Freightliner widens vocational focus

At a ride-and-drive event held at the ConExpo-Con/Agg show, Freightliner LLC unveiled several enhancements to its vocational truck line and announced that it wants to build up its vocational market share to at least equal its share in the Class 8 over-the-road segment. “We want to balance out the cyclical swings of the Class 8 market with a much greater presence in the steadier vocational segments,” said Alex Bernasconi, Freightliner's vp-sales. “We intend to provide a broader-based vocational line that can fit into more of the vocational niches in the construction, municipal, fire & rescue, towing & recovery, and refuse businesses.”

The OEM unveiled new options available in July for its medium-duty Business Class M2-V product line, such as a new one-piece heavy-duty bumper, a hood access hatch for snowplow applications to allow for engine service without raising the hood, and an air-intake pre-cleaner to help extend the life of the primary air filter. A front-engine PTO can also now be spec'd without the need for frame rail extensions, he said.

Finally, an AWD option will be available on the M2-V line later this year.