P&D Paradigm Shift: This Change Affects Every Single Contractor
Another day, another change in the last-mile delivery world. Some days it’s 2.0 reconfigurations, other days it’s unexpected driver callouts or inclement weather. One thing hasn’t changed: FedEx’s expectation that contractors maintain uninterrupted service, regardless of curveballs.
We take our role as a partner in our clients’ success very seriously, so we’re always working to remain on the cutting edge of information and updates in our space.
There’s a major update in the P&D world we want to draw your attention to. This affects every single contractor nationwide, and we want you to be prepared:
The writing is on the wall: Ford is discontinuing production of the F-59 chassis.
As you might have heard, Ford has been cancelling production orders across the US for 2026, and the P-Series step vans - including P700s, P1000s, and P1200s - won’t be produced at all starting in 2027.
This is a major shift for the P&D community, and we can help you navigate it.
Read on for ways to continue operating smoothly.
Step vans have been the optimal choice for last-mile delivery operations for decades. The discontinuation of the F-59 chassis leaves a void that must be filled by new, reliable solutions. We've put in the work and done the research to identify what those solutions will be, so that routes can continue to run uninterrupted in the face of this industry-wide paradigm shift.
First things first, we want to emphasize that Ford’s production isn’t going to zero immediately. Ford has assured us that the orders we placed for the year will be fulfilled, and we have current inventory deploying now.
We’ve already got new fleet solutions in place.
We’re excited to share one of the solutions we’ve arranged for this industry shift. We now offer a diesel step van capacity-equivalent delivery vehicle produced by Mercedes. It is equipped with all the efficiencies you're used to in a step van, with the agility and maneuverability of a sprinter.
Some of the benefits of these new vehicles include:
On-yard maintenance provided by Mercedes in most markets, minimizing your downtime - no shop drops required for regular PMs
Diesel trucks require less frequent oil changes - every 20k miles, instead of every 5k - providing more uptime for your fleet
A hybrid step van-meets-sprinter design - think driver-friendly feel in the front, with a heavy duty box body for efficiency and durability
Cab, side, and rear roll-up door access
Capacity comparable to the Ford P-series step vans
Schedule B-compliant upon delivery, like you’re used to
Fleet stressors? Covered, with HTL.
We know this change in production of the industry standard vehicle brings up questions and concerns. The beauty of a full-service lease is that repair and maintenance are our concern.
This is especially true when considering adding our recommended Mercedes diesel trucks to your fleet. There's been a migration away from diesel in the P&D space over the last ten years, fueled in part by risk mitigation: diesel trucks are sometimes considered to be more expensive to maintain and manage. However, when utilized through a full-service lease program, you receive the benefits (on-yard maintenance and less frequent PMs, leading to less downtime), while we absorb the spikes of repair and maintenance costs.
We’re former contractors, so we’ve been there - we understand that owning and operating diesel trucks in your fleet can be challenging and expensive. That’s why we’re making the repair and maintenance our concern: it’s part of our enduring commitment to ensure you have the best options to pivot into, in this shifting last-mile landscape.
Okay, so now what?
Do you have current fleet needs? Don’t wait around hoping the F-59 might come back. The future will get ahead of you, and if we know one thing in this space, it’s that falling behind is incredibly hard to recover from.
That said, nobody expects or recommends that you turn over your entire fleet immediately. Instead, consider the following as you wrap your mind around these major changes. Adjust your fleet strategy accordingly, and if you decide you really do want step vans - move quickly.
As we get farther away from the end of the F-59 chassis production, the availability of those parts will become increasingly scarce, driving prices and timelines up for parts sourcing and repairs
Adding vehicles to your fleet that are actively in production means you’ll have faster access to parts and repairs
Drivers like the Mercedes design - historically, they’ve had an affinity for the sprinter front because it’s easier to handle, without sacrificing capacity in the box
The recommended Mercedes options are safe and efficient - they share the P-series’ cab-to-box access, which reduces the number of work-related injuries and incidents. Trucks without cab access result in higher risk for the drivers, who are getting in and out hundreds of times per day. Safer, more efficient routes translate directly into more streamlined, profitable operations.
Informed contractors are prepared contractors.
The point of this article isn’t to freak you out. It’s to ensure that you’re educated, ahead of the curve, and able to incorporate key information into your fleet strategy. We did the research and started identifying solutions for you early, as part of our longstanding commitment to supporting the contractor community.
We’re already placing these new Mercedes trucks in fleets nationwide. We have solid data that these units represent a great solution for contractors moving away from the step van vehicles that have been the industry standard for so long.
Get the specs!
Contact us today to get the specs for the new Mercedes units.
Does HTL have any step vans available?
We have inventory available, if step vans are what you want and need. Demand is high, and trucks are being deployed every week - reach out today if you want these trucks.
Is your fleet strategy mission critical?
If you need immediate help strategizing for this industry paradigm shift, we’ve got your back. Schedule a fleet strategy call with us to get insights into your most pressing concerns.
How should I refresh my fleet, given this latest P&D change?
What’s the most efficient way to assign a mixed fleet to my routes?
How do I account for changes brought about by 2.0?
I don’t have time for fleet planning. Can you help? (We sure can!)
