Chrysler U.S. Postal Service Minivan – Click above for a high-res gallery

Chrysler is celebrating Earth Day today by unveiling the first four of what will be a fleet of 250 battery powered minivans for the US Postal Service. The U.S.P.S. will be using the vans for variety of duties at locations around the country – including daily home delivery.

The vans themselves are based on the concept Town and Country EV that was unveiled last Fall by Chrysler. However, because of the duty cycle used by the Postal Service – which generally amounts to only about 18-20 miles per day on a fixed route – these vehicles are being built without the range extender seen on the concept. However, the electric drive portion of the vehicles, including the motor, electronics and A123 System lithium ion battery pack is identical. The head of Chrysler’s ENVI division Lou Rhodes told Autoblog Green this morning that Chrysler is marketing this battery-only version of the van to commercial fleet customers who typically have a shorter range requirements. The extended-range version will be focused on retail customers.

The initial batch of vehicles include a pair of right- and left-hand drive versions, and the total fleet will include a mix. The Postal Service will be using the vehicles for whatever applications they have in different regions of the country. The intent is to evaluate the usability of electric vans, as well as the interaction between the vehicles and the infrastructure. In addition to the post office, Consolidated Edison (Con Ed), Duke Energy, DTE Energy and Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) will participate in the test program.

Gallery: Chrysler EV USPS mini-van

[Source: Chrysler]

Bright IDEA EV van – click above for a high-res gallery

A Bright IDEA arrived in Washington, D.C. today (man, there’s a joke that just writes itself). But seriously, folks, the IDEA is a new design for a plug-in hybrid from the Rocky Mountain Institute’s Bright Automotive, was unveiled in Washington, DC today and it looks like, well, what does it look like? From Bright Automotive’s official images in the gallery below, this thing reminds us of some of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz’s Bionic Concept that was inspired by the boxfish. In much the same way, the IDEA looks so slippery it might be more at home in the water than delivering vegetables in a downtown somewhere. For its part, Bright promises that the IDEA offers functionality and fuel savings in a 100 mile-per-gallon PHEV.

Incidentally, we are less-than-enthused by Bright’s calculations to get that 100 mpg number – and Bright is basing the fuel savings (”$6,000 per year!”) on gas at $3.50 a gallon, something that experts are predicting will not happen anytime soon. For a good discussion about the 100 mpg claim, read the comments in this earlier post. We’re not against plug-in hybrids in the least, but they really are a case of “your mileage may vary.” You can learn more about the van over at Bright Automotive.

Gallery: Bright IDEA

[Source: Bright Automotive]

Click above for a high-res image gallery of the Nissan NV200

Last month, Nissan unveiled the production compact NV200 minivan (Nissan still refers to the vehicle as a Vanette, seriously) at the Geneva Motor Show, and today, the Japanese automaker has officially announced that sales have begun. The first deliveries in Japan, which is the first market getting access to the van, will happen in mid-May.

Nissan will offer two separate styles of NV200, one for commercial use, called DX, and one to haul people and their belongings called the Wagon 16S. Both machines use the same exterior sheetmetal, featuring an oddly arrayed set of character lines that break up the slab-sided and top-heavy proportions dictated by the van’s shape.

Differences between the two models are most apparent inside. The Wagon model offers seating for seven, while the DX can swallow 4.1 cubic meters (145 cubic feet) of stuff. We’d be surprised if the NV200 didn’t make it to the U.S. market within the next few years, as Nissan has made it clear that it has global aspirations for this vehicle. Check out our galleries below and see the official press release after the break.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Nissan NV200

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Nissan NV200

[Source: Nissan]

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Freightliner Innovation Truck

Daimler Trucks North America has used the Mid-America Trucking Show in Kentucky to release its latest concept in commercial-grade hauling. The Innovation Truck concept takes the fuel-saving innovations introduced on the Freightliner Cascadia, already the most aerodynamic of the company’s trucks, and turns them up to eleven.

Included in the aero tweaks are rear wheel fairings, underbody panels, a roof deflector and a front air splitter. Further, the side mirrors were replaced with cameras to reduce drag. Once up to speed, the Innovation Truck can lower its ride height using air bladders, further reducing fuel usage. Wireless tire pressure monitoring also sends data to an onboard navigation/infotainment screen in the cabin. Also present on the truck is Freightliner’s new RunSmart Predictive Cruise control.

With such a focus on fuel savings, it’s not surprising that Daimler has fitted the diesel powerplant with its BlueTec emissions after-treatment system, which injects a urea-based fluid directly into the exhaust to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. Lastly, ParkSmart VHAC technology allows the truck’s climate control systems to operate without running the truck’s engine using electricity from a second bank of batteries.

Daimler says that the Innovation Truck concept is meant to “show our customers what they can expect from us in the near future,” so we’ll be on the lookout for menacing flat black semi trucks the next time we’re headed out for a road trip.

Gallery: Freightliner Innovation Truck

[Source: Daimler]

The next step in cruise control comes courtesy of Freightliner semis and GPS data company NAVTEQ. Freightliner broadened communication between the cruise control and map data: the GPS transmits information on the road ahead up to a mile, and then the cruise control computes the best speed at which to cover the distance with the greatest fuel efficiency.

It’s called RunSmart Predictive Cruise, and it employs slope data from the NAVTEQ system that has been collected on 200,000 miles of the most used truck routes. While RunSmart is looking for peak efficiency, it won’t sacrifice speed; the system remains within 6% of the set speed. It’s an available option on Freightliner’s Detroit Diesel DD15-equipped Cascadia model with the 72-inch raised roof.

[Source: Daimler]

LoneStar Harley-Davidson Special Edition – Click above for high-res gallery

What? You thought Ford was the only company allowed to exploit the brand power of Harley-Davidson motorcycles? Guess again. The Harley image is up for sale and semi truck maker International is the latest company to buy in. Introducing the official LoneStar Harley-Daviidson Special Edition, a unique semi truck capable of hauling huge loads cross country and doing security at a Rolling Stones concert.

The LoneStar HD trumps its smaller kin, the Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson, in other ways than pure tonnage and maximum towing capacity. The semi includes unique HD additions like the same headlights used on the bikes, more Harley logos than a Sturgis tattoo parlor, custom 24.5-inch wheels with unique lug nuts, 7-inch round exhaust stacks and a complete set of truly gorgeous hooded aluminum gauges. The heavy hauler also features a unique grille and black paint job with silver and orange accenting.

While we’re sure professional truckers experience the open road in a very different way than people who like the heavy bikes, the LoneStar HD Special Edition at least allows the truck driver to feel like one of the gang while he’s working. Be sure to check out an official video and press release after the jump before clicking on the gallery below.

Gallery: International LoneStar Harley-Davidson Special Edition

[Source: International Trucks]

In an oddly compelling little piece of timing, two new American companies are working on taxi designs just after Checker Motors, the most famous of all bespoke taxicab companies, has filed for bankruptcy. We’ve seen the Standard Taxi before, but it has apparently been restyled a bit after cab owners complained about the initial concept’s dowdy appearance. It’s a slight improvement by the looks of things, though we certainly wouldn’t call the machine attractive.

It’s what’s under the skin that counts, though, and the Standard Taxi looks to implement a number of features that should improve the lives of both its driver and passengers. Like the MetroKing concept that we looked at a couple of months back, this vehicle is based on running gear from General Motors and features a low load floor and easy wheelchair access along with easily replaceable body panels. Production of the Standard Taxi is scheduled for 2010 at AM General’s assembly plant in Mishawaka, Indiana.

[Source: Auto Express]

Click above to watch video after the jump

A few years ago, drifting took the motorsports world by storm… and while its momentum seems to have cooled a bit, virtually everyone can appreciate the knife-edged balance of throttle and steering needed to execute a yawning slide. That appreciation has extended all the way to China, where a young man has converted his knock-kneed, skinny-tired Chang’an delivery truck into a purpose-built machine.

And why not? It’s rear-drive, light weight, cheap, and reasonably robust. We dig the owner’s enthusiasm, as well as his ingenuity and driving skill on China’s slick mountain roads and in-town roundabouts. Check out the video after the jump (complete with a nod to Japan’s Initial D anime series in the soundtrack), but remember: Kids, don’t try this at home with Dad’s new F-150.

[Chinasmack via China Car Times]

Click above for more high res pics of the Ford E-Series Super Duty Ambulance

The Ford E-Series Super Duty cargo van is a staple of emergency response teams throughout the U.S., and it’s getting faster and cheaper for 2010. New for 2010 is petrol power for paramedics in the form of Ford’s 6.8L V10 Triton engine. Prior E-Series vans were only available with diesel engines, but Ford answered customer requests by providing an ambulance with a little more speed for urgent situations while also offering a lower price-point. The massive V10 will give drivers 305 horsepower and 420 ft.-lbs. of torque, which should be enough grunt to move the E-Series Ambulance with a sense of urgency.

The E-Series ambulance also features several heavy duty components to withstand the rigors of fleet life. Among the many features are an auxiliary heater and air conditioning connector package, an available limited slip rear axle and a 225-amp alternator. Hit the jump to read Ford’s press release or click on the gallery below to see more high-res pics.

Gallery: 2010 E-Series Super Duty Ambulance

[Source: Ford]

Filed under: Trucks/Pickups, Plants/Manufacturing, Commercial Trucks, Earnings/Financials, UAW/Unions

Even though a deal with Navistar International Corp dissolved over the summer, the commercial truck maker remains interested in possibly acquiring General Motors’ medium-duty truck unit. Dan Ustian, Navistar’s chairman, chief executive and president, told the Reuters Manufacturing Summit in Chicago that, “…we’re always looking to grow and that compliments us pretty well.”

That sounded promising at the outset, but Ustian stressed that Navistar doesn’t need any additional manufacturing capacity in the current economy, and that any agreement requiring Navistar to keep open facilities in Flint would never get signed. In fact, he added, if the current downturn continues, the company may be forced to slow or stop production in their own existing heavy-duty truck plants in Mexico and Canada.

The news is indifferent to the UAW officials who are looking for a buyer interested in keeping the plants open to save jobs. While Navistar waits “to see how the economy materializes,” maybe Isuzu will step up to the plate?

[Source: Reuters UK]

Navistar still interested in acquiring GM medium-duty trucks? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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