PORTLAND, Ore. (Mar. 17, 2005) — Following a lineup of truck OEMs who’ve announced their commitment to strengthening vocational market share, Freightliner Trucks says it too is continuing significant investments in the brand’s vocational product line.

The company — featuring its vocational line-up at the Conexpo/Conagg show in Las Vegas — says its focus in coming years is on enhancing solutions to this growing market segment.

Mark Lampert, senior vice-president of Freightliner Trucks, said that efforts are underway across the company’s dealership network to increase sales expertise in serving vocational customers through various sales tools and vocational product knowledge training courses for representatives.

“Freightliner Trucks is well-known as the industry leader in over-the-road vehicles, but we also hold a strong position in the Class 6-8 vocational vehicle segment,” Lampert said.

As evidence of Freightliner Trucks’ commitment to the vocational market, Lampert pointed to heavier-duty options recently introduced for its flagship Business Class M2 V vehicle.

M2 106V and 112V offer heavier-duty options such as front frame extensions to provide a solid mounting point for hydraulic pumps, winches, front stabilizers and snowplows, more durable bumpers and front engine power take-off (PTO) provision for increased versatility and performance, powering snow plows, refuse packers, cranes and utility equipment.

Freightliner’s vocational portfolio also includes the FLD SD — which now includes an enhanced heavy-duty chassis, frame rails rated to 120,000-psi, a durable yet lightweight, and reinforced cab and engine options up to 550-horsepower, which the company says makes the FLD SD one of the most powerful vocational options from the Freightliner product line.

Further enhancing Freightliner Trucks vocational offerings is the Condor. First, introduced in 2001, the Condor offers superior maneuverability and visibility on the job. Its wheel cut, a set-back front axle and standard dual power-steering gears, allow for maximum agility. A 273-degree field-of-vision and two-piece windshield allow for a wide, open view of the work at hand, the company says. Outside of the refuse industry, the Condor also can be configured as a concrete pumper.