This week’s roundup is work truck centric, as we run through a busy Work Truck Week, with announcements from Cummins, Ram, Isuzu, Ford, Work Truck Solutions, Wabash and more. We also touch on engine spec’ing and how to do it right; NTEA’s 2025 sales data and how the conflict in Iran could impact 2026 sales predictions; a fun chat with new ATD President David Bell and the latest news from the First Brands bankruptcy saga, as the company inches toward a possible Chapter 7 liquidation.
Lucas: Hello, everyone. Lucas here for today’s TPS weekly news roundup. Back from Work Truck Show, Work Truck Week, and excited to run through some of the top stories from that event and other news in the week.
I’m going to start with Indianapolis, going to start with the Work Truck Show and really the big news coming out. Cummins introduced its X10 engine, additionally it’s Twin Module Aftertreatment system. The X10 is their new medium-duty engine they’re really excited about. The Twin Module Aftertreatment system is what they’re going to be using to meet 2027 emission regulations. Story about that on the website, also video from their experts about those two products, so be sure to check those out when you’re done here.
Other news from the Work Truck Week. Ram introduced its new ProMaster City van, which is the first van of its size in the North American market. Ram really excited about that, story and video on the website. Check that out. Some other stories from Work Truck, lot of news from Work Truck, can’t run through it all. But some other news releases: Isuzu released a new truck body, and a truck body upfitting program. Ford introduced its new AI tool, Ford Pro AI. Wabash introduced some new [AI] tools kind of between Work Truck and next week’s TMC [annual meeting]. Additionally, during the Work Truck Show, Work Truck Solutions introduced its new CRM tool for commercial dealerships. So, really good stuff there.
Also, there was a business session on spec’ing and how to spec the right engine by two Cummins experts there. I have a story on that, on really what you need to do, the conversations you need to have with your customers to make sure they’re spec’ing correctly, and that they’re pleased with the decisions they make, because you don’t want them to make an improper spec because you didn’t support them, and then they’re angry when they come back to you, or they don’t come back to you when they need to buy their next truck. Check that story out.
Also, a forecast for the work truck sales space for 2026. Work trucks sales down about 6% last year, according to NTEA. They are hoping to be up about 6% or, that is sort of their medium expectation for 2026 is up about 6% for the [work truck] space. Their pessimistic prediction if things in the Middle East get worse and continue in Iran is up 1%. Their optimistic forecast if things sort of resolve quickly there and the market picks up here and we get some continued EPA clarity is up 12%. So still NTEA expecting a good year, but how good it is will really be dependent on some outside factors that we can’t control.
Some other stories this week. I had an interview with new ATD president David Bell about what he wants to do, his priorities, his goal for the organization. If you’re a dealer, check that out. Really had a great conversation with David, also saw him at Work Truck Show. I think he’s going to be great for ATD. I think he’s got some really great ideas, so check that story out.
Also, the ongoing First Brands investigation and First Brands’ situation, we continue to follow that. They are selling their small fuel engine business, Walbro that is in the automotive sector for $50 million, but they are nearing close to their Chapter 11 [bankruptcy], moving into a Chapter 7 bankruptcy and pushing closer to liquidation. So, we’re keeping up on that. We’re seeing what’s going to happen next for First Brands, and as more information on that story comes out, we will continue to update you.
Like I said, TMC is next week. We will be there. We’ll also be updating anything that’s not on at TMC happening in the space, but be sure to check out the website, be sure to check out the newsletter, like and subscribe to these videos so you don’t miss anything from TMC. If you’re going, have a great week. If you’re not going to be there, like I said, we’ll keep you up to date. Have a great weekend. Thanks everybody. Bye.
