LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. — Mack Trucks will increase production of vehicles at its assembly plant in Macungie, Pa., next month in response to the popularity of the new Granite models.

The average daily production rate at the Macungie plant, now at 48 vehicles per day, will be ramped up in two phases. The first will see it go to 50 trucks a day on Feb. 18, and then to 52 trucks on Feb. 25.

“There’s been a surge of orders for Mack construction trucks in December and January, which is good news considering the weakness in the heavy-duty truck market overall in the past year,” says Paul Vikner, Mack president and chief executive officer. “Specifically, we’re seeing a lot of interest in our new Granite series models. In fact, nearly half the orders in the last month for trucks manufactured at Macungie were for Granite models.”

The Granite series was introduced in 2001 as the next generation of Mack vehicles for the construction truck market — a segment Mack says it has traditionally lead in North America.

“The Granite series was well-received by industry experts and Mack dealers when we introduced it last year,” says Vikner. “Now, with this upswing in orders for the Granite models, it’s clear that the trucks are winning approval from our most important audience — our customers.”