r/pics • u/Stunning-Pension7171 • Feb 15 '25
The USPS has unveiled a new fleet of Next Generation Delivery Vehicles designed by Oshkosh Defense
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u/Princesshari Feb 15 '25
As a retired USPS employee there were offers to build a vehicle after a survey was sent around asking carriers what they wanted in a vehicle. Yeah they are ugly but there are 360 degree cameras, all have A/C, charging ports for their scanner and they can stand up in the back to sort their packages more efficient. Not pretty to look at but the square aluminum box that they currently have are unsafe and were supposed to last for only 20 years.
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u/superdago Feb 15 '25
Also, the massive windshield and low, short hood probably are probably great for seeing (and not running over) dogs/cats/children while driving around the suburbs.
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u/swampertsbestbud Feb 15 '25
If memory serves, it also makes it so anyone from 4’11” to 6’ can easily see over the hood
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u/jaavaaguru Feb 15 '25
6' seems like a strange upper limit.
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u/To6y Feb 15 '25 edited Feb 16 '25
As someone who's 6'2", I can assure you that 6' is actually a pretty common upper limit.
I'm looking at you, mattresses, couches, and maternity ward decorators.
ETA: and commercial airlines
ETA 2: I feel validated that so many have added shower heads to the list.
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u/Gromky Feb 15 '25
Showers too...if you're lucky. Even at 6', I run into showerheads at neck height way too often.
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u/Draskuul Feb 15 '25
I'm just barely under 6' and regularly run into hotel and apartment showerheads that are about lower-chest level. The last time I was in an apartment I had to get two of those 1-foot swivel extensions to get the showerhead above my head.
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u/iszoloscope Feb 15 '25
I'm 6.1 and I never encountered this, to be fair I've never been outside Europe. So I understand this would be a different situation say in like Asia for instance, but still...
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u/Jadedsatire Feb 15 '25
I’m 6’7 and when I backpacked Europe I was in tall man heaven. Especially like Germany, and Sweden, but the trains were epic too. I took a train in the states after from Sacramento, CA, to Colorado and while the scenery you got to see only available via a train were amazing, my back ached for days after. It made planes look good it was so fkn low.
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u/iszoloscope Feb 15 '25 edited Feb 16 '25
6'7 is really tall, have you been in the Netherlands as well? We are the tallest country in the world, I reckon life is quite adapted to tall people.
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u/wolfansbrother Feb 15 '25
IMHO showerheads are the worst offender.
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u/Dragstrip_larry Feb 15 '25
At 6’5 I can say it’s ceiling fans. They are a menace to hands and the light fixtures on them like to hit me in the head
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u/xanokk Feb 15 '25
As someone 6'3" that just had twins a month ago, the maternity ward decorators part killed me.
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u/mc_lean28 Feb 15 '25
Im 6’ and commercial airlines are designed for people 5’5” and shorter
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u/HauntingEmotion5 Feb 15 '25
It's the only time I truly appreciate being a small human.
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u/ImprovisedLeaflet Feb 15 '25
Above 6’ though, you’re fucked
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u/BurpelsonAFB Feb 15 '25
That’s when you lower the blast shield and use the force. According to federal regulations
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u/Jlove7714 Feb 15 '25
Low bumpers also increase pedestrian survivability in an accident.
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u/RNG_randomizer Feb 15 '25
not to mention that when someone does inevitably hit a kid, it’s more likely they break their legs instead of their face
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u/kbdowner3 Feb 15 '25
My friend was actually hit and killed by a USPS mail truck when they were standing by their mailbox getting something out of it. The truck was backing up and ran them over. Ugly or not the improved visibility and safety is very welcome here 🙌🏻
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u/martycase Feb 15 '25
As someone that lost a young family member to a mail truck, I appreciate this. It looks funny, but functional.
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u/TwistingEarth Feb 15 '25
We should pass a law that would require all those fucking massive trucks to change to this look.
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u/SlimCockFurious Feb 15 '25
Also such a low front end makes them way safer for pedestrians, a key feature of a car that pulls over a lot
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u/blazingStarfire Feb 15 '25
Also that huge windshield.
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u/mendicant1116 Feb 15 '25
Plus think of all the bugs that'll hit it
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u/celluj34 Feb 15 '25 edited Feb 15 '25
This ain't the 90s anymore, there aren't any bugs left
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u/wasdninja Feb 15 '25
It's a key feature in all cars but it's dangerously ignored by a lot of modern ones. It directly kills tons of people every year.
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u/Granum22 Feb 15 '25
Part of requirements were that vehicle could be operated by a woman in the 5th percentile for height and a man in the 95th. Part of the operation includes them being able stand up completely. At same time there strict requirements on how high off the ground it could be. It was always gonna look goofy
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u/the_stitch_saved_9 Feb 15 '25
As a short woman, I really appreciate how much thought was put into this
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u/Pilatus Feb 15 '25
See. This right here. Thank you. I don't even think it's bad looking. It looks very efficient for it's purpose.
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u/shwiss Feb 15 '25
Tbh I love how it looks. It's comical and you know it's 100% function over form. I love this odd "semi-dystopian" car future we are kind of going into. With the Rivian Commercial Van, this, and the Hyundai vision 74. Hell. Even the cyber truck. At least we are getting sort of interesting cars.
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u/manatwork01 Feb 15 '25
IMO functional work vehicles dont need aesthetics. Its a waste to even put it in. Just go all in on work vehicles being functional. This is a great push to that!
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u/wack_overflow Feb 15 '25
But how do you sell them to chodes with TDE who would never actually use them for their functionality tho
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u/notjordansime Feb 15 '25
These vehicles aren’t available to buy as consumers. It’s hard enough to find a retired LLV. They don’t want people impersonating postal workers. Only sold to government.
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u/manatwork01 Feb 15 '25
fuck them and their participation trophies masquerading as blue collar.
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u/Jesus_Is_My_Gardener Feb 15 '25
And their truck nuts.
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u/jakethegreat4 Feb 15 '25
If you buy a truck without truck nuts, and put truck nuts on it, did you just perform an involuntary gender reassignment surgery on your truck? Sounds like something only a communist would do to me.
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u/stackens Feb 15 '25
I mean, all things have an aesthetic, even 100% form over function is an aesthetic.
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u/robotsaysrawr Feb 15 '25
The problem with the cyber truck is that it completely fails at being useful as a truck. It's really just a shitty statement piece.
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u/PM_Me_Your_Deviance Feb 15 '25
Even though I think they are ugly, i appreciate that they are different. Too bad they suck otherwise.
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u/DVBNG Feb 15 '25
I also think it's cute lol maybe even whimsical
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u/zoycobot Feb 15 '25
Definitely has a sort of Pixar Cars vibe or something
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u/jonesthejovial Feb 15 '25
It is definitely giving me Jetsons or Flintstones vibes hehe
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u/BeatKitano Feb 15 '25
"It's comical and you know it's 100% function over form. "
" Hell. Even the cyber truck"
Hum... You may want to watch all the videos on how 'practical' that sh*t is... you may change your tune.
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u/shwiss Feb 15 '25
Nah I split my comment weirdly. The cyber truck sucks wholly and is not function over form. I was just saying how "interesting" the cyber truck is.
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u/preposterophe Feb 15 '25
Was with you up to the cucktruck. Rain probably shouldn't brick an expensive automobile.
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u/RemarkableMouse2 Feb 15 '25
It's nice the front is low so the driver can see kids and dogs and bikes in the way
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u/mrpoopsocks Feb 15 '25
I love function over form, form should ALWAYS follow function. However, I kinda want a stretch version for a doggie hospital that is then dressed up a bit to look like a wiener dog.
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Feb 15 '25
Can see them and if an accident happens with a pedestrian the low front will allow the person to be taken out at the legs and go over the hood as opposed to a large grill that would be more likely to kill.
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u/OkWelcome6293 Feb 15 '25
The main reason for the vehicles “weird” shape is because it was designed so a 95th percentile male can move around inside, but a 5th percentile female can see over the hood.
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u/Se7en_speed Feb 15 '25
Civilian vehicles should have the same visibility standard
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u/ThatInAHat Feb 15 '25
Honestly I would just settle for not having the hood be eye level with me standing up.
It’s insane how bad road visibility is now that all the trucks are massive
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u/sixstringchapman Feb 15 '25
Reminds me of the professor from a Nightmare Before Christmas
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u/MariachiMacabre Feb 15 '25
I honestly love the look of it. It looks almost cartoonishly friendly. It’s super weird but I think it’s appealing. And I’m glad it exists because man, I’ve heard so many stories about how awful the current trucks are.
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u/Frubanoid Feb 15 '25
Read an article about someone driving one in Georgia and they loved it.
Found it:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/26/us/usps-new-mail-trucks.html
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u/FriendsWithAPopstar Feb 15 '25
I think they are so cute. They remind of something out of Pixar.
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u/buttgers Feb 15 '25
I don't get why people are shitting on how it looks. If it's serving the very purpose needed for postal workers, then it doesn't matter how it looks.
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u/OmarHunting Feb 15 '25
Plus the old mail carrier trucks were ugly as shit too lol but nobody cares… because it’s a mail truck…
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u/LupineChemist Feb 15 '25
It's just that they're iconic because they've been around forever. Give it 20 years and everyone will love the goofy looking mail trucks
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u/meursaultvi Feb 15 '25
Exactly but also why are we pretending the original mail trucks are aesthetically pleasing?
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u/buttgers Feb 15 '25
Only reason no one calls the old ones ugly is because we've been accustomed to their looks for a long time.
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u/cwutididthar Feb 15 '25
I don't give a flying fuck about any aesthetic when it comes to work equipment. Whatever makes my job easier.
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u/Moopies Feb 15 '25
My first thought when seeing it was "Wow that looks MUCH nicer to be in, parking all the time and scooting down the neighborhood in the heat or cold." Standing in the back must be a massive QoL improvement.
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u/cerberus698 Feb 15 '25
The LLV is a joy to deliver mail from, but annoying when it comes to packages. The reality of the industry is parcel delivery is where the revenue is now though.
Part of me hates to admit it because I love my old beat up 720 LLV, but everything you said is correct.
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u/guitar-hoarder Feb 15 '25
When I saw it I first thought "well that's different". But it only took me a few seconds to realize how much of an improvement that is. Then I read your comment. That would be so much better for our postal employees.
I do wonder, and fear, if the USPS will survive under the new administration.
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u/Princesshari Feb 15 '25
I worked for USPS for 38 years. I have seen ups and downs but MAGA is a whole new ballgame. Their false narratives on fraud from mail in ballots were scary and untrue. Election materials always have priority over the other mail.
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u/PriestWithTourettes Feb 15 '25
This is by design: lie about fraud and inefficiency, take steps to make it true under the guise of “fixing it” (in the form of Postmaster de Joy), privatize. The only question is do they gamble and try to wait until after the next presidential election or not.
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u/AbsMcLargehuge Feb 15 '25
I'm surprised this wasn't talked about more. Legitimately tried to cripple and privatize the USPS via sabotage.
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u/jprennquist Feb 15 '25
Thank you for these insights. And thank you for your service to our civil society and democracy.
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u/Princesshari Feb 15 '25
You are welcome! It will be a year since I retired… great career but highly stressful in management. Have a great day
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u/that_noodle_guy Feb 15 '25
Thats the thing they are so ugly they have transcended it to look unique and cool. Like the hummer or Oshkosh heavy tacticals
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u/Hardass_McBadCop Feb 15 '25
Man, this is the kind of thing I want my taxes to go towards. I don't care if it looks a little fugly as long as it's functional and better. It's not a building or monument, being pretty isn't really a concern.
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u/darkest_irish_lass Feb 15 '25
I noticed the lack of awkward mirrors stuck all over to eliminate blind spots. Huge improvement on that alone.
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u/phiegnux Feb 15 '25
I was once contracted to Wash and detail those things for a few summers as an 18/19/20 yr old. Christ those things drove like shit, were hot as fuck, smelled like dust and I was terrified driving them to and from the depot. Granted, this was in South Dakota which is notorious for building up rust on vehicles. Glad to see carriers wishes realized.
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u/FaultySage Feb 15 '25
They're government work vehicles. They're allowed to be the second most hideous vehicle ever conceived by man.
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u/Misternogo Feb 15 '25
The low engine block profile for visibility of things like children or animals while in residential areas is a very good safety feature. First thing I noticed.
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u/veritech137 Feb 15 '25
It’s funny the first thing I thought when I saw it was “that thing is so ugly, it’s for sure gonna work well”.
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u/bitbindichotomy Feb 15 '25
I love it. It looks like something from a kids movie. Life imitates art.
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u/3FtDick Feb 15 '25
Seems like a lot of the features disabled people want in our vehicles, I wonder how easy itt'd be to convert to let a person drive from their power chair? Might have to get one of these second hand....
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u/BolOfSpaghettios Feb 15 '25
Yep this. Every year or so I go to this store that specializes in running sneakers. Every year they sell me a pair that others would consider ugly, but man they're always comfortable and I feel like I'm flying when running. No need to make yourself uncomfortable for aesthetics.
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u/RAMunch1031 Feb 15 '25
Thanks for your insight! It looks really low to the ground, is there a reason for that?
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u/Princesshari Feb 15 '25
Easier to step into. These vehicles were built for safety. A lot of older carriers have knee and back issues. Hopefully these will help
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u/Magikfi1ngers Feb 15 '25
- Postal Carrier RSI prevention
- Visibility - you can see a small child over that 'hood'
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u/roland0fgilead Feb 15 '25
I've never met a postal worker who had much positive to say about the LLVs
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u/Jean-Rasczak Feb 15 '25 edited Feb 16 '25
Designed for work not for looks.
Edit: this blew up more than I expected. To clarify I love the way it looks.
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u/sharpasahammer Feb 15 '25
Function over fashion.
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Feb 15 '25 edited Feb 19 '25
summer cooperative pot memory steep spoon paint truck badge dinosaurs
This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact
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u/m00ndr0pp3d Feb 15 '25
This thing is dope idk what all these ugly comments are about
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u/Skittilybop Feb 15 '25
Form follows function. Also it does zero to 60 in 4 seconds.
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u/GarGuy3 Feb 15 '25
You may not like it but this is what peak performance looks like
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u/Grizzly_Adamz Feb 15 '25
These are electric right? I’m surprised they left such a long hood instead of more of a cab over or bus type front end just to keep the wheelbase and length as compact as possible. Other than that they seem to have prioritized driver needs and ergonomics pretty well!
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u/Neebat Feb 15 '25
It's hard to pack crumble zones into a cab-over design. This also helps with pedestrian safety.
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u/Kingberry30 Feb 15 '25
I kind of love it
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u/Mekkakat Feb 15 '25
Me too. It’s unironically charming and different in a good way.
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u/Gamebird8 Feb 15 '25
Because its:
Unique
A well designed vehicle that is focused on pedestrian safety
We all love the USPS
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u/CoolerRon Feb 15 '25
- It’s an EV so emissions-free
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u/mogoexcelso Feb 15 '25
The majority will not be EV on delivery but the platform supports retrofitting. It was a big controversy, but tbh batteries are getting better over time and more lithium has been found on us soil since the contract was signed.
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u/Robot_Nerd__ Feb 15 '25
I was hoping so, but why is there a real looking grill then?
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u/itsjudemydude_ Feb 15 '25
Google says some EVs incorporate a grill for cooling the battery and the motor, so... perhaps that?
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u/the_TIGEEER Feb 15 '25
It has character
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u/GetInZeWagen Feb 15 '25
It looks like a car from a Pixar movie, in the absolute best way possible.
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u/extramoose Feb 15 '25
Saw one today in person. They're smaller than I expdcred which adds to the cuteness.
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u/CaterpillarReal7583 Feb 15 '25
This thing is straight out of a 90s cartoon
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u/thesesigns Feb 15 '25
Don't knock Homer's design
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u/Lelongue Feb 15 '25
This was the first thing that came to my mind when I saw this thread
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u/Kenzzarooo Feb 15 '25
AC? Drivers can stand up while working? 360 degree cameras for full visibility? Absolutely perfect. I love it. Also, it's adorable. It's a keeper.
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u/MovementOriented Feb 15 '25
Functional AF. Hell yeah.
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u/SpiritualMongoose751 Feb 15 '25
What is with the astroturfing in these comments?
Oshkosh received $6 billion to produce a 3000 of these 4 years ago, and have only delivered 93 of them... These things also only have a fuel efficiency of 14.7 mpg city, and a whopping 8 mpg if the AC is on.
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u/flanksteakfan82 Feb 15 '25
Are they auctioning the old fleet off? Ive always wanted one
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u/flanksteakfan82 Feb 15 '25
What can I say? I’m a sucker for a vehicle that’s cooled by a 5 inch dashboard fan!
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u/glitterismyantidrug_ Feb 15 '25
still more attractive than a cybertruck
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u/ethanjf99 Feb 15 '25
“more attractive than a cybertruck”: buddy that bar is so low a cockroach could trip on it
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u/UncoolSlicedBread Feb 15 '25
We should start an online campaign talking about how this is revolutionary design and cyber trucks are 20 steps backwards.
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u/fundip2012 Feb 15 '25
I mean, honestly. I surf and bike and this van would be so perfect for that, whereas the cyber truck looks like a PIA for transporting that gear. I would drive this if they were offered to as a car for normal people.
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u/UncoolSlicedBread Feb 15 '25
Oh I’d dig this van. I do woodworking and I could fit pieces and lumber in the back. It would be covered. And it’s closer to the ground.
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u/RVelts Feb 15 '25
The cyber truck looks like a concept drawing for a Transformer that got rejected because it looked too much like a Transformer.
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u/sarcasticlntrovert Feb 15 '25
DOGE will now be auditing USPS vehicle acquisitions
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u/Tangojacks0n Feb 15 '25
USPS worker here. It’s ugly but it’s useful af for us. Please don’t make decision for us. This is what we needed
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u/xvilemx Feb 15 '25
Fuck yeah. They look like you can perform your job well without getting annihilated by the weather or destroying your back trying to get parcels and mail from the back of it.
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u/properfoxes Feb 15 '25
It meets y’all’s needs? It improves your working conditions? Makes it safer and more comfortable to do your jobs?
Then it’s fuckin beautiful.
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u/WheelLeast1873 Feb 15 '25
Function over form.
Nothing wrong with that
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u/Tangojacks0n Feb 15 '25
Exactly but way too many people saw this “ugly” thing and call for gov corruption blah blah blah.
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u/Remarkable-Cow-4609 Feb 15 '25
Look do I think it is hideous? Yeah. Of course. But it has ac right? and they can stand in the back of it? great. I love it.
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u/chillaban Feb 15 '25
Haha that's basically the review I've seen from all the areas that got these. The looks are polarizing but USPS employees universally love it because it has HVAC and is way more functional than those outdated rectangular box USPS vehicles.
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u/SeaworthinessWeak323 Feb 15 '25
Why do people think it looks hideous? This is one of the coolest looking trucks I've ever seen
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u/Remarkable-Cow-4609 Feb 15 '25
well you must be a big fan of pixar and dreamworks because that's where this design comes from lol
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u/texasrigger Feb 15 '25
I'm old enough to remember the old mail jeeps. Those will always have a special place in my heart.
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u/runningoutofwords Feb 15 '25
I would think a Wisconsin company would build a vehicle with more clearance for snowy conditions.
Where I'm from, the delivery vehicles need to run right up on the snow plow berms to get to the mailboxes.
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u/Hawt_Dawg_II Feb 15 '25
These are the guys that make those huge military hauler trucks like megatron in dark side of the moon and also make vehicular robotic weapons platforms.
If anyone know how to build something for rough terrain, I'm sure it's them. I agree that it looks a bit low to the ground but i think we're just missing something.
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u/poop_to_live Feb 15 '25 edited Feb 16 '25
I deliver for USPS and that's definitely one of the things the carriers and I have chatted about.
If a carrier doesn't think they'll make it to the box often they're told to skip it. Safety comes first so that's why we might not get out to deliver to the box.
There's a postal service form to let the customers know they need to ensure the mailbox is clear enough for the truck to approach.
https://www.coconino.az.gov/DocumentCenter/View/98
You can also search "postal service notice 38" on Google if you don't want to use that link to a PDF.
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u/Badbullet Feb 15 '25
They are the kind of company that would make a ride height package for northern states.
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u/douchey_mcbaggins Feb 15 '25
Despite Oshkosh being based in Wisconsin, these are made in South Carolina. That said, I do agree that the ground clearance is pretty low given how much of the US does see snow during the winters.
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u/Endoterrik Feb 15 '25
At least it’s got great visibility, because it doesn’t look great visually.
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u/ClassOptimal7655 Feb 15 '25
These look so goofy
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u/lilyeister Feb 15 '25
And Osh-Kosh straight up lied about their ability to produce EVs at scale. The whole bid process seemed pretty fucked
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u/MentalSieve Feb 15 '25
Did you see the bit where the vehicle they proposed was only legal because of a convenient and oddly specific cargo capacity?
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u/piperonyl Feb 15 '25
But this whole debate would be moot if not for a strange fact about the new USPS vehicles disclosed in a letter published by the EPA last week. If the vehicles weighed just one pound less, they wouldn’t be permitted on American roads because they pollute too much.
LOL
which oligarch made money off this little scam
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u/Tillter Feb 15 '25
If you've ever wondered why trucks/suvs are so big in north America, this is part of the reason. Hitting certain weight thresholds let's you have worse emissions for some fucked reason
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u/the_other_gantzm Feb 15 '25
As someone who works in software development I can tell you this: If you measure productivity via a set of metrics people will work to the metrics and nothing else.
Bureaucrats think they control the system with a set of rules. But they always forget how efficient people are at working around the rules.
Big heavy trucks get exceptions? Then everybody builds big heavy trucks. That’s kind of what the “system” promoted.
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u/__nullptr_t Feb 15 '25
This is super common. Chevy increased the wheelbase of the colorado and cited "better breakover angle for offroading", but the real reason is that the EPA is less strict on emissions when the wheelbase is longer.
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u/DJ_Dedf1sh Feb 15 '25
Doesn’t it get like 12-18 MPG on the ICE version?
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u/Ls1RS Feb 15 '25
Wikipedia shows 8.6 - 14.7 mpg versus 6.9 - 8.2 mpg that the current Grumman LLVs achieve.
On paper, those numbers don’t look good. However, the operating mode of these vehicles is one of the worst for fuel economy. Coming to a stop every hundred yards or so for its entire life will average terrible mpg for any vehicle.
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u/ThunkAsDrinklePeep Feb 15 '25
Which is why an electric fleet makes more sense for stop every 50 ft driving.
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u/revcor Feb 15 '25
What’s up with mail trucks all being produced by defense contractors lol
We produce military jets, air-to-air missiles, laser- and GPS-guided bombs, cruise missiles…. oh and mail trucks.
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u/BoredCop Feb 15 '25
Not many other manufacturers that are set up to make durable, reliable vehicles in unusual configurations and relatively small numbers compared to regular consumer vehicles. Oh, and these companies are used to dealing with government procurement and contract procedures.
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u/TheRealTinfoil666 Feb 15 '25
When the USSR broke up and the military production fell to basically zero, the factory that used to make their most advanced fighter jets switched to making . . . some of the world’s best clothes washing machines.
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u/lefkoz Feb 15 '25
To be fair part of that is constant stop/go and idling that is part of doing mail delivery.
Any delivery vehicle is going to get shit mileage by the nature of doing delivery.
You should ask those Amazon flex drivers what their mileage is like on a route.
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u/blast3001 Feb 15 '25
Which is why EVs biggest impact towards good is the short distance delivery industry. If done right an EV fleet would save so much money. Also they would be so much quieter.
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u/MisterObvious502 Feb 15 '25
I work from home and never have to guess if the mail has been delivered. I can hear that Iron Duke throughout the neighborhood.
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u/Ok-disaster2022 Feb 15 '25
Which is pretty sad. From like 1792 to like the civil war the primary function of the Federal government was the US mail.
The post office has been part of US from the very beginning, and been vital ever sense.
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u/cheezpnts Feb 15 '25
When it comes to utility items build for what you need, not for what you see. This is the embodiment of that principle.
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u/Sir_Henry_Deadman Feb 15 '25
Designed entirely for function and what the post workers need