Jump to content

New Light & Medium Duty News


Recommended Posts

On 10/4/2021 at 1:28 PM, Bob Rosadini said:

From CCJ........

 

  1. COMPANIES

Shareholders approve Daimler Truck spinoff

Ccj Logo White
Oct 4, 2021

Trucking news and briefs for Monday, Oct. 4, 2021:

 

Shareholders okay spinoff of Daimler Trucks

Shareholders of Daimler AG, the parent-company of Daimler Trucks North America, Mercedes-Benz and others, approved by an overwhelming margin Friday realignment of the company, which will include spinning off the company's truck and bus business. 

 

A vote in favor of the measure was 99.90%, clearing the way for Daimler Truck Holding AG to become an independent company on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Two current members of the Daimler Supervisory Board, Marie Wieck and Joe Kaeser, will step down from their positions and join the Supervisory Board of Daimler Truck Holding AG. 

Shareholders approved, also with an overwhelming majority of 99.89% of the votes cast, renaming Daimler AG to Mercedes-Benz Group AG effective Feb. 1, 2022. The new name, the company said, emphasizes the future focus on cars and vans of the brands Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Maybach and Mercedes-EQ.

The two measures must now be entered in the Commercial Register. 

 

 

I wonder if this will spell the death of the rebadged Freightliner Sprinter?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, ausrutherford said:

 

 

I wonder if this will spell the death of the rebadged Freightliner Sprinter?

Not necessarily, it could be good business for both parties  to continue this arrangement for now.
 

 

It feels like rationalisation is coming sooner rather than later and the fact that  Daimler/MB wants out

of heavy trucks so that  it can concentrate on light  vehicles is not surprising.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

20 minutes ago, jpd80 said:

Not necessarily, it could be good business for both parties  to continue this arrangement for now.
 

 

It feels like rationalisation is coming sooner rather than later and the fact that  Daimler/MB wants out

of heavy trucks so that  it can concentrate on light  vehicles is not surprising.

 

I think eventually the Sprinters will keep making their way towards being handled by the Mercedes car dealers.  Most Freightliner dealers don't even want to deal with Sprinters (or Metris) - even those who have them.  The Dealer Ops group that controls Sprinters/Metris have been horrible for years - and that's one reason why Ford kicks their butts in the marketplace - and selling/servicing those Benz vans is not worth the hassle for the truck dealers, honestly.  For the Freightliner dealers who have them, it's such a small piece of the pie compared to the bigger medium/heavy trucks it's not worth their attention.  I know Sales Managers at many Freightliner dealerships and several of them dropped the franchise in the past 3-5 years, and the rest who still have it really don't care to keep it.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

44 minutes ago, iamweasel said:

 

I think eventually the Sprinters will keep making their way towards being handled by the Mercedes car dealers.  Most Freightliner dealers don't even want to deal with Sprinters (or Metris) - even those who have them.  The Dealer Ops group that controls Sprinters/Metris have been horrible for years - and that's one reason why Ford kicks their butts in the marketplace - and selling/servicing those Benz vans is not worth the hassle for the truck dealers, honestly.  For the Freightliner dealers who have them, it's such a small piece of the pie compared to the bigger medium/heavy trucks it's not worth their attention.  I know Sales Managers at many Freightliner dealerships and several of them dropped the franchise in the past 3-5 years, and the rest who still have it really don't care to keep it.

Daimler might make it a condition of the new company to keep buying them

but going on your feedback it’s more likely that they won’t.

 

Not a good time to be kicked out of the nest……

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well picked up the latest Truck and Equipment Post which is an "ad rag" that is out every two weeks here in NE.

As I've done in the past I did a tally of Ford dealer ads comparing inventory of 350, 450, 550 as a group, then 550, 600,  650/750.

 

350, 450, 550        units in stock   65

550                                   "                31

600                                   "                  4

650/750                                              7

No clue what this proves other than not many dealers are betting on 600  vs 550. 

And I would bet most the of the 600 units are alternatives to 650.   

 

Chevy and International units in stock in class 4, 5, 6  If I had to guess about 10.                      

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

36 minutes ago, Bob Rosadini said:

Well picked up the latest Truck and Equipment Post which is an "ad rag" that is out every two weeks here in NE.

As I've done in the past I did a tally of Ford dealer ads comparing inventory of 350, 450, 550 as a group, then 550, 600,  650/750.

 

350, 450, 550        units in stock   65

550                                   "                31

600                                   "                  4

650/750                                              7

No clue what this proves other than not many dealers are betting on 600  vs 550. 

And I would bet most the of the 600 units are alternatives to 650.   

 

Chevy and International units in stock in class 4, 5, 6  If I had to guess about 10.                      

 

1 October inventory of Heavy Trucks was 3500, I suspect that sales are a little indifferent at the moment,

also GM managed to sell around 2,000 MDS last quarter, so maybe they are also biting into Ford’s customers…

Link to comment
Share on other sites

22 hours ago, jpd80 said:

1 October inventory of Heavy Trucks was 3500, I suspect that sales are a little indifferent at the moment,

also GM managed to sell around 2,000 MDS last quarter, so maybe they are also biting into Ford’s customers…

JP

No question that the GM/Navistar twins have to be having some impact.  But my thought was these stats support the fact that 600 is not moving to the degree many thought it would-at least by these inventory figures-and my assumption that dealers order for stock what they think will move.

 

Now I suppose some would say.."well there is no dealer inventory because they are moving off lots quickly".

Perhaps-but I try to pay attention to what I see on street and can't say I see many.

 

I would imagine big question is what is premium$$ for a 600 at 22,000 gvw vs a 550 at 19,500?  My guess is  if it is significant a lot of guys will take their chances with a 550 running "heavy" every now and then.

 

Any sales guys out there with an opinion.  Or better yet any sales stats on 600?

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Bob Rosadini said:

No question that the GM/Navistar twins have to be having some impact.  But my thought was these stats support the fact that 600 is not moving to the degree many thought it would-at least by these inventory figures-and my assumption that dealers order for stock what they think will move.

Possibly, but I wonder if the F-600, being a newer design, is more affected by the chip shortages and logistics snafus, and Ford  just isn't capable of producing as many of them right now.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, SoonerLS said:

Possibly, but I wonder if the F-600, being a newer design, is more affected by the chip shortages and logistics snafus, and Ford  just isn't capable of producing as many of them right now.

Ford looks to be favouring Super Duty production a KTP and Avon Lake, even over full F150 production at DTP and KCAP.

Last month, they looked to have produced about 1500 MDs with about 3500 in inventory by the end of the month.

I should have some idea of F600 sales in the next week or so, for obvious reasons, Ford likes to hold those break outs close to its chest.

 

What Bob said with regards to GVW seems to ring true, the F600 being just an extension of F550 to 22,000 for certain operators is probably true and less costly than going to 26,000 of an F650.<—- those that need them keep buying but F750 not so much…

 

 

Edited by jpd80
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Could be that the 22,000 GVW F600 is an "in  between" size that not many buyers want- The 19,500 F550 is the biggest operators who need to pull a trailer without the IRS demanding FET want, and the 26,000 GVW F650 is popular because it's just under the CDL requirement and avoids fuel tax prorating in some states.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Also F550 starts at $41k, F600 starts at $45k and F650 starts at $59k

Ford has done it’s homework on the need for F600 and 22,000 GVW,

probably  picking up those buyers just over that F550 19,500 limit

but wanting something costing a lot less than F650

Edited by jpd80
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Joe771476 said:

I'm seeing a lot of new  F750's here around Connecticut.  Also Explorers and Broncos.

Joe-and I would bet a high percentage of those have 25,999 plates but are derated 33,000 lb trucks-everything is about avoiding the need for CDL drivers.

In any case good news if you are seeing them.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

35 minutes ago, Stray Kat said:

I pulled up next to an old L9000 dump truck today. Fond memories of the old L series. In my opinion those trucks were far ahead of their time. If they were introduced today they would probably still be sought after trucks. 

 

Was working at a Mercury dealer in late '69 when the Ford dealer kiddy-corner from us had their first Louisville come in. We (and I mean we, seemed like everyone from the Mercury dealer found an excuse to walk over to the Ford dealer that day) were amazed that even this lowly LN500 with a 300 six got such top of the market features- tilt hood, well laid out instrument panel, even constant velocity joints in the steering shaft so it wouldn't bind! For several years the only medium/heavy truck that could compete with the Louisville was Mack's R and U models, good company to be compared with.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, GearheadGrrrl said:

 

Was working at a Mercury dealer in late '69 when the Ford dealer kiddy-corner from us had their first Louisville come in. We (and I mean we, seemed like everyone from the Mercury dealer found an excuse to walk over to the Ford dealer that day) were amazed that even this lowly LN500 with a 300 six got such top of the market features- tilt hood, well laid out instrument panel, even constant velocity joints in the steering shaft so it wouldn't bind! For several years the only medium/heavy truck that could compete with the Louisville was Mack's R and U models, good company to be compared with.

Gosh that brought back memories. The LN 500 did indeed have the 300 six as a base engine. Albeit with a forged steel crank as opposed to the more common cast version. 
 

I remember getting to drive an LN600 single axle dump with a FT361HD V8. That was a thrill for me at 16 years of age. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Think about it gang in the 70’s and most of the 80’s Ford was rocking B, C, F, and L series trucks and in my opinion kind of dominating large portions of the markets they were in. 
 

An LN and a C series with some modern updates and the 7.3 gas and 6.7 diesel would really make people think twice about them. 
 

Don’t get me wrong the F trucks are good but the visibility and serviceability out of the old L and C series was legendary. 
 

Dang I miss the old Ford. 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 minutes ago, Bob Rosadini said:

Stray Kat and Teamster... you need a "fixIMG_1310.thumb.JPG.afddbbfde5ac625e6e13a8b02c8d1819.JPG

I apologize if  I posted this before.  I took this about two  years ago during the fall cranberry  harvest on Cape Cod.  That LN 9000 still with original  owner.  It will be back on duty any  day now.  To the right is  a 2000 F 750-the pipe is  coming from the picker that separates the berries from stems and that flows to  the 750.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

My employer didn't own many Louisville's, but did have  few interesting ones.  Early on we had an LT900 with a 534 in it.  We also had a number of 1995 L8000 5 yd. dumps with the 'Ford 1460' Cummins 8.3 in them.  I was told at the time we bought them they were some of the last Louisville's built.  For that application we usually bought International severe service S series with DT466's, but Ford won the bid that year, probably because Louisville production was winding down.  I remember in the late 80's-early 90's Ford tried hard to get a bigger slice of the O/O market with dolled up LTL's and Aeromax's.  Lots of custom paint, chrome, and large Able Body sleepers, some splashy ads, and a pretty good slogan: 'Together We Will Run The Country'.  It really didn't work, the Louisville had a rep. for being a cheap fleet truck.  Which it pretty much was.  However, the effort continued with the HN80 project, and believe it or not at least one long-nose LTL style HN80 prototype was built.  It was shown at a couple of trucking trade shows very briefly before the Freightliner sell-out.  When Freightliner bought Ford's heavy truck operation their vision was that it be strictly a vocational line, and there was no place for a Sterling long nose O/O style tractor.  Always wondered what happened to that special HN80.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

20 hours ago, 7Mary3 said:

My employer didn't own many Louisville's, but did have  few interesting ones.  Early on we had an LT900 with a 534 in it.  We also had a number of 1995 L8000 5 yd. dumps with the 'Ford 1460' Cummins 8.3 in them.  I was told at the time we bought them they were some of the last Louisville's built.  For that application we usually bought International severe service S series with DT466's, but Ford won the bid that year, probably because Louisville production was winding down.  I remember in the late 80's-early 90's Ford tried hard to get a bigger slice of the O/O market with dolled up LTL's and Aeromax's.  Lots of custom paint, chrome, and large Able Body sleepers, some splashy ads, and a pretty good slogan: 'Together We Will Run The Country'.  It really didn't work, the Louisville had a rep. for being a cheap fleet truck.  Which it pretty much was.  However, the effort continued with the HN80 project, and believe it or not at least one long-nose LTL style HN80 prototype was built.  It was shown at a couple of trucking trade shows very briefly before the Freightliner sell-out.  When Freightliner bought Ford's heavy truck operation their vision was that it be strictly a vocational line, and there was no place for a Sterling long nose O/O style tractor.  Always wondered what happened to that special HN80.

7M

No doubt the Louisville was a good vocational  truck.  While  you say it had a reputation of being a "cheap fleet truck", I thought of them as "best bang for the buck".  And your comment on the O/O market is right on.  I remember an ad featuring some O/O who was 6 ft-6, and he was extolling the room in his new Ford.  I  thought .."great, how many 6-6 guys are there but you will never win over the majority whose ultimate goal is to some day have a new Pete or KW."  

When the new HN-80 was on the drawing board, I think  had Ford concentrated on what they did best-vocational-they might have survived.  then again with "Jac the Knife" Nasser in charge, the only thing that mattered was the financial return and a broad product mix with varying returns was the last thing on his mind and the heavy truck faction at Ford lost the battle.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 10/12/2021 at 11:36 AM, Bob Rosadini said:

Joe-and I would bet a high percentage of those have 25,999 plates but are derated 33,000 lb trucks-everything is about avoiding the need for CDL drivers.

In any case good news if you are seeing them.

Thanks for that info. That Scotty Kilmer guy did a video on F-series from F150 all the way up to F750 and said that the 750's didn't need CDL drivers which puzzled me.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 10/10/2021 at 11:53 AM, Bob Rosadini said:

JP

No question that the GM/Navistar twins have to be having some impact.  But my thought was these stats support the fact that 600 is not moving to the degree many thought it would-at least by these inventory figures-and my assumption that dealers order for stock what they think will move.

 

Now I suppose some would say.."well there is no dealer inventory because they are moving off lots quickly".

Perhaps-but I try to pay attention to what I see on street and can't say I see many.

 

I would imagine big question is what is premium$$ for a 600 at 22,000 gvw vs a 550 at 19,500?  My guess is  if it is significant a lot of guys will take their chances with a 550 running "heavy" every now and then.

 

Any sales guys out there with an opinion.  Or better yet any sales stats on 600?

FYI, September sales,

F600………….615

F650……...1,068

F750………….162

 

It looks like F600 has settled into around 600/mth, F650 sales are still down a little and F750 never sets the world on fire.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, jpd80 said:

FYI, September sales,

F600………….615

F650……...1,068

F750………….162

 

It looks like F600 has settled into around 600/mth, F650 sales are still down a little and F750 never sets the world on fire.

 

thx JP- would you have any history?  Stats on 650 BEFORE 600 went into production would be interesting.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...