DETROIT – The Chevrolet Kodiak C4500 pickup specially upfitted by Monroe Truck Equipment will be shown for the first time at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. “Not only do our upfitted medium-duty trucks provide the strength and capability to get the job done, an increasing number of customers are choosing these trucks because of the element of comfort and luxury they provide,” said Ross Hendrix, General Motors director of marketing for commercial trucks and vans. Enhancing the outside appearance of the White Diamond Pearlcoat paint is the liberal use of stainless steel (on the tube grille, bed rails, steps to the Crew Cab and cargo box, front and rear wheel covers, and pintle plate cover) and chrome (fuel door, hood latches, front light bar, and rear tube bumper). Inside, the Chevrolet Kodiak C4500 pickup by MTE is finished with a carbon-fiber appearance – applied to the steering wheel, door, dash trim, and center console – and custom gray carpet, with matching front and rear floor mats. The Kodiak features an MTX sound system that includes:

• Eclipse AVN300 touch-panel multi-source receiver with DVD navigation, video, radio, and backup camera system.
  

• Thunder Axe Separates front speakers (6.5-inch woofers and tweeters with crossover network).
  

• Thunder Dome Axials, 6.5-inch rear speakers.
  

• Carbon-fiber appearance – center console/subwoofer/amplifier.
  

• Thunderform enclosure featuring a 10-inch Thunder 4500 subwoofer and a 200-watt amplifier.

  Additional entertainment can be supplied by the DVD system that includes a 10-inch overhead monitor and two 7-inch headrest-mounted monitors. Chevrolet Kodiak C4500 pickup by MTE is powered by a Duramax 6600 V-8 turbodiesel, delivering 300 horsepower at 3,100 rpm and 605 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,600 rpm and is mated to an Allison 1000 five-speed automatic transmission. Cargo-carrying capability and convenience are accentuated by Chevrolet Kodiak C4500 pickup by MTE’s 8-foot dually pickup box with spray-in bedliner and a retractable and extendable tonneau cover. Another convenience feature is a rearview camera mounted above the Class 5 trailer hitch. The UltraRide chassis air suspension with kneel valve and the exclusive MTE cab air suspension designed for the C4500 provides a comfortable ride. “As with other vehicles General Motors and Monroe Truck Equipment have developed together, the show truck featured at the 2006 NAIAS addresses the needs of those customers who want to take their transportation to the next level,” said Rick Rufenacht, vice president of marketing and sales for Monroe Truck Equipment of Monroe, Wis. “Many of our customers spend a lot of time in these vehicles, and they want to feel comfortable and pampered – and they want to stand out from the crowd.” “Many of the elements found in the Kodiak show pickup are available on our production models. As many of our customers have found, the Chevrolet Kodiak pickup by Monroe delivers workhorse performance and durability in a distinctive, roomy, and well appointed package. When one considers all of the capabilities of this vehicle – including its 26,000-lb. GCWR – $70,000 for a well-appointed vehicle is an amazing value,” Hendrix added.