Cincinnati Tourism Provides Fuel for Work Truck Sales

While the search for work trucks for sale in Cincinnati may not break any records, recent trends suggest that could change. With economic struggles prevailing from declining manufacturing jobs (in a state still identified as a “manufacturing state”) and a documented stagnancy in population growth, the last few years have put a big question mark over employment opportunities in Cincinnati.

But with the growth in tourism revenue seen in 2016 (linked directly to refinements in Cincinnati’s entertainment, culinary, and hotel industries) there is bound to be an increase in the demand for support services. From distributors to contractors, it’s quite possible that Cincinnati could experience a noticeable uptick in commercial employment if the city’s leisure tourism industry trends upward, as projected.\

With more thriving business requiring support, an increased demand of mobile work forces, transportation of supplies, equipment, and crews could follow. Easily overlooked, this forges a direct correlation to the availability of commercial vehicles and, in turn, customization options designed to improve the efficiency of those vehicles.

The latter is referred to as ‘upfitting’ and considering that some businesses and service providers may be widely ignorant to the options available to them, let’s break it down a bit…

Upfit 101

A commercial upfitter is defined by the National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) as ‘any type of manufacturer or distributor that makes alterations to a complete or incomplete vehicle sourced from any number of original manufacturers or OEM (original equipment manufacturer).’

Simplified, upfitters take a vehicle or chassis from a manufacturer (Chevrolet, for example) and modify it (sometimes very specifically) so that it is suitable for work-based applications. Upfitting is traditionally facilitated by the combined efforts of (up to) three separate groups:

• Body, Equipment & Trailer Manufacturers who produce the after-market upfit components.
• Body, Equipment & Trailer Distributors who (as you may have suspected) distribute those components, and
• Factory Upfitters normally the OEM, which modifies the vehicles for sale within the marketplace.

While there are certainly other avenues (such as specialty shops) through which to explore upfitting options, all channels connect to these three primary groups in some way or another.

Granted, your needs may not require any type of customization. Perhaps your search for work trucks for sale in Cincinnati can be accommodated by standard models and available trim levels. Regardless of which group you fall into, you have a friend in…

McCluskey Chevrolet

Visit mccluskeychevrolet.com and you have the option of looking over our wide-range of standard truck models (for more basic needs), as well the option to click on our Work Trucks tab, and explore the options available to you.

Chevy Commercial Trucks and Vans

The right foundation for customization can be surprisingly affordable. If your needs are more traditional, Chevy has a number of truck and van offerings that are ideal.

Starting at $20,120, the Colorado offers best in-class towing (7,700 LBS) and horsepower (308 hp). With its impressive fuel economy (30 mpg), the Colorado has also been recognized for its value by Kelley Blue Book, winning the 5-Year Cost to Own award.

The Silverado 1500 (starting at $27,785 MSRP), ranks as the most dependable, longest-lasting full-size pickup on the road named by Vincentric as the ‘Best Commercial Pickup Truck in America.’ Once again serving up best-in-class horsepower (420 hp) and towing capacity (12,500 LBS) when powered by the optional 6.0-liter V8, additional options include a 5.3-liter V8 and a 4.3-liter V6 which throws up its own impressive numbers, including an estimated 24 highway mpg.

Priced to start at $33,610 MSRP, the Silverado HD boasts a Duramax 6.6-liter Diesel that shakes the ground below it with 445 hp and 910 lbs-ft of torque. It’s a beast. Respect it.

And if your needs are better satisfied by van styling, Chevrolet offers the driver-centric and urban-oriented City Express ($22,405 MSRP), the load-friendly Express Cargo ($30,745), and the aptly-named Express Passenger ($33,140), which is perfect for getting your crew from Point A to Point B.

Chevy Cutaway / Chassis Cab

If you require a truly custom upfit for very specific tasks, there are number of cutaway options available to you.

Starting at $29,550 MSRP, the Express Cutaway offers a full frame van-styled chassis that’s as well-designed a basis for a utility box truck, as it is for a school bus. Available in three wheelbase lengths, you can choose from the 3500 or 4500 model, and the 4.8-liter or 6.0-liter 8-cylinder engine. With the latter channeling 342 horsepower, the Express Cutaway is ready for anything.

The Silverado Chassis Cab is priced to start at $33,755 MSRP, and available in both regular and crew cabs, as well as in three different wheelbases. With either a 6.0-liter V8 (delivering 360 hp and 380 lbs-ft of torque) or a Duramax 6.6-liter Turbo-Diesel V8 (pumping out a class-leading 445 hp and 910 lbs-ft) you have everything you’ll need to get the job done.

The Low-Cab Forward (starting at $39,775) offerings are designed for any and every hauling task imaginable. Combined, the seven variants offer the perfect combination of size and engine power for your specific needs. From the 3500 and 4500, powered by a 6.0-liter V8 (delivering 297 hp and 372 lbs-ft) to the 3500HD, powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged Diesel (150 hp and 282 lbs-ft), you get the perfect platform to customize your build. And if you need something “more” the 4500 HD/XD, 5500 HD/XD, and 6500XD can accommodate up to 30-foot box lengths, while channeling 215 hp and up to 520 lbs-ft through the 5.2-liter turbocharged diesel.

From service and platform body to utility and dry freight boxes, landscaping to contracting, tow and hauler to dump body, the options are limitless. At mccluskeychevrolet.com, you can select the body style specific to your needs, and build the perfect work truck for your business.

Rebrand Alongside Cincinnati

If the city continues to rebrand itself, why not rebrand your business with commercial vehicles tailored to your specific needs? In addition to the benefits of mobilizing your services, your continued success and the presence of your work trucks will provide added assurance of the good things coming to Cincinnati each and every day