Ford Motor Company introduces the all-new 2006 Ford LCF (Low Cab Forward) truck this month, according to a press release from the company. "The low cab forward segment is one of the fastest-growing niches in the commercial truck industry, with sales up almost 50 percent in the last decade," said Joe Castelli, Ford Division Commercial Truck Director. The new Ford LCF model offers twice as many combinations of cab, vehicle, powertrain and driveline types as the nearest commercial competitor, according to Ford. Built in and for North America, the Ford LCF offers best-in-class maneuverability and a segment-exclusive V-6 diesel engine with more power than the leading competitor, Ford said in a statement. The LCF also boasts the segment’s strongest standard frame. The frame has a 34-inch width, a U.S. industry standard, and a wide range of configurations for easy vocational conversion compatibility. With 200 horsepower and 440 lb.-ft. of torque, the Power Stroke ® 4.5L V-6 diesel is paired with Ford’s TorqShift 5-speed electronic automatic transmission. The LCF offers a choice of fuel tank capacities. Depending on wheelbase and configuration, choices include the standard 40-gal. tank located rear of the axle and between the frame rails, an optional 35-gal. side-mounted tank or dual side tanks with a capacity of 70 gallons. Low cab forward trucks, also known as tilt cabs, provide a roomy cab where drivers sit over the engine and a set-back front axle. Various second-unit bodies are designed for specialized applications, especially in congested urban areas where the truck’s payload is leveraged by its small, agile footprint.