Freightliner introduces new medium-duty truck line

PHOENIX (Feb. 20, 2002) — Freightliner Trucks introduced its new medium-duty and vocational truck platform, called the Business Class M2, to replace its Business Class product line introduced in 1991. 

Freightliner is rolling out the new truck line in a 106-inch BBC (bumper-to-back-of-cab) configuration. Extended cabs and crew cabs will be available in late 2002, the company said. A 100-inch BBC model and a 112-inch BBC model will be available in 2003.

Although the Business Class M2 is a completely new vehicle, Freightliner decided to continue the “Business Class” name. The line will serve a multitude of industries and commercial truck applications — local and regional distribution, food and beverage delivery, fire and emergency services, fuel oil delivery, utilities, government services, towing and recovery, and agriculture, among others.

Freightliner said it designed the trucks for superior forward visibility, tight turning radius, a roomier cab and a completely redesigned heating/cooling/ventilation system, more reliability, and rugged construction.

The standard engine is a Mercedes-Benz MBE900 diesel, in four-cylinder and six-cylinder versions

Freightliner will begin taking orders for 106-inch BBC Business Class M2 models immediately. Limited production will begin in June 2002. The truck will be built at Freightliner’s Mt. Holly, N.C., truck manufacturing plant, the site of current Business Class production.