Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation expands Newmar partnership with new SL chassis for Essex

Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC) and Newmar Corporation announced an expansion of their ongoing and successful product partnership through which Newmar's Essex motorhome model will be available on FCCC's SL chassis.

Newmar and FCCC jointly announced the introduction of the Essex available on the SL at the annual Newmar dealer meeting in Texas. An Essex model riding on an FCCC SL chassis was available for test-drives at the meeting, attended by approximately 120 dealer personnel from throughout the United States.

"We continue to enjoy a successful partnership with Newmar, working closely with them to develop custom chassis for their quality motorhomes, and we look forward to expanding that partnership with the SL and Essex," said Tony Sippel, director of sales and marketing for FCCC. "As a Daimler company – the parent company of Mercedes-Benz – we offer access to innovative technology and a breadth of engineering and development resources. That access, combined with Newmar's rich heritage of designing and building the finest motorhomes on the road, drives the development of some of the most innovative products available in the industry, the newest of which we are eager to share with RV drivers."

Newmar will begin offering Essex models on the SL chassis from FCCC beginning this month at Newmar dealers nationwide. The SL chassis will offer Essex drivers a wealth of state-of-the-art features and benefits, including a Detroit Diesel DD13 engine and its Virtual Technician technology, which allows factory service advisors to remotely monitor every aspect of the motorhome's engine via a high-definition GPS system. Other features of the SL chassis include increased fuel economy, lowered engine position, a Neway air suspension system, custom-tuned Sachs shocks, and a standard independent tag suspension with passive steer. And, as with all chassis from FCCC, the Essex on an SL will be supported by a nationwide service network of more than 450 service locations.

"Both Newmar and FCCC share a culture focused on quality craftsmanship, product innovation, and most importantly, providing the best in customer service and support," explained John Sammut, vice president of sales and marketing for Newmar. "So when these two great companies work together, great things tend to happen. And it's that combination of performance and prestige that has us so proud to share the newest addition to this partnership with the Essex and SL."

The partnership between Newmar and FCCC began several years ago, and has grown to include the availability of FCCC chassis under several Newmar models, including Ventana, Ventana LE, Dutch Star, Mountain Aire and now Essex.

"This Essex/SL product partnership is the outstanding result of the close, collaborative teamwork between FCCC and Newmar throughout entire process of bringing this product to market," added Pat Terveer, director of luxury sales, product planning and design for Newmar. "With the Essex, as with the other products of this partnership, customers get comfort, convenience, and safety all riding on the seamless integration of coach and chassis."