USPS Narrows List of Next-Gen Vehicle Builders
The U.S. Postal Service has chosen 15 possible manufacturers to build its next-generation delivery vehicle, including Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Ford, Nissan, and Freightliner.
Photo of exising USPS vehicle via Wikimedia.
Photo of exising USPS vehicle via Wikimedia.
The U.S. Postal Service has chosen 15 possible manufacturers to build its next-generation delivery vehicle, including Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Ford, Nissan, and Freightliner.
The USPS released the list of prequalified vendors on April 14 as it takes another step toward selecting a vendor to build a vehicle to replace the Long Life Vehicle (LLV) that entered service in 1987. The USPS met with possible suppliers in early February, after releasing vehicle specs in a request for information.
The list of suppliers under consideration also includes AM General, AMP Holding, Emerald Automotive, Karsan, Mahindra, Morgan Olson, OEM Systems, Oshkosh, Utilimaster, VT Hackney, and ZAP Jonway.
The LLVs were assembled by Grumman. General Motors supplied the chassis, engine, and transmission. AM General supplied the frame.
Several suppliers on the list specialize in vehicle modifications, including green-vehicle powertrains. ZAP and Jonway Auto, for example, specialize in battery-electric vehicle conversions.
"ZAP Jonway is working with a couple of large truck manufacturers and is in the process of finalizing its partnerships to support the repurposing of the truck's body to meet the specifications for this USPS opportunity," according to a company release. "ZAP Jonway hopes to utilize this repurposed clean energy truck, which will have models in both electric as well as compressed natural gas (CNG)."
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