Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/493405
28 COMMERCIAL CARRIER JOURNAL | APRIL 2015 A t last month's Work Truck Show in Indianapolis, International Trucks unveiled its new Body Builder body control modules for its vocational truck line that work in conjunction with the company's Diamond Logic electronic platform. Carl Webb, vice president of International's medium- duty vehicle business, said the system adds more powerful and flexible electronics to the medium-duty line with an emphasis on streamlining body builder installation and electric demands. The new design will be in production in November and deliver six times the current processing speed for truck and body electronics, add 16 more input and output slots for equipment manufac- turers and provide three additional data links to expand truck capabilities. As a result, new Diamond Logic features will be available to increase uptime: Intelligent Start: Single-ignition activation on the key is all that is required, and the vehicle will manage starting the engine automatically. The starter motor is disabled the moment the engine starts, which prevents overcranking and overheating to extend starter life. Programmable Real-Time Starting: International trucks can be programmed to start prior to the driver's arrival at a specific time each day, ensuring the vehicle is warmed up and ready for operation. Drivers can save time and effort, and fleets can increase productivity. Auto Start-Stop: This feature not only reduces idle time and saves fuel but also allows vocational customers to recharge batteries auto- matically or heat the cab for drivers without running the engine continuously. International also announced that its DuraStar voca- tional models now are available with a new beverage spec and a Cummins ISB 6.7 engine option. – Jason Cannon International DuraStar, WorkStar get electronic upgrades A t last month's Work Truck Show in Indianapolis, Utilimaster Corp. unveiled its new fuel-efficient Velocity van designed for walk-in capability on a Euro chassis. Velocity is built on a Ford Transit cutaway chassis and is designed to allow full stand-up height and cargo capacities of 574, 679 and 784 cubic feet. It is scheduled for full production in the third quarter. John Forbes, com- pany president, said Velocity was born from a need for a van with a large entry door for ease of entry and exit on multistop routes, improved fuel efficiency and flexibility of con- figuring the cargo space for various applications. The design offers rear swing or roll-up doors for dock load- ing, a curbside sliding door, low entry and egress steps and optimized ergonomics for deliveries and service routes. "The ability to enter and exit curbside will save fleets 30 to 40 percent in productivity per day," Forbes said. A Ford 3.7-liter V6 gasoline engine with 274 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque is standard. The engine can run on E85 or be equipped with a Gaseous Engine Prep package for compressed natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas. Also available is Ford's 3.2-liter I-5 diesel engine with 185 hp and 350 lb.-ft. of torque. – Jason Cannon Utilimaster debuts Velocity walk-in van for Ford chassis Utilimaster's Velocity van is built on a Ford Transit cutaway chassis and is designed to allow full stand-up height and cargo capacities of 574, 679 and 784 cubic feet. The Body Builder body control modules are designed to add more powerful and flexible electronics to International's medium-duty line.