The new design for the USPS truck delivers ... or does it?
The U.S. Postal Service is giving its delivery trucks a makeover, and people seem to have mixed opinions about the new design.
On Tuesday, the Postal Service announced that it will be creating "a new generation of U.S.-built postal delivery vehicles" that will replace its current delivery fleet, which includes many trucks that are at least 30 years old.
Over the next decade, the service will work with the manufacturer Oshkosh Defense to assemble 50,000 to 165,000 delivery trucks and the two partners have even given the trucks a new name: "Next Generation Delivery Vehicle (NGDV)."
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What sets these new trucks apart? For starters, they'll include improved features like air conditioning and heating and a more ergonomic design. The vehicles will also have advanced technology, such as 360-degree cameras, advanced braking and a front- and rear-collision avoidance system.
The delivery trucks will also be equipped with fuel-efficient internal combustion engines or battery electric powertrains. According to a press release from the Postal Service, the cars can also "be retrofitted to keep pace with advances in electric vehicle technologies."
“Our fleet modernization also reflects the Postal Service’s commitment to a more environmentally sustainable mix of vehicles,” Postmaster General and CEO Louis DeJoy said in a statement. “Because we operate one of the largest civilian government fleets in the world, we are committed to pursuing near-term and long-term opportunities to reduce our impact on the environment.”
The Postal Service has invested $482 million into its contact with Oshkosh Defense and the revamped delivery trucks are just one part of the company's plans to become the "preferred delivery service provider for the American public."
You can expect to see the new vehicles on the road in 2023, but a lot of Twitter users aren't exactly looking forward to it.
Awesome but do they really have to look like that in the picture? Because that’s an ugly truck for sure
— Graflex16mm (@Graflex16mm) February 24, 2021
Many social media users called the design "ugly" and some thought the new truck has lost its nostalgic touch.
I understand the USPS needs a new delivery truck, but it couldn't the iconic design be maintained? And even then, why'd such an ugly design have to be chosen??
— Neiito🤠 (@Neiito_) February 24, 2021
Interestingly enough, a lot of folks thought the trucks looked like something out of a Pixar movie.
Wait? So #Pixar designed the new #USPS mail truck? Will they be hiring talking animals as carriers? Cause that would be cool! pic.twitter.com/6wC0dxMUUO
— Lanny (@rangerlongshot) February 24, 2021
Some particularly thought of the film "Cars" after seeing the new design.
Looks like Postie the mail truck will be in Cars 4 😂 #Pixar #USPS pic.twitter.com/HyuiCxzs9D
— 🇺🇸I LOVE AMERICA🇺🇸 (@671JH) February 24, 2021
Still, some were willing to overlook the cartoonish design once they heard that the cars would be more eco-friendly.
LOL that looks like a cartoon version of a postal truck! But if it works and puts fewer emissions in the air, okay.
— Radical Goats (@RadicalGoats) February 23, 2021
And some folks even applauded the service for taking a modern approach to the design.
USPS: It is a good step to modernize the delivery vehicles.
— Domingo Trassens (@trassens) February 23, 2021
The photos even made some people smile.
New USPS truck makes me so happy, it looks very charming, and cute
Like a little cartoon toy car, its great— Coffee Times🥐☕ (@tolione_) February 24, 2021
So, what do you think about the new Postal Service truck?
