Karsan’s entry to the USPS contract is the largest and most boxy prototype.
Mahindra, AM General and Karsan/Morgan Olson are all candidates for the U.S. Postal Service contract. We’ve already seen a prototype from Mahindra stateside and one from Am General. But Karsan has its own take on the classic mailtruck. It is unique.
For the first time, the prototype of the Turkish truckmaker was seen in America. This boxy vehicle is unlike any we have seen before. Its tall, upright design allows for more space in the rear to accommodate larger packages, at least more than the USPS fleet. It could be equipped with a plug in hybrid powertrain. The Postal Service is currently exploring other powertrain options.
The Karsan prototype will also include a sliding door and a right-hand drive setup. This is as expected for mail trucks. It will also have air conditioning, which is a first, and a more tech-focused interior, possibly with a 360-degree camera. It’s not the only model with more tech. AM General’s prototype was shown with LED headlights and a digital instrument cluster. The center console was borrowed from modern Volvo cars.
The Karsan courier prototype is being tested along with five other candidates. A few of these have been also spotted in the U.S. The “real-world” testing of prototypes began in October and will continue in cities such as Flint, Michigan, Leesburg, Virginia, and Tucson, Arizona before any decision is made in the new year.