First Chevy Truck Rolls Off Spartan Assembly Line

[DriVer]

CHARLOTTE, MI — Spartan Motors played host to General Motors and Isuzu Commercial Truck of America executives today as the company celebrates the first of the new Chevrolet medium duty, gasoline-powered trucks as the first unit rolls off the production line at the Spartan Motors plant in Charlotte, Mich.

The new Chevrolet 3500, 3500HD, 4500, 4500HD, 4500XD, 5500HD and 5500XD truck line is the result of a strategic business relationship between General Motors and Isuzu. Spartan was awarded the build contract and is responsible for the assembly of the trucks, which are based on Isuzu’s N-Series design.

“Production of the Chevrolet medium duty line begins in earnest today as we witness the first of what we expect to be many of these durable and maneuverable vehicles roll off our assembly line,” said Daryl Adams, president and CEO of Spartan Motors.

“Our strategic business relationship with Isuzu began in 2011, and our company has realized significant growth and success in this segment due in part to the great trust they’ve shown in our team’s execution of their vision for this broad product line,” he added. “In fact, we celebrated the 30,000th Isuzu N-Series production milestone this year, and we expect GM will realize similar success with their vehicle line.”

Spartan Motors will be manufacturing seven different Chevrolet models including regular-cab and crew-cab body style options and chassis lengths ranging from 109 inches to 212 inches.

Additionally, several drivetrain options exist, including a 6.0 liter, V-8 GM gasoline engine as well as Isuzu-sourced 3.0 liter or 5.2 liter turbo-diesel engines. All engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

“One of our core competencies at Spartan is our contract manufacturing expertise,” added Adams. “This expansion of our relationship with Isuzu, and thereby General Motors, is a reflection of our traditional high standards of quality and reliability that are built into every specialty chassis and vehicle we manufacture.”

As seen on RV D@aily Report
Greg Gerber, Editor

[Ray,IN]

Now I'm confused. One-ton pickups have been classified as light-duty(cl 1,2 or 3) truck since inception Now GM/Isuzu and Spartan say it is a medium-duty truck?

[DriVer]

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

Now I'm confused. One-ton pickups have been classified as light-duty(cl 1,2 or 3) truck since inception Now GM/Isuzu and Spartan say it is a medium-duty truck?

Take a look see at Isuzu’s N-Series design. Perhaps in that design, MDT fits that type of truck but it sure doesn't look like pickup truck.

Now GM has been out of the MDT business since 2010 {I believe} and along with the demise of that line, we saw the 8.1L Vortec Engine disappear. Now they're back in with a 6.0L gas and 2 Isuzu diesels.

I've seen a tractor in this configuration pulling a fifth wheel at some point but it was an Isuzu. Now that GM is offering a flat nosed N-Series truck, perhaps using that 109" chassis, we might see some creative tow vehicles come out of the after market body builders badged with a Bowtie and made by Spartan. That's going to be interesting.

[Gordon Dewald]

There is information on the cab forward for 3500 to 5500 on the Chevy website. If the units are sprung I think the cab forward design could be quite fatiguing due to a rough ride.

[tderonne]

3500, 4500, 5500 Low Cab Forward Trucks | Chevrolet

[Scarab0088]

Low Cab Forward...


Rented a LCF Penske box truck...drove it from VA to CA...and found it rode better than my Ford Pick-up...and, with a turbo Diesel V6, it got amazing mileage

Coming Soon to an RV lot near you...

[Ray,IN]

Other than to state it does come prewired for lights and brakes for towing, it does not offer any further information or even mention GCVWR.http://www.chevrolet.com/content/dam...card-FINAL.pdf
Former Isuzu's were never meant for RV towing, nor were they good for that application.