LAS VEGAS - Freightliner Trucks today introduced two new Severe Duty (SD) truck models. The new line of SD trucks is designed to serve the Class 7 and 8 vocational markets, providing a set-back axle position in both a 108-inch and 114-inch BBC configuration.

The expanded SD product line provides the smart business solution for vocational customers who are looking for a combination of toughness and efficiency. The SD product line features options such as front frame extensions and radiator mounted grilles for body attachment installations; front and rear engine power-take-offs; and body specific chassis layouts that will allow vocational customers to "Work Smart^" in any application.

"Looking back at our brand history, Freightliner has had a strong presence in the vocational arena, specifically with the popular FLD-SD product line, said David Hames, general manager marketing and strategy, Daimler Trucks North America. "The next generation of severe duty products will build upon that legacy to expand Freightliner's presence in the vocational marketplace today."

The 108SD features a 42-inch set-back axle position with axle ratings that range from 10,000 to 20,000 pounds for front axles, and single and tandem rear axles options from 21,000 to 46,000 pounds. The 108SD is offered with the Cummins ISB and ISC engine, providing a power range of 200 to 350 hp and 520 to 1,000 lb/ft of torque.

The 114SD model features a set-forward axle (SFA) configuration with a standard 31-inch front axle position and optional 29.5-inch bridge formula configuration, and a set-back axle (SBA) configuration with a standard 48-inch SBA setting for maximum maneuverability.  Front axle ratings on the 114SD are available up to 23,000 pounds, and heavy rear axle configurations for single axles are available up to 38,000 pounds, tandem axles up to 58,000 pounds and tridem axles rated up to 69,000 pounds.

All 114SD models are powered by the Detroit Diesel DD13^® with BlueTec^® Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology with a power range of 350 to 450 hp and torque ratings from 1,250 to 1,650 lb/ft. The optional lightweight Cummins ISC and ISL engines will also be available, and provide a power range from 260 to 380 hp, and 660 to 1,300 lb/ft of torque. A full offering of Eaton manual and automated transmissions along with Allison automatic transmissions round out the SD family powertrain to provide coverage for all vocational applications.

Built to Work Smart

Ideal for the construction market, the SD family is designed for heavy applications such as dumps, cranes, roll offs, and mixers. The lightweight yet extremely durable SD cab not only maximizes payload, but will live up to the extended service life required of vocational equipment.

The SD cab design consists of corrosion resistant aluminum reinforced with steel that is assembled to precise manufacturing tolerances with Henrob Rivets and welded construction, producing a durable and safe cab that meets stringent A-pillar impact, roll-over, and back wall impact tests. Plus, the SD includes a robust backbone with a complete offering of single and double channel frame rails that feature a tensile strength of up to 120,000 PSI and an RBM rating up to 4.4 million inch-pounds per rail.

For the municipal market, the flexibility of the SD product line can accommodate a wide range of specialized applications from sewer vacs, to snow plows and refuse vehicles. And specific to this market, the Cummins ISLG natural gas engine will be offered in the 114SD SBA, providing municipal customers a factory built, environmentally friendly and low cost of operation vehicle that can be configured to tackle many of the jobs supporting the community.

Ease of Body Up-Fit

The mid-chassis packaging capabilities of the SD family are unsurpassed. A variety of fuel and DEF tank configurations combined with under-cab after treatment systems and battery boxes provide solutions for the most efficient body installations.

"Great care was taken in the design of the SD chassis packaging in order to provide Truck Equipment Manufacturers (TEMs) with the optimum flexibility to specify clear frame rail and clean back of cab configurations," said Rich Shearing, director of product strategy, Freightliner Trucks.

The SD family also incorporates SmartPlex^TM, a TEM friendly multiplex electrical system that simplifies chassis to body electrical integration. SmartPlex provides a large number of switches and lamps that are configurable by the TEM with simple snap in legends, and additional computer power with more inputs and outputs for control. SmartPlex also gives TEMs the ability to access and upload programming from a library of parameters all from the convenience of their own shop via the Freightliner ServiceLink^® software.

Freightliner Organizational and Dealer Support

Freightliner is not only developing new products that are dedicated to the vocational market, but is mobilizing to support the unique needs of the vocational customer with dedicated personnel, and vocationally driven processes and programs that serve the vocational truck buyer. The addition of a dedicated vocational technical support team will also assist end users and TEMs in vehicle specifications and application engineering to maximize chassis performance and ease of body installation. Freightliner will also be expanding its vocational sales organization to increase its market presence and segment coverage with dedicated vocational experts in the field, and recruiting efforts are currently underway.

"We know that vocational customers have operating requirements that are different from our on-highway fleet customers, and we have structured our organization and efforts to focus on those needs," said Mark Lampert, senior vice president, sales and marketing, Daimler Trucks North America. "The addition of our new vocational 'Work Smart' tagline perfectly compliments the goal to keep our vocational customers on the job and working smarter - ultimately increasing their bottom line."

The 114SD SFA begins production in the second quarter of 2011, with the 108SD and 114SD SBA beginning production by the end of 2011.

To download images associated with this release, visit: http://www.daimler-trucksnorthamerica.com/download/2011/03_11_ftl_new_sd.asp

For more information on Freightliner Trucks, go to www.FreightlinerTrucks.com.