Mack Serious About Highway Business

LOUISVILLE, KY - Mack Trucks Inc. said its rollout of a new 70-in. "mid-rise" sleeper here at the Mid-America Trucking Show reinforces its "commitment to leadership in the highway tractor business, particularly the local and regional haul segment."

Paul Vikner, Mack president & CEO, stated that "2003 was a challenging year for Mack as well as the entire truck industry. But that's behind us now. Our order intake in the last quarter of '03 and into this year has been strong. There seems to be growing optimism about the economy. Customers who have been delaying capital equipment purchases are starting to buy trucks again. And we're seeing other customers who, for various reasons, purchased trucks from other manufacturers coming back to Mack."

The sleeper, designed for use on CH and Vision tractors, boasts materials chosen to buffer engine noise, reduce vibration and combat driver fatigue, said the OEM.

Mack also announced it is adding 12,000- and 14,300-lb. versions to its UniMax front axle family. Mack said the new axles weigh less than comparable units and feature unitized wheel hubs. Expansion of the UniMax line was described by Mack as another indicator of its commitment to "the highway business."