Commercial Trucks auto news

Rumormill: Next Ford Transit Connect revealed in new patent filings?

While these supposedly leaked patent images aren't as sexy as those of the Acura NSX convertible we recently spied, they do point to an interesting new look for the homely Ford Transit Connect.

As the pedestrian delivery van in its current form is in need of a massive upgrade in the aesthetics department, adopting more of a "Ford face" like what's found on the Fiesta and forthcoming Fusion seems like a great idea. We're not sure, however, what to make of the buttresses at the base of the pillars, which reminds us a bit too much of the Honda Element.

While we haven't heard much about when a new Transit Connect might be headed to our shores, according to Left Lane News, Ford may show an almost-production-ready concept at the Paris Motor Show in September.

Official: New Fuso Canter can canter in selectable 4x4 mode

If you're in the market and mood for a 6.5-ton cab-over truck that also offers power to all its wheels, Fuso would like you to have a look at its new Canter 4x4. With the addition of selectable four-wheel drive, Fuso is hoping to expand the 4x2 Canter's traditional market into unpaved uses like construction and municipal services.

Power comes from a 3.0-liter, four-cylinder turbodiesel with 175 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. A stop/start system is also used to improve efficiency. Standard features include a locking rear differential, exhaust brake, approach and departure angles that are nearly doubled over the 4x2 model, and a 40,000-kilometer maintenance interval. Options are plentiful, including single or crew-cab bodies, two wheelbase choices, payload up to 3,725 kilograms, 320 millimeters of ground clearance and 100 plain, metallic and pearl-finish paint colors.

For truck fans, there's a press release below and a high-res gallery of the Canter 4x4 in all kinds of poses.

Continue reading New Fuso Canter can canter in selectable 4x4 mode

Official: Mercedes-Benz launching new Antos short-radius distribution truck

If you thought Mercedes-Benz has expanded its range of luxury automobiles to gargantuan proportions, well... you're right. But its commercial vehicles division hasn't been missing a step, either. The German truckmaker is still in the process of launching the new Citan urban delivery van, and is already working on its next offering to the truckers of the world: the Antos.

Designed from the get-go as a short-radius distribution truck, the Antos pioneers a new class of maneuverable and versatile workhorse. Still in the development phase, the Antos will be revealed in full at the Commercial Vehicle IAA this coming September, at which point it will be made available in a staggering array of configurations. Mercedes-Benz plans to offer the Antos in two cab styles, with no fewer than thirteen powertrain options (ranging from 238 horsepower up to 510) and a whopping 67 wheelbase lengths to make it almost infinitely adaptable to whatever use its owners and operators have in mind.

The possibilities with a truck like this are virtually endless, extending to refrigerator boxes, flat beds, high cubes and beyond. Scroll down below to read more about it in the full press release.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz launching new Antos short-radius distribution truck

Richard Hammond picks 10 best American cars

Of the three "Top Gear" hosts, Richard Hammond may be the most sympathetic towards American tastes. He's made no secret of his love for American machinery, including our big-boned muscle cars and pickup trucks. Hammond even spent some time filming in our neck of the woods while working on his new show, "Crash Course." The series puts Hammond behind the wheel of the largest machinery on the planet, and not surprisingly, the first episode focuses solely on the monstrosities of America.

Hammond sat down with GQ to discuss the project as well as some of his favorite vehicles from the States. While cars like the 1969 Dodge Charger and 1968 Ford Mustang GT are obvious picks, Hammond also seems to favor creations like the modern Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 and the Jeep Wrangler. Head over to Wired to take a look at the full list for yourself. "Crash Course" airs Mondays at 10 on BBC America.

Report: NYC comptroller threatens Nissan taxi deal over wheelchair accessibility

John Liu, New York City comptroller, has said he won't register the contract for a fleet of new Nissan taxis until every last one is made wheelchair accessible. There are currently just 231 cabs with wheelchair ramps in the city, though that number will jump by another 2,000 units next year. Even so, Liu said the current cab system is "separate and unequal." The city comptroller signs off on every contract the city makes, but Liu doesn't technically have the authority to block the contract unless there's evidence of corruption. While speaking at his press conference, Liu admitted as much during questioning from reporters.

According to The New York Post, Liu may be attempting to draw attention away from a federal probe into his campaign finances as he vies to be a mayoral candidate in the next election. While he says he takes the federal investigation seriously, he also plans to continue with the work of his office and his blossoming campaign for mayor.

Official: New York City rolls out new apple green Boro Taxi fleet

Yellow cabs are synonymous with New York. It doesn't matter if it's an old Ford Crown Victoria, an even older Checker Cab or the new Nissan NV200: paint it that deep yellow and put a dome light on it, and you're looking at a New York taxicab. But the Big Apple is about to get a new type of taxi, painted a different color altogether.

We're talking about the new Boro Taxi which the city's Taxi & Limousine Commission has just launched. Targeted at New York's outer boroughs - Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island (as well as Northern Manhattan) - the Boro Taxis can take just about any vehicle you'd expect to see in yellow (including the NV200), painted a bright shade of "apple green" (that looks like matte lime to our eyes) and put them on the streets of the outer boroughs exclusively where it's notoriously difficult to hail a cab.

The color was apparently chosen to stand out from existing vehicles on New York City roads, including private automobiles (because who would paint their own car that color?), police and emergency vehicles and traditional yellow cabs. The first 6,000 of the 18,000 permits will be issued by the commission starting in June. So the next time you're looking to hail a ride in New York anywhere but Manhattan, look for this shade of green and raise your hand.

Continue reading New York City rolls out new apple green Boro Taxi fleet

Report: Ford rescue concept truck pressed into service to help tornado victims

From show floor to evacuation route, one concept vehicle got the chance to test it's meddle in the real world.

The Ford F-550 Super Duty Rescue Truck was created to demonstrate extreme rescue capabilities not actually use them. It first went on display in February at the Chicago Auto Show.

But on April 3, with just two miles on its odometer, this concept vehicle found itself in the thick of a real-life rescue mission. A series of devastating tornadoes had ripped through Arlington, Texas, overwhelming every fire-rescue department in the region. Destruction was everywhere.

Worse yet, many of the neighborhood streets were filled with debris ranging from roofs to cars and the big fire trucks couldn't maneuver through them.

That's when Brad Snyder, vice president of marketing at NewScope Marketing in Grandbury, Texas, got a call the Arlington emergency services director for help. The director knew the local volunteer fire department had advised Snyder on building an extreme rescue vehicle for Ford Motor Co. and now the city needed its help.

"When we proposed the truck to Ford, one of the things Ford required was that everything on the truck actually work," Snyder said Tuesday. That's not always the case with concept vehicles, which often could not even qualify to ride on a U.S. highway.

"We never intended to put it into service," Snyder said. But put it to work they did. Keep on reading to find out how.

Continue reading Ford rescue concept truck pressed into service to help tornado victims

Report: GM interested in taking stake in Isuzu again?

General Motors and Isuzu were partners for decades before parting ways in 2006. Even now, you can find the final hangover of an alliance that gave us vehicles like the Geo Storm and Chevrolet LUV in the GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado smallish pickups.

The two companies may start negotiations soon for General Motors to once again take a stake in Isuzu Motors Ltd. with commercial vehicle sales in Asia and Central and South America as the goal, reports the Japanese Nikkei business daily.

GM would go in for ten percent of Isuzu, and this deal would likely spell the end for Toyota's 5.9-percent interest in Isuzu, as well as smother any capital partnership talks with Volkswagen. Isuzu developed the GMT355 trucks, and if lashed-up with GM again, a team effort to develop, produce and distribute pickup trucks is being considered. At ten percent, General Motors would pass Mitsubishi Corporation's 9.2-percent stake in Isuzu to become its largest single shareholder.

North American small pickup fans probably shouldn't get excited about this, as it appears aimed mostly at markets more suited to smaller trucks. With GM's new full-size pickups on the horizon, the General likely wants you to forget that there are any other choices for the time being.

Official: Fiat Professional reveals new Punto panel wagon

There's little doubt that commercial vehicles are almost as vital to an automaker's sales figures as passenger vehicles are, and to that end many have dedicated commercial vehicle operations. The Fiat group's is called Fiat Professional, and it's just rolled out its latest offering.

Called the Punto Van, it is, as you might have guessed, a Punto hatchback, stripped down and fitted with body panels where the windows usually go. Capable of carrying 35 cubic feet and 1,150 pounds of cargo, the Punto Van is powered by a 1.3-liter MultiJet II diesel in three states of tune (75, 85 or 95 horsepower), two trim levels and three colors.

Taking the place in its line-up where the previous versions of the Grande Punto and Punto Evo sat, Fiat Professional just took the wraps off the new Punto Van at the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham, England, with order books opening later this month. Scroll down for the official press release.

Continue reading Fiat Professional reveals new Punto panel wagon

Infographic: Breaking down the costs of trucking

If you've ever had visions of telling your boss exactly where he can put his TPS reports and heading off to reenact your favorite scenes from classic trucking movies like Smokey and the Bandit, Convoy or Over the Top, we have bad news for you: Trucking is prohibitively expensive.

The crew at Easy Lift Equipment worked up an infographic filled with examples of just how pricey it can be to operate an eighteen wheeler. According to the information, only eight percent of all trucks on the road are privately operated. The rest are run by larger trucking companies.

No surprise there. A new cab can cost upwards of $100,000, while a trailer will set you back $50,000. Companies typically pay around $30,000 a year on their truck loans, which actually makes it the third largest expense in operating a big rig. Number one? Diesel fuel. A single truck can suck down 20,500 gallons of fuel in a year, which can add up to over $70,000 depending on location. Driver pay falls second, with operators earning around $0.36 per mile. Maintenance, meanwhile, can cost around $15,000 annually.

Hit the jump to check out the full graphic for yourself. Now if you'll excuse us, we have some reports to file...

Continue reading Infographic: Breaking down the costs of trucking