETT29SNV NON-INSULATED AERIAL LIFT
The ETT model series provides customers more options with an aerial that has a working height of 34 feet. Mounted on a Sprinter Van during the show, the ETT29N-V is a telescopic aerial designed for ease of use and access. Its standard features include an inner boom actuated by a cylinder extension system, adjustable wear pads, and lower controls accessible from the ground.

PALFINGER LIFTGATES
Expect to see many hydraulic Liftagtes on display, as PALFINGER Liftgates will feature their Demonstrator Truck that reveals a range of models! A PALFINGER Liftgate will also be installed upon a Heavy-Duty Stake Rack Platform and up fitted to a Ram ProMaster, while a GM 2500 will feature another Liftgate model.

PSC 6025 | PALFINGER 132D SERVICE BODY | PPR 35 AIR COMPRESSOR | PALFINGER PICKUP LIFT
PALFINGER equipment up fitted to a Ford F550—A complete work-truck package! PALFINGER Service Cranes, like the PSC 6025, offer superior lift-to-weight ratios while utilizing their full hydraulic reach with their self-centering hexagonal booms. North American manufacturing and components include SAE hoses with JIC fittings, standard wireless remote control in conjunction with an industry leading 24-month warranty on all major components. The PSC range is designed for crane body vehicles and will be exhibited with a PALFINGER 132D Service Body—the best truck body on the road with many available options. The PALFINGER Pickup Lift, also equipped on this unit, is the cost-efficient market leader in the 1000-1600 lbs.; light-medium sized truck market and is offered in both cable and direct lift styles. The unit is completed with the PALFINGER PPR 35 Air Compressor.

INTRODUCING NEW INNOVATIONS! EASY LOAD BLACK STOWING (ELBS) SYSTEM | SINGLE POINT PLATFORM RELEASE | (PATENT-PENDING) PALFINGER CRANE SUPERSTRUCTURE (PCS)
With the ELS (Easy Load Block Stowing) System, it is easier and safer to stow the load block on a service crane through lowering the stowing point and eliminating overhead attachment by the operator. The Single Point Platform Release, a dual latching, passenger side and single release handle, unlatches
from both sides of the platform and is now available for PALFINGER Pickup Lifts (PPL) with Aluminum and Steel. The all-new (patent pending) bolt-in reinforcement of the PALFINGER Crane Superstructure (PCS) will allow distributors the ability to add up to a 6K crane to a stock configuration service body while increasing the customer’s crane options.

See much more at www.palfinger.com

Independent panel of experts presents three awards to Mercedes-Benz Vans: Three Mercedes-Benz vans are named "CEP Van of the Year 2014"

• Judges from the courier, express, and postal sectors used field tests to identify the best vans
• The title "CEP Van of the Year 2014" goes to the Mercedes-Benz Vito and Sprinter models
• Crosswind Assist wins innovation award in "Safety" category

Cologne/Stuttgart – Mercedes vans recently beat their respective competitors on two test routes in Germany's Bergisches Land region. The winning vehicles were the Sprinter 316 CDI and the Vito 113 CDI; both vans captured first place in their respective categories. In addition, the innovation award for safety was won by the Crosswind Assist system, which is offered exclusively by Mercedes Benz. At the award ceremony, Matthias Hindemith, Head of Sales for Mercedes Benz Vans Germany, said, "We are especially delighted to receive awards for which our customers serve as the judges. These awards demonstrate that our efforts in the areas of development, production, and service are being honored."

Panel of experts presents awards for Mercedes-Benz vans

This year was the 14th time that the Stuttgart-based ETM publishing company organized the "CEP Van of the Year" award competition. A panel of 38 professionals from the courier, express, and postal sectors (CEP) evaluated a total of 22 participating vehicles in four categories and voted to determine the winners.

Because of their daily management of their own vehicle fleets, the experts are familiar with all the demands made on the individual vans, and they put these vehicles through their paces on various test routes under real-life conditions. The assessment forms that are filled in after every test drive include the rubrics "Functionality," "Driving Comfort," "Handling," "Design," and, of course, "Economy." The drivers completed more than 600 test drives in the Bergisches Land region, covering more than 14,000 km in the process.

Title "CEP Van of the Year 2014" goes to the Mercedes-Benz Vito and Sprinter models

The Mercedes-Benz Vito outpaced its strong competitors and came out on top in the "Vans up to 3.0 t" category. As in previous years, the Vito scored particularly well with its outstanding drive system and safety features.

The Sprinter once again took first place in the "Vans up to 3.5 t" category, as it had done in the eight previous years. The vehicle impressed the judges with its outstanding safety features, fuel efficiency, and driving comfort.

The Sprinter is the world's first van to meet the future Euro VI emissions standard in all of its engine variants. The van stays within the stringent emission limits with the help of BlueTEC engine technology and an SCR system that injects AdBlue into the exhaust gas. The technology has already proven its effectiveness in more than 100,000 commercial vehicles from Mercedes-Benz.

The interaction between the highly efficient diesel engines, the optimized powertrain, the longer axle ratio, the ancillary components, and the BlueEFFICIENCY PLUS efficiency package has impressively reduced fuel consumption to as little as 6.3 l/100 km (NEDC combined).

Crosswind Assist wins innovation award in "Safety" category

Mercedes-Benz won another award for its Crosswind Assist system, which took first place in the special category "Safety."

Within the limits of what is physically possible, Crosswind Assist almost completely offsets the effects of gusts of wind on the vehicle. It greatly reduces driver stress, because motorists no longer have to steer as much against sudden gusts of wind. Crosswind Assist is based on the standard-fitted Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) and is activated at speeds of 80 km/h and over.

The Sprinter is equipped with Crosswind Assist as standard. Optional safety systems for the van include Collision Prevention Assist, Blind Spot Assist, Highbeam Assist, and Lane Keeping Assist.

2014 Green Truck Summit

The Green Truck Summit, most recently held March 4-5, 2014 in Indianapolis, IN, is known for offering cutting-edge solutions at the forefront of technology, and has become the leading educational forum on how the "green revolution" impacts vocational trucks. 

The Summit is held in conjunction with The Work Truck Show, North America's largest work truck event, which features displays covering 500,000 square feet of Class 1-8 vocational trucks and equipment, and offers the opportunity to connect with thousands of industry professionals, see dozens of product launches and learn from more than 60 educational sessions.

The Summit also features educational sessions that provide work truck industry professionals with a wealth of information. Top industry experts and "early adopter" fleet managers share their insights, lessons learned, and solutions for implementing green technologies through a series of intensive seminars.

Save the date for the 2015 Green Truck Summit: March 3-4, 2015 at the Indiana Convention Center. We look forward to seeing you at the Summit!

Learn more at http://www.greentrucksummit.com

Commercial Vehicle Show 2014 - Review

For those unable to make the UK's CV Show at the NEC, Birmingham, at the end of April here's a whistle-stop review of what LCV goodies you missed. www.vansA2Z.com

Frito-Lay Goes Alternative With Help From Clean Fuels Ohio

Learn how Frito-Lay has adopted natural gas, propane, and electric vehicles for its Ohio fleet with help from the Clean Fuels Ohio coalition.