America’s self-proclaimed oldest truck builder has a new conventional model hitting the market. The Autocar DC-64R is a completely new conventional truck purpose-built from the ground-up for severe-duty refuse applications, according to the OEM. The company added that the new truck features several innovations that make it especially suited to refuse-hauling applications.

“The DC-64R is the direct result of the requests, insights, data, and guidance we received from many waste haulers across the industry,” said Autocar President James Johnston. "We could not have engineered a truck this good without all their feedback that resulted in innumerable improvements. We’re grateful for their help and proud to bring to this market a truck that is honestly customer-built.”

The DC model’s cab is totally new and was designed by Autocar for productivity, durability and safety in the refuse industry. “The workspace of the cab maximizes productivity for drivers,” explained Managing Director Eric Schwartz. “From the biggest guys to petite women, with everything visible and within easy reach. The cab also easily fits three, so work crews can get to and from their routes comfortably. Our raked windshield provides exceptional visibility for safety. And the interior uses authentic materials like a full steel structure inside the dashboard and aluminum sheets as dash panels. Even the interior door handles are aluminum tubes, not plastic. The totally new cab structure is built from a combination of steel, judiciously chosen aluminum components, and corner castings to withstand years of refuse abuse.”

Autocar said the DC-64R is the first truck ever built to feature frame rails made from ultra-high-strength 160,000 PSI steel, which the company said is 24% stronger and lighter than the rails on other trucks on the market and completely eliminates the need for frame liners in nearly all refuse applications. The primary benefit for the waste hauler is a significant weight savings that directly increases effective payload – and therefore, profitability.

“One of the things we’re proudest of is our totally upgraded electric system to resist the worst the garbage business can dish out," Johnston said. “The DC also brings our customers the Autocar Always Up display, with one-touch diagnostics. It actually tells the operator or technician what fault has occurred and shows them how to fix it.”

The DC-64R is the first new conventional truck for the Autocar brand in 31 years. It joins the ACX and ACMD cabover trucks and the ACTT terminal tractor, as the OEM’s fourth in its model lineup.

The new truck also represents the rebirth of Autocar’s DC, first introduced by The Autocar Company in 1939 as its premier severe-duty, diesel-powered work truck. The DC is also the first of Autocar’s lines to carry the recently announced Autocar bowtie logo, reborn on its 100th birthday.

Autocar was created in 1899, just one year after the Winton Motor Vehicle Co. built the first truck in North America. Over the years, Autocar was a key player in the trucking industry and introduced numerous innovations. It changed owners a number of times before being acquired by Volvo in 1981 as part of the acquisition of White Motor. In 2001, Autocar recently became a subsidiary of Grand Vehicle Works Holdings LLC of Union City, Indiana, after Volvo Trucks North America spun it off. Volvo was required to sell its low-COE truck business as part of the deal to acquire Mack Trucks/Renault RVI.