General Motors is considering carbon fiber for the beds of its next-generation Chevrolet and GMC pickup trucks to better compete with Ford's F-Series pickups and meet future fuel-economy standards.
Peterbilt has updated the Model 220 cabover with new design features and options that result in weight savings, better performance, and improved serviceability, according to the company.
The change to high-volume F-150 cabins cuts costs and weight, and adds interior room for SuperCab and SuperCrew buyers.
Ford Motor’s 2017 F-Series Super Duty pickups with aluminum bodies have higher engine output ratings and more towing and hauling capability than ever, while “smart” technologies make backing and monitoring trailers easier.
The process of lightweighting a fleet of vehicles involves more than simply moving down a vehicle class or removing weight from an overloaded vehicle.
Ford has beefed up the axles, brakes, hitch, and suspension of its 2017 Super Duty pickups, after removing 350 pounds in weight-saving aluminum body panels, the automaker has announced.
Among the top trends influencing commercial fleets are an increased focus on designing upfit equipment to enhance safety and driver productivity, greater use of lightweight materials, and standardization of upfit specifications.
Ford has given additional details about how it achieved an approximately 700-pound weight reduction on its 2015 F-150 truck beyond its use of military-grade aluminum in the body panels.
Ford's redesigned F-150-based Raptor truck will incorporate an aluminum-alloy body to reduce its weight by more than 500 pounds when it debuts for the 2017 model year.
The average age of commercial truck fleets is shifting, and Class 5 trucks now make up the youngest commercial trucks on the road in a segment that's one of the fastest growing, sources told Work Truck magazine.