Talk to Don Wires, director of engineering for the Workhorse Group, and he makes the W-15—his company’s new half-ton, battery-electric pickup—sound like an exotic sports car with a really big trunk.
Fueled by the never-ending need to bolster the bottom line, contractors now can take advantage of a host of recent developments in work trucks, from lighter frames to increasingly high-tech telematics.
If all the flag-waving surrounding the presidential election leaves you feeling compelled to buy American, here’s a new pickup you may want to consider: the 2017 Nissan Titan.
In the world of work trucks, it’s not every day that a segment-leading model gets a complete makeover, but the all-new 2017 Ford Super Duty is the line’s first major change since 1999, the company says.
Photo by Alan Rider / ENR The 2015 Ram ProMaster City (left) is smaller than the full-size ProMaster. Photo by Alan Rider/ENR The van offers a class-leading cargo capacity of 1,883 lb. Related Links: First Look: 2015 Ram ProMaster City Compact Van Test Drive: 2014 Ram ProMaster Full-Size Van When it comes to work vans, the next big thing appears to be getting smaller. Since Ford brought its European-made Transit Connect compact van to the U.S. five years ago, the small-van market has spilled open with the debut of the Nissan NV200, the Chevrolet City Express (a re-badged version of
Related Links: Ford F-150 Will Go Aluminum in 2015 Fleet Owners Stand To Gain From V-6 Pickups Design and engineering teams at Ford Motor Co. have taken what might be thought of as a radically conservative approach to the new 2015 Ford F-150. Aside from a new grille and headlights, the latest F-150 looks familiar. The revolutionary step is the switch from steel to what Ford calls "military grade" aluminum in the body, cab and bed.The payoff is 700 lb in weight savings, which contribute to more efficient braking, towing and increased payload capabilities, topping out at a hefty 3,300
Photo courtesy GM The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado (shown) and GMC Canyon rejoin the small-pickup segment. Photo courtesy GM Among the standard features are a super-quiet cabin and such useful options as a 4G hotspot. Related Links: 2015 Chevrolet Colorado Reboots To Capture Small-Truck Buyers Why Contractors Are Buying Pickup Trucks Like it is 1985 Driving the new 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon small pickups reveals that General Motors has put to good use its three years away from this segment.These models have grown substantially in every direction, making them 5.5 in. taller, 6.7 in. wider and 20 in. longer
Photo Courtesy of Nissan North America The Nissan NV200 is the latest entry into the compact work-van market, with segment-leading fuel economy but not as much cargo room as other competitors. Photo Courtesy of Nissan North America Inside, the cabin is basic yet sturdy. Prices start at $20,000. Related Links: Import Vans Invade Work Truck Show Nissan Presents a Practical Alternative to the Basic Contractor Van With high fuel prices continuing to batter bottom lines, many contractors that depend on a van—or a fleet of vans—are beginning to question the conventional work-truck wisdom that says bigger is better.This industry-wide reexamination
For any contractor who has ever grumbled about the shortcomings of their Ford E-Series or Chevrolet Express cargo van, the 2012 Nissan NV is welcome news. Photo: Alan Rider for ENR With its new NV commercial van, Nissan has updated the decades-old silhouette of the Ford Econoline and the Chevy Express. Photo: Alan Rider for ENR What all those aggravated work-van owners may not realize, however, is that they’re not alone in their frustration with the status quo, says Mike Hobson, Nissan’s director of commercial vehicles. “Our research showed this segment had one of the lowest levels of owner satisfaction