Isuzu North America has selected Spartan Motors, producer of Isuzu’s N-Series trucks, to manufacture the company’s new line of F-Series medium-duty trucks.

Spartan designs, engineers and manufactures specialty vehicles and partnered with Isuzu in 2011 to produce the gasoline-powered N-Series trucks.  The two companies have expanded the partnership to include the Class 6 F-Series, which is slated for release in 2017.

The F-Series model, the Isuzu FTR, was recently announced, and it will be powered by an Isuzu four-cylinder diesel engine designed to meet stricter emissions standards and improve fuel efficiency.

The trucks will be produced at the Spartan headquarters in Charlotte, Mich. An 85,000-square-foot facility will be added to Spartan’s Charlotte campus that will be dedicated solely to the production of Isuzu products.

"We're extremely pleased that Isuzu chose Spartan again, as it launches this new product line," said Steve Guillaume, division president, specialty vehicles, Spartan Motors. "We look forward to delivering the same precision assembly and comprehensive quality by utilizing our highly-skilled workforce that made our first venture with Isuzu such a resounding success."