It’s been roughly three years since we learned that the new Next Generation Delivery Vehicle (NGDV) designed and built by Oshkosh Defense will be used by the United States Postal Service (USPS) to replace its ages-old fleet of Grumman Long Life Vehicles (LLV), though those new models will also feature powertrains and various other components from Ford. Deliveries of the NGDV began just a couple of months ago, however, and while it’s thus far proving popular with mail carriers, it also seems as if the new haulers are far behind schedule.
According to the Washington Post, a series of “manufacturing mishaps and supplier infighting” has led to major delays in the deliveries of NGDV mail carriers, of which USPS is slated to purchase 60,000 of in the coming years at a cost of around $10 billion. However, as of this month, the Postal Service has only taken delivery of 93 units, versus the 3,000 that it had previously expected to have in its fleet by now.
The reasoning for this delay stems from a variety of manufacturing issues, it seems, including problems calibrating airbags, water leaks inside the cabin, and various other roadblocks. “This is the bottom line: We don’t know how to make a damn truck,” a person involved with NGDV production stated. At the moment, Oshkosh is building just one vehicle per day, compared to the 80 it was expecting to churn out by now. Regardless, USPS and Oshkosh expect production to ramp up soon, with a spokesperson from the latter company stating that it remains “fully committed to being a strong and reliable partner” for the Postal Service and “we remain on track to meet all delivery deadlines.”
In the meantime, the future of the all-electric version of the NGDV remains a bit murky amid reports that incoming U.S. President Donald Trump is considering terminating the existing contract with Oshkosh and Ford. Regardless, Blue Oval CEO Jim Farley recently stated that he isn’t concerned about any potential changes to policy that Trump may implement regarding the automotive industry as a whole.
Comments
Over budget and behind schedule. Outstanding!
Trump has made noises of cancelling the order for these new EV USPS vehicles.
He cannot do that. The USPS is sn independent operation, generating its own income.
We’ll see. The USPS is debt ridden. The British Royal Mail has been sold. Time for change. Our systems of too many government departments are arrogant and dysfunctional.
Always a good idea to buy a vehicle from a company that says Quote ” We don’t know how to make a damn truck,” a person involved with NGDV production stated. ”
Hmm? Maybe buy vehicles from a vehicle manufacturer that has experience building large quantities of vehicles.