Class 6’s Fast-Growing Popularity
BALTIMORE — Class 6 emerged at the end of 2000 as the only category of commercial trucks to see sales going up, not down, and the major reason, according to the salesmen, is that the driver does not need a commercial license to operate one.Class 6 trucks top out at a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000 pounds. Under federal law, the CDL requirement does not kick in until the driver is handling a vehicle rated in excess of 26,000 pounds.
“The CDL is a huge issue,” said Mark Porter, a sales engineer manning International Truck and Engine Co. — so huge that it is the driving force in Class 6 sales. International was among the truck manufacturers showing their wares at the National Truck Equipment Association’s Work Truck show, held here March 1 to 3.
For the full story, see the March 12 print edition of Transport Topics. .