The work truck industry technical community came together in October for NTEA’s 2023 Commercial Vehicle Upfitting Summit at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions (Sandusky, Ohio). This year’s event featured 12 chassis OEMs as well as industry education sessions and resource displays.
OEM programs
Bollinger Motors and Mullen Automotive
Bollinger Motors focused on battery electric medium-duty commercial vehicles. With completely clean frame rails, trucks can be upfit in any manner a company needs, helping make fleets’ transition to sustainable work trucks as easy as possible.
Mullen Automotive is helping define a new era where commercial vehicles run clean with connected, customizable solutions that make customers’ businesses more efficient and profitable. The OEM featured Class 1 and Class 3 commercial vehicles launching in 2023.
For more information visit bollingermotors.com and mullenusa.com.
Daimler Truck North America
Daimler Truck covered changes to the upfit of their vehicles. They shared details about the CHEC (Custom Hardware and Electronics Configurator) tool and the integration of common electrical architecture across all of their brands.
Visit daimlertruck.com/products/trucks/ for details.
Ford Pro
Ford Pro presented the latest technical details (including chassis designs, specifications and body installation/equipment mounting options) on its vehicle models.
For more information, visit fordpro.com/en-us/ and fordbbas.com.
GM Envolve
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GM Envolve presented timely technical details on chassis specifications, design, body installation and equipment mounting options, as well as future plans related to the work truck industry.
See gmenvolve.com for additional details.
Hino Trucks and Toyota Motor Sales
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Hino Trucks and Toyota Motor Sales provided updated information regarding chassis, design, body installation and equipment mounting options.
For more information, visit hino.com and toyota.com/fleet.
International Truck
International Truck representatives — medium-duty, severe and zero emissions teams — reviewed product changes to their vocational lineup, including EMV MV, HX and HV series, where innovation meets proven technology relevant to vehicle upfitters. They covered new features, safety integration, service maintenance schedules and connected vehicle solutions.
For further information, visit internationaltrucks.com.
Isuzu Commercial Truck of America
Isuzu Commercial Truck of America detailed model year 2024 changes to the N- and F-Series model lines. They provided an overview of upcoming new model year 2025 product offerings and highlighted calendar year 2023 sales and production.
Visit isuzutruckservice.com for details.
Kenworth Truck Co.
Kenworth Truck Company shared information on the newest lineup from medium- to heavy-duty, which were on display with their engineering teams on hand to support and answer questions.
Visit kenworth.com for details.
Peterbilt Motors Company
Peterbilt’s review included details on chassis specifications, body installations, product updates and a display of their new medium-duty truck platform.
For further information, visit peterbilt.com.
Ram Commercial
During the Ram Commercial session, attendees were provided information about new innovations and unique product features. Participants were able to explore specialized resources and engage engineering specialists.
Visit ram.com/commercial for details.
Industry education sessions
- Electrified Propulsion Vehicles (xEV) High-Voltage Electrical Safety Standards, presented by Corey Glassman, Electric Vehicle Consultant, ASE
- Chassis Design Considerations for the Work Truck Industry, presented by Bob Raybuck, Director of Technical Services, NTEA; and Steve Spata, Senior Technical Assistance Director, NTEA
- Top Upfitting Risk Exposures for Multi-Stage Manufacturers, presented by Steve Tuskan, Senior Forensic Consultant
- TruckScience: Using Software to Upfit Safe, Legal and Efficient Trucks, presented by Martin Dammann, Customer Success Manager, TruckScience; and Jens Hellberg, CEO, TruckScience
- Understanding the EPA’s Clean Trucks Plan, presented by Frank Acevedo, Mobile Source Program Manager, United States Environmental Protection Agency
- Welder Certification Training Program, presented by Nikki Wilson, Senior Director of Member Services, NTEA; and Dan Klingman, Manager Educational Programming, The Lincoln Electric Company
Industry Resource Displays
- Lincoln Electric
- National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)
- S&P Global Mobility
- TruckScience
- WorkTruckCert
Visit ntea.com/upfittingsummit for details and photos from the event.