Utilimaster debuts Velocity R2 walk-in van

Velocity R2 walk-in van

Utilimaster introduced its new Velocity R2 walk-in van Thursday at the NTEA Work Truck Show in Indianapolis.

Utilimaster, a go-to-market brand of The Shyft Group’s Fleet Vehicles & Services business unit, is North America’s leader in specialty vehicle manufacturing, assembly, and upfit for last-mile parcel delivery, as well as the broader commercial, retail and service specialty vehicle markets.

The company says this new Velocity offering provides the comfort and agility of a cargo van with the cargo space and access of a walk-in van, improving the driver experience and optimizing delivery speed. Vehicle prototypes have already undergone the customer testing process, the company says, and production on a leading parcel delivery customer order of more than 2,500 units is expected to be completed later this year. 

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“We designed the Velocity product line in 2020 to meet the unprecedented demand for last-mile delivery and created an entirely new segment in the market,” says Chad Heminover, president, Shyft Fleet Vehicles & Services. “Following the success of the Velocity F2, our first Class 2 offering, we took the best of that vehicle as well as elements from our Velocity M-series design to create this new world-class walk-in delivery van.”

Utilimaster says its Velocity R2 van is built on the modern Ram ProMaster cutaway chassis and is engineered with drivability, fuel efficiency and payload capacity in mind. Its proprietary Work-Driven Design results from decades of engineering and ergonomics studies conducted to improve the efficiency and usability of walk-in vans and cargo van upfits for vocational fleets in the parcel, linen, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical, delivery segments. Its Class 2, under 10,000 lb., GVWR designation makes the R2 the ideal option for many delivery fleets because its lower GVWR allows fleet managers to avoid costly DOT requirements associated with heavier vehicles, does not require a commercial driver’s license and takes advantage of superior flexibility, given the ease of navigating urban streets, the company says. 

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The company says the van is equipped with the latest in driver-centric safety technology, including a 360-degree camera system, HD monitor and back-up sensors and alarms. The R2 is available in a 12-ft., body with 610 cubic feet of storage and 2,500 lb. of payload.

Exterior rivets also have been eliminated to provide fleet owners a seamless canvas for marketing logos, and the cargo area features both fixed and foldable shelves that ensure packages are delivered securely to customers, Utilimaster says. Large bulkhead and passenger doors provide greater access for even faster deliveries, and the rear storage area’s low step-in height maximizes efficiency when entering and exiting.

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