Top 12 Commercial Vehicle Brands to Know Before You Buy: Chevrolet to Isuzu
Commercial vehicles are an integral part of keeping the economy moving. From big rigs to passenger vans, these vehicles are built with innovation, advancement, and driver comfort in mind. Whether you own a fleet or are a driver, it’s important to know the best brands and models on the market. Get to know the companies that produce these critical work trucks with Commercial Truck Trader’s list of 12 commercial vehicle brands to know before you buy.
This list is in alphabetical order and divided into two parts. After reading about these first six, check out the next six commercial vehicle brands that round out the top 12.
Here is part one of the top 12 commercial vehicle brands to know before you buy.
1. Chevrolet
Chevrolet was founded by racer Louis Chevrolet and General Motors founder William C. Durant. The brand has manufactured passenger and commercial vehicles for decades, developing innovative features that change the way people drive.
The Chevy Silverado offers the brand’s greatest capabilities, along with advanced technology, that make it as durable as it is dependable. In fact, the Silverado HD won the 2020 ALG Innovation Award for the pickup’s advanced trailering camera system.
The Chevrolet Colorado delivers the power needed for the biggest jobs. The Colorado offers 308 horsepower and 7,000 pounds of maximum towing capability, earning the truck multiple awards in the midsize pickup category.
In addition to pickup trucks, Chevrolet also makes work vans. The Express Cargo Van can be personalized to better accommodate your businesses transportation needs, with a max payload of 4,280 pounds. If you’re moving people, then the Express Passenger Van’s 15-person seating capacity can help you make any trip.
2. Ford
The Ford brand is synonymous with history and innovation. Henry Ford transformed the automobile industry in 1903 and continues to do so over 100 years later. Ford’s family of commercial vehicles are dedicated to working as hard as you do.
The Ford Super Duty’s rugged frame, chassis engineering, and lightweight body help make it a best-in-class line of pickups. The military-grade, aluminum-alloy body is not just lightweight, it’s also more ding-resistant and won’t rust. Put the truck’s 37,000-pound gooseneck towing to work for hot-shot trucking or transporting livestock.
The Ford Transit Connect is a line of cargo vans that are engineered to withstand the toughest day’s work. Configure the van with upfits that suit your business, or drive the versatile Transit Connect Passenger Wagon to move people. If you’re interested in vehicle upfits, the F-59 Commercial Stripped Chassis’s steel frame provides a strong base for easy upfitting.
With an eye on the future, Ford developed an all-electric work van. The E-Transit comes in three models: chassis cab, cutaway and cargo van, designed with a targeted range of 126 miles. Read our previous article to learn about the benefits of electric vehicles.
3. Freightliner
Freightliner has been pioneering the trucking industry since 1942, developing and engineering trucks that propel businesses. The brand manufactures several lines of trucks, along with 4×4 sprinter vans.
For on-highway hauling, Freightliner created the Cascadia, M2 112, and 122SD. Cascadia is a Class 8 truck built with advanced aerodynamics and a comfortable sleeper cab. Freightliner’s other Class 8 is the 122SD, a vocational truck that can tackle the most demanding jobs. The M2 112 Class 7/8 truck was engineered for power, with vehicles in a range of horsepower and torque ratings.
Similar to the 122SD, Freightliner’s other severe-duty trucks are reliable, durable, versatile, and built for any job. The 108SD offers powerful, fuel-efficient engines and a chassis engineered for easy upfits and weight-optimized design. The 114SD focuses on driver comfort and productivity, with superior visibility and enhanced ergonomics. The EconicSD is a purpose-built garbage truck, featuring an easily accessible low entry.
In 2021, Freightliner made advancements in the brand’s electric offerings with two all-electric trucks. The eCascadia is a 100% electric semi truck with a 230-mile range that’s perfect for short hauls. Freightliner also has an all-electric medium-duty truck, the eM2. This zero-emission box truck was designed to be highly maneuverable, easy to drive, comfortable, and quiet on the road.
4. GMC
General Motors Truck Company, GMC for short, was founded in Detroit by the Grabowsky brothers in 1902. GMC began as a truck manufacturer but also makes SUVs and commercial vans.
The Canyon and Sierra lines are GMC’s popular pickup trucks. The Canyon small pickup packs a punch with an available 308 horsepower V6 engine. The light-duty Sierra pickup features GMC’s advanced technology, smart features, and robust powertrains for work and play. GMC’s newest additions are the world’s first all-electric supertrucks, the GMC Hummer EV Pickup and SUV.
The Sierra is also available as a 445-horsepower chassis cab. The newest model offers electric parking brakes to help prevent your truck from rolling back, as well as park grade hold assist for parking on hills.
In addition to trucks, GMC also makes the Savana series of commercial vans. The Savana Passenger van has seating for up to 15 people with room for cargo. If you’re only transporting materials and products, the Savana Cargo Van offers more than 200 cubic feet of cargo space. The Savana is also available as a cutaway van that can be upfitted to best fit your work needs.
5. International
International has been building trucks to move you forward since 1902. The company is a leading producer of light-, medium-, heavy-, and severe-duty trucks.
The CV series of light-duty trucks is the newest addition to International’s lineup. These commercial-grade trucks are both tough and adaptable to accommodate any business and industry.
There are also medium-duty CV models, joining the MV Series. MV trucks can be used as delivery, landscape, towing, and utility vehicles, as well as dump trucks and snow plows. The MV is also available as an all-electric truck. The eMV uses an electric-drive motor to produce zero emissions.
International manufactures three series of heavy duty trucks: Lonestar, LT, and RH. The Lonestar has a proven track record for reliability and efficiency, along with a timeless aerodynamic design. The LT series boasts intuitive controls, a quiet cab, and enhanced safety features for long hauling or local delivery. The RH series was made for maximum maneuverability and visibility on the road, whether you’re driving highway or city.
The HV and HX series of severe-duty trucks pack a punch, whether you’re on a construction site or you’re hauling logs. These trucks are built for the toughest jobs and are spec’d to haul more than 33,000 pounds.
6. Isuzu
Isuzu is a Japanese commercial vehicle manufacturer that makes everything from light- and heavy-duty trucks to buses. Isuzu’s offerings include the N-Series of gas and diesel trucks, as well as the F-Series.
The N-Series includes the Class 3 NPR, Class 5 NQR, and diesel-powered Class 4 NPR, all available as a standard or crew cab. This suite of commercial vehicles can handle all of your business duties for the long run, with a design life of 200,000 miles.
Isuzu describes the F-Series as “the new heavyweight champ,” engineered to be more powerful and stronger. The Class 6 FTR and FVR Derate, along with the Class 7 FVR, have a low-cab forward design to give drivers more maneuverability, power, and visibility to transport cargo with ease.
Marketplace Inventory
Check out part two of our top 12 commercial vehicle brands to know before you buy to see the rest of our most-popular manufacturers. When you’re ready to start shopping for a work truck or van, check out the nationwide online marketplace at CommercialTruckTrader.com.
Arielle Patterson
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