2007 Medium duty info!!!

[cwcox]

First the easy stuff- Sterling and Mitsubishi have partnered on a new low cab forward truck. Should be out for 07. Press releases are already out on these.



Freightliner is losing the Sprinter line which will be Dodge only. BUT- Freightliner is getting a new step van, the MT35. We have a factory test mule in our shop now. Looks like a mini UPS van. Pretty cool. Has a MB engine- looks like the Sprinter driveline, with 19. 5 wheels, beefy suspension. I can't figure out how to post pics here... email me at -- email address removed --, and I'll send you a copy.



Freightliner will definitely NOT be getting the Dodge Commercial line, BECAUSE-

The new Dodge Medium duty (13,500 to 19,500 GVW) is going to be a dual badge truck. Dodge gets one and Sterling gets one! (This truck has been seen by my boss at a recent Freightliner meeting- just got the word from him today). He said it appears to be a beefed up Dodge cab with a unique front end. He saw both the Dodge and Sterling versions. Freightliner dealers who are dualed with Sterling will have the low cab forward and a Sterling version of the Dodge to sell. If these trucks are anything like the Sterlings we currently market, they will be outstanding trucks. Forget anything you may have heard, but once Freightliner re-created Sterling and added their engineering, these trucks are absolutely fantastic. All of our customers LOVE them!



Just wanted to pass on the news, have a great one!

 

[FATCAT]

That sounds great but we need pictures and proof ... to many "Boy cried wolf" stories over the past years to believe second hand info. If there are no pictures or official press release ... its just all rumor and assumption, and we all know what ASSUME means.

 

[cwcox]

No doubt! I understand (and share) your skepticism. The folks at Dodge have led us down this path a few times in the past couple of years. However, there are a few key things taking place now that never happened before.

1) I have verified from a few Dodge dealers that they have been told what to prepare for regarding service work/vehicle size. These units will require different lifts, larger bays, etc. (possibly even a larger facility).

2) Freightliner is losing Sprinter sometime in '06, we have it's replacement here already, a prototype MT35. It is a great little van. It should be ready for sale model year '07.

3) Sterling has the push on to go down market (Size wise). Sterling heavy truck sales are moderate, but the medium duty segment is strong. Sterling is entering the light medium market with the new low cab forward unit, joint venture with Mitsubishi, due 06/07, 13,500-19,500 gvw.

4) Sterling has determined, and we have been notified that Sterling needs also a conventional truck in that market to compete head on with the F450/550 and Kodiak. Market research showed that the Freightliner M2 was not a good fit a few years back, and the M2100 was discontinued, and Sterling was given the nod to take on that market. This truck is coming for 06/07. It's not in question at this point.

5) Dodge enters the picture here- Dodge wants into the market to capitalize on the Ram success. Dodge has few if any engineers to handle the task, Dodge has no real capacity to build additional trucks, BUT Dodge NEEDS to be in the game. Sterling needs more than one outlet for it's new model to meet minimum sales numbers. Dual badging allows for increased market share with no real direct competition in house. Sterling and Dodge people are typically in different market groups.

6) I've talked to someone who just saw the trucks. No, thats no guarantee that they will be sold. But these weren't the cobbled up stuff that we saw from Mexico a few years back. Dodge did those to meet a small demand in Mexico, and to use those units for a feasability study. Now, just as then, we don't have the production capacity to dedicate to such a small percentage of market. BUT- Freightliner/Sterling does. And again, with dual badging, it makes sense.

I'm not gonna bet my retirement money, but I feel real confident that we will see exactly what we have heard about. We will see the bigger Cummins, as well as the MB diesel, some great trannies, and more.

 

[FATCAT]

... We will see the bigger Cummins, as well as the MB diesel, some great trannies, and more.

I hope the "great trannies" will be Eaton 6 and 7 speed manuals and Allison 2000+ series (for you lazy drivers).

 

[jlasich]

I find it unfortunate that they aren't going to just use the Ram front end, along with the cab. I think, for that class of vehicle, the Ram styling would be a much better fit. Look at how many pickup-like F-450/F-550 trucks you see compared to the more medium-duty like Kodiak/Topkick. I think Dodge may miss the boat on this one. I also wonder what's going to happen then for a Ram 2500/3500 chassis cab since the 4500/5500 will be a completely different platform. I would think it would be cheaper to produce 2500-5500 series trucks with all similar styling and interior, therefore the only real changes needed would be a frame, suspension, and brakes. Oh well.

 

[cwcox]

My understanding is that the cab is Dodge based, and the front clip will be styled for each particular brand. There will be NO DOUBT that you will recognize it as a Dodge! As far as extending the existing chassis upmarket into the 4500-5500 range- that really wouldn't work. The Dodge chassis is a great chassis for a pickup truck. Probably one of the best ever. But it was never designed or intended to be used in the fashion that a 4500/5500 size vehicle would.

 

[FATCAT]

My understanding is that the cab is Dodge based, and the front clip will be styled for each particular brand. There will be NO DOUBT that you will recognize it as a Dodge! As far as extending the existing chassis upmarket into the 4500-5500 range- that really wouldn't work. The Dodge chassis is a great chassis for a pickup truck. Probably one of the best ever. But it was never designed or intended to be used in the fashion that a 4500/5500 size vehicle would.

The chassie would definitely have to be the tried-and-true 8" or 10" C-Channel straight frame. That would be nice.

 

[RMcCulloch]

Here's hoping that, in the Dodge line, they offer it as a pickup with a factory bed rather than an aftermarket retrofit.

 

[cwcox]

No worries on the frame or running gear. look at any Sterling Acterra and you'll have a good idea what is coming. Very stout, with some of the best components ever. Freightliner has developed some in house front and rear axles that are absolutely great. Very strong, light weight, and fronts are designed for excellent handling. No news at all regarding a pickup version to compete with Kodiak or CXT. It would make sense, but after waiting this long for a medium duty, well..... Either way, I'm starting to get excited!

 

[cwcox]

New Info 8-5-05

Just got some more detailed info on the upcoming Dodge/Sterling trucks. Definitely 13,500 to 19,500 gvw, wheels are 19. 5, and the cab and front end is all Dodge. Front clip is modified somewhat to accomodate the larger wheel/tire combo, as well to accept Dodge/Sterling grilles and badging. Profile/height appears to be similar to the F550. I know you want pictures- I'm trying! By the way- it was also confirmed vehicles would be out for the 07 model year.

 

[cwcox]

Sorry! Almost forgot. Corporate is saying that the power will be all Cummins! No interest in using the MB. I find that one hard to believe, especially in the Sterling version. No word on what size Cummins. I was hoping to hear it would be the bigger 6. 7. Also no word on whether there will be a gas version.

 

[cwcox]

Even more news! In the new issue of Light and Medium truck, Sterling confirmed the new low cab forward project with Mitsu, and..... International just announced a new truck coming out. It is a class 5 (16,001-19,500), conventional style, model name 4100. The VT365 V* is standard, as is the Allison 1000 5 speed auto. No other power train combo offered at this time. IH stated that this class is growing and they wanted to participate. Not directly related to the Dodge/Sterling truck, but it does show that the market is there.

 

[BRayls]

who makes the rearend in the mt35?is it the new axle alliance corp rear? I have been heat treating those part in the trans plant for several months, 80 lb ring gear. think about the power just to get the gear moving :-laf .

 

[cwcox]

I wasn't able to get up close and personal with the undercarriage, but I suspect the rear axle was one of the new Roadranger axles (Dana/Eaton combo) coming out for the medium duty market. I was doing some research and these units are really great- but they list max torque at around 600 peak- seems soft for the curent crop of torque monsters!

I saw a spy pic also of the next gen Sprinter- no big changes, but it is getting some of the new Ram/Dakota style headlights (YEEECCCCHHH!). The new MT35 is really going to be a super star (in it's market). I could even see these crossing over into other uses, rv maybe, who knows.

 

[jlasich]

That's great news cwcox. I am really surprised that the MBE900 wouldn't be an option, if for nothing else, to test the waters and see what people want, MB or Cummins. Keep the info coming when you get it, if you can. I suppose they will introduce them at February's Chicago Auto Show. Cool!

 

[cwcox]

I have been trying to get any other info I can about these trucks but every source I have is as tight lipped as they come. I have heard again, definitely Cummins, "probably" the 6. 7, definitely new transmissions, all new, super stout frame, and also a "strong confirm" on the use of the Dodge cab structure, but no details on the front end work, other than there will be a definite Dodge and Sterling version. I have dug up a ton of interview quotes, etc. where the folks at Sterling have been pushing to get into the 450/550 market. It all points to the right place, but none of it has been clear enough to quote. There has to be a few inside people working on sub assemblies that can shed some light here! They are even talking about it over on Allpar- but no real details. I'll keep digging- trying to get info from the Sterling rep when he get's in town next time.

 

[jelag]

Well, all that I can say is that I own an F-550 that has 350K miles on it and it was my worst buying decision I think I've ever made when it came to a truck... .



I've been trying to chase my dealer down for this information for a long time and I keep getting told as soon as they can get some information they will take an order from me..... I need at least 2 right now... in the 5500 version at 19,500 lbs...

 

[FATCAT]

Well, all that I can say is that I own an F-550 that has 350K miles on it and it was my worst buying decision I think I've ever made when it came to a truck... .



I've been trying to chase my dealer down for this information for a long time and I keep getting told as soon as they can get some information they will take an order from me..... I need at least 2 right now... in the 5500 version at 19,500 lbs...

Well the Sterling seems to have a nice setup. Their new AWD med. duty looks very nice. And it can be had in a crew cab and Merc. or Cummins diesels. This should be what the new Dodge Med. Duties look like hopfully.

 

[jlasich]

That Sterling truck is exactly what I hope the Dodge DOESN'T look like. Since the 4500-5500 are more like light-medium duties, they should look exactly like the Ram. If Dodge wants these trucks to succeed, they should follow Ford in this department.

 

[DHayden]

That Sterling truck is exactly what I hope the Dodge DOESN'T look like. Since the 4500-5500 are more like light-medium duties, they should look exactly like the Ram. If Dodge wants these trucks to succeed, they should follow Ford in this department.

I'm with you. I want one so bad I can taste it, but if it looks like that I will definately pass.