Production has begun on the Reach lightweight, aerodynamic walk-in van, said the two companies involved. Utilimaster Corp. is assembling the vehicle and Isuzu Commercial Truck of America provides the chassis.

The Reach, with a special Utilimaster body atop an Isuzu NPR chassis powered by Isuzu's 3-liter diesel engine, achieves 35% better fuel economy than a traditional commercial van, the companies said. Reach offers the functionality of a custom-built work truck along with the styling and ergonomics of a cargo van.

Reach claims best-in-class mileage and meets the latest EPA emissions standards, yet still provides commercial truck capability and delivers a lower cost of ownership, they said.

Units will begin arriving at Isuzu's network of over 285 dealers nationwide in early November. Production follows a dedication ceremony at Utilimaster's plant in Wakarusa, Ind.

"We're thrilled that production of the Reach has begun and that fleet and vocational buyers will soon be able to enjoy the dramatically low cost of ownership this vehicle delivers," said Shaun Skinner, executive vice president and general manager of Isuzu.

"We believe the Reach will truly revolutionize the commercial van market," John Marshall, Utilimaster's senior vice president of sales and marketing. "We have worked extensively to design a body that offers significantly more interior height and width than other commercial vans, and it will have multiple design options to maximize utility and driver productivity."

"Beyond delivery fleets, we believe this new van will appeal to an enormous segment of the commercial truck market," he said. Among them: building contractors, plumbers, electricians, heating and A/C firms, moving and storage companies, locksmiths, lease and rental agencies, laundries and dry cleaners, and food distributors.

The Reach's Isuzu chassis has a 4JJ1-TC 3-liter turbocharged diesel generating 150 horsepower, mated to an Aisin medium-duty six-speed automatic transmission, both with B10 durability ratings of 310,000 miles. That means that 90% will reach that mileage before requiring an overhaul, Skinner said.

Utilimaster guided the development of the Reach's aerodynamic shape and its use of composite materials, which together improve fuel efficiency and reduce interior noise. The lightweight materials weigh 700 pounds less than a van with traditional aluminum and steel materials.

Reach also has impact-resistant composite cladding panels that can easily and quickly be replaced with simple tools, reducing costly downtime.

The Reach is offered with a 151-inch wheelbase with either a 12- or 14-foot-long body. With an interior up to 27 inches higher than a conventional van, the cargo area has 540 or 630 cubic feet of storage.

Drivers can quickly enter the cargo area through a door from the cab, Marshall said. Modular vocational packages give buyers a choice of factory- or field-installed shelving and cabinetry that take advantage of the van's expansive aisle width and headroom. Reach offers either rear swing doors or an integrated, composite roll-up door.

More info: www.isuzucv.com