Utilimaster showcases four fleet vehicles at Work Truck Show

March 2, 2016
Utilimaster introduced four vehicles that it says “showcase the company’s ability to satisfy a diverse range of applications” here at the Work Truck Show.

INDIANAPOLIS. Utilimaster, a business unit of Spartan Motors, introduced four vehicles that it says “showcase the company’s ability to satisfy a diverse range of applications” here at the Work Truck Show.

“The trucks highlight Utilimaster’s consultative design approach, through which the company gains an inside understanding of a client’s business needs, resulting in a vehicle solution that maximizes safety and productivity, and end-client serviceability while minimizing the total cost of ownership,” according to the company.

The Detroit Edison truck is an upfit van that combines the capabilities of a work truck with the comfort and fuel economy of a passenger van, the company said. It was designed and engineered specifically for Detroit Edison’s operating procedures and service routes. This approach, according to the company, began with ride-alongs, representing first-hand research led by Utilimaster engineering staff to assess the customer’s routes, processes, and drivers.

“We believe that what goes into the design of a Utilimaster truck is as important as what comes out,” said John Forbes, president. “Our vehicles are more than just steel, aluminum, insulation, and the like. They’re the product of insightful thinking that comes from a close partnership with our customers and over 40 years providing vocation-specific upfits that move the needle for some of the largest fleets in the world.”      

Also featured at the show, is a refrigerated Utilimaster truck built on the Ram ProMaster body, an upfit vehicle that can be completed by Utilimaster in two days at the Ram Commercial Upfit Center and Mopar Custom Shop, in Saltillo Mexico, just adjacent to the ProMaster plant. The finished vehicle is delivered through Chrysler’s ship-through program, saving the customer freight cost, shortening delivery time, and providing on-demand status updates, the company said. The truck contains a lightweight and modular refrigeration unit from Thermo King. The cargo liner is certified as Long-Term Thermal Resistance (LTTR), for long-lasting insulation, and is sealed to prevent the buildup of mold and bacteria, according to the company.

The third truck on display at the Work Truck Show, the Polaris Gem Car eL XD, is an all-electric compact food truck. It provides a green alternative to a full-size truck, with a four-hour battery that can be charged on a standard outlet. The vehicle is street legal, and offers organizations seeking low cost of entry a means of increasing food sale revenue and providing a convenient service location for its customers or employees. The Gem Car eL XD has been deployed to college campuses and corporate sites across the country, Utilimaster said.

The Velocity by Utilimaster is also on display. According to the company, it offers 16-18 mpg fuel economy, delivering a cost of ownership over seven years that is nearly half that of traditional walk-in vans. The largest entry steps in the industry positioned lower to the ground and situated curbside, provide maximum operator safety and minimum strain. 

“We’re excited to showcase these four very different vehicles at the show,” said Forbes. “They’re great examples of Utilimaster’s drive to stay out ahead of industry trends, and provide our clients with purpose-built trucks that deliver economy, safety, efficiency, and – at the end of the day – productivity.”

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