Freightliner Adds 2 Models to Its SD Line, Aims for Vocational Dominance

Freightliner has added two models to its line of SD (severe duty) trucks, and says it plans to dominate the vocational market as it does on-highway trucking. The trucks were shown over the weekend prior to the opening of ConExpo in Las Vegas.

The added trucks are a 114SD with a set-back steer axle and a shorter 108SD,also with a setback axle. They join the axle-forward 114SD announced in January.

With the premium Coronado SD that debuted earlier, the SD series represents a commitment by Freightliner's parent, Daimler Trucks North America, to the vocational market, said Dave Hames, general manager for marketing strategy.

The SDs replace models in the now discontinued Sterling line, as well as Freightliner's FLD-SD, which ceased production in late 2009. Eventually the
current M2-V models will be phased out as the new trucks enter the product line.

The 114SD has a setback steer axle for non-bridge formula states. The 108SD will come only with the setback axle because that's what trucks of that size use. Both numbers indicate the trucks' bumper-to-back-of-cab dimension.

The SDs are aimed at construction, trash, public utility, specialized hauling and government customers, Hames said. They have unique hoods and use steel-reinforced aluminum cabs from the M2 series. Regular, Extended and Crew cabs will be available in all 114SD and 108SD versions.

The 114s will come with Cummins' ISC and ISL, and Detroit Diesel's DD13. Soon the Cummins ISL-G natural gas engine will be available. The 108 will come with Cummins ISB and ISC. All diesels will use urea fluid exhaust aftertreatment equipment which chemically wipes out oxides of nitrogen while allowing engines to deliver better fuel economy.

All the vocational truck models will have a variety of transmission, axle
and chassis options as they go into production later this year.

More info: www.freightlinertrucks.com