Red Horse

I can't imagine the wiring harnesses in these trucks.

Was taking plant tour at Macungie yesterday and asked young guy (graduate engineer who works in plant in some sort of QC/workflow improvement capacity) what about "new cab". He said it would be existing cab with "some improvements"-or words to that effect. Bottom line he was specific that it was not a new Volvo cab. He did say they were going to eliminate a paint booth line to expand the refuse truck build line and that the cabs would now go from cab supplier to Volvo New River where they would be painted and THEN sent to Macungie. Seems like a lot of handling to me. How about it KSC -any thoughts?

Saw a post on another site that Alkane will soon add a class 8 cab over to their US "production". Can't see how this company can make a go of it. Establishing a US factory, dealer organization, importing Chinese cabs, using US components and doing all this under the premise that alternative fuels (CNG -LPG- LNG) are the cornerstone of their business. Any opinions? for sure KSC-what does your crystal ball say?

No doubt it will work-but I just think if that power was ONLY option at those GVW/GCW ratings here in US. they would never sell. But how quick we forget-in my "youth" I remember when the C-180 Cummins at I think 464 cu. inches was used in a lot of heavy construction trucks. But today we Americans have to have 6.7's in a pick up truck!

Thx Kevin- had no clue as to the local content rule.

I guess the first thought that comes to my mind-at least as far as the 3129 goes-is "underpowered". A 67,000 lb GVW and a 92,000 lb GCW with a 6.7 Cummins??? Kevin-any reason why they are not using the Otosan engines?? "One Ford" campaign!

Just out of curiosity-that is a lot of wire-what did it weigh?

What surprises me is most of these Euro trucks seem to have minimal analog instrumentation.-at least you could form that impression looking at the shot of this Iveco dash as well as Ford Cargo.

As always thx for clarification-for sure the van world is a convoluted situation

Ford won't bite the bait, but they could have a ball with this if they were so inclined...Let's see-for starters how about...... "If you are a dumb ass who drops blocks from about 5' into the bed of your truck, put a sheet of 1/2" ply wood down-or get a bedliner. If you are worried about a frontal collision, we've got you covered-no charge and no extra investment needed." The real bad news here is we have to once again listen to "truck guy" Howie Long again as he is back on the GM payroll.

Thx Kevin- I don't know how you find this stuff. I have made many attempts on the Ford Corporate web site and you get none of this info- thx for posting. The spec postings are interesting but they don't post in a manner that we are used to-for example-clearly state axle ratings, make of axles etc.

Kevin, I went to Ford Global website-you can get a translation on the Brazil site but unfortunately I could not find any of the videos. When you lookat Turkey and Brazil sites you see how serious Ford is in those markets. In the meantime, while they are kicking butt in class 6 with their gas powered 650, even Hino is blowing them away in class 7. I'm afraid the market wants more than a PowerStroke BV-8 in 33,000lbs.

Shocker here is I'm expecting to see a beat 80's Ford or Binder and its a relatively new F'liner. Also, second dumb ass accident by same driver in less than a year. Unreal he was still on payroll. To second Paul, the junkies around here are unreal-same deal-plwood sideboards and rear bumper not far off ground!

Impressive bit of marketing-can't think of any US truck line that goes to such effort in terms of presentation-also seems that all these Euro trucks compete on an equally aggressive basis.

EJ-nice- Price 50-60??

Kevin, With all of the electronics, creature comforts, power systems, what does something like this cost? (US$) Assume big power and live tandem

TG- Now THAT is a unique idea. Would be a good proposal as far as the US EPA is concerned but as they have already bagged Navistar for 7 million in penalties, I'm sure they would be looking for big penalty bucks from VW.

DUHH?? Marketing 101- announce a "revolutionary system-a hooklift!!" Let's see -hook lifts have been around for how many years???

EJ-but do any of these 550's have wings? No doubt most towns do have a good number of small trucks thesedays-but my issue is we are going to spend over a hundred grand and put a wing plow on a 550! I say when you have a winter like 2014-15, and the windrows get too high, you send the loaders out to punch "relief holes" in the banks every few hundred feet.

I have heard that some DPW's are starting to put wing plows on 19,500 lb chassis-be they F-550's, Dodge 5500's, Terrastars whatever. No doubt you see more and more F-350's, 550's etc being used to "clean up" intersections etc but this idea of putting a wing on such a small truck seems like trying to make a silk purse out of a sows ear. Anyone have any knowledge /opinions on this? My town has budgeted $104,000 for a new 19,500lb truck!!

Very good EJ- I no longer have the music on when I go through-bad word-UNDER door!

Just wondering-do any of the other class8's offer this direct communication? As always, I wonder about the security of such "two-way" wireless communication. Not only "hacking" but stray signals. A few months ago I'm backing my Deere out of barn. I have my I-phone listening to I-heart radio. and my JBL wireless "speaker-or whatever you call it is on. I'm looking rearward all of a sudden hear a "crash" and immediately stop. The OH door activated, missed the cab roof and fortunately the front glass but hooked the exhaust stack, bent it as well as door panel while pulling door out of track. How does stuff like that happen? this was "perfect storm"- rear wheels had cleared door sensors which cross path about a foot off floor, missed cab roof so nothing to throw it into reverse before it made contact with stack. You would think this "two way communication" is bullet proof,then again.........?? The airwaves are full of signals.

Hmnn-I wonder how they are going to pay for them??

Interesting to see if any of these engines (7 or 9 liter) make there way here to give the 750 a fighting chance in the market. With a 37,000 lb gvw, I have trouble seeing any future for the 6.7 Power Stroke in that application.