ALLENTOWN, Pa. — When celebrating its unparalleled history of manufacturing the world’s most dependable heavy trucks, Mack does not lack the knack.
The latest example will be on display at the New York International Auto Show April 18-27 at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City.
The company will exhibit the 100-year-old Mack AB model tractor, the first standardized high-volume Mack truck that was manufactured with a 30-horsepower, four-cylinder engine in Allentown from 1914 to 1936.
“The fact that the New York Auto Show and Mack share the 125-year anniversary proves our infatuation with the automotive industry.”Mack Museum Curator Doug Maney
The tractor display will exemplify the reliability of Mack-built vehicles at the auto show, which this year celebrates its — and Mack Trucks's — 125th anniversary.
“The fact that the New York Auto Show and Mack share the 125-year anniversary proves our infatuation with the automotive industry,” Mack Museum Curator Doug Maney said in a news release.
“As vehicles increased in popularity, their use expanded to require larger vehicles to transport goods. Mack led the way in the transition from light duty vehicles to heavy capacity trucks.“
Exemplifies durability
Mack opened its Allentown manufacturing site in 1905 and kept its headquarters there until 2009. The company still has a manufacturing site in Macungie, as well as an Allentown museum.
Mack has consistently been an innovator in the industry by offering industry-leading designs across all aspects of heavy-duty trucks.
The long list of patents issued to Mack through the years as incorporated into dependable, long-lasting vehicles have established their position as a world-renowned icon.
The Mack AB model, the first standardized high-volume Mack truck, at this year’s auto show was built in 1925, which exemplifies the dependability of Mack vehicles by celebrating its 100th anniversary of its introduction.
Produced between 1914 and 1936, the Mack AB model was equipped with a 30-horsepower four-cylinder engine.
Eventually, the engine was increased to 60 horsepower.
'Legendary in trucking industry'
On April 16, a news conference will be held in New York about Mack’s pioneering technologies throughout the years.
Mack also will unveil its newest innovation — the flagship Mack highway Class 8 vehicle — on April 8 in Brooklyn, New York, where the Mack brothers founded the company.
“In our 125 years, Mack has never rested on its laurels."Mack Trucks North America President Jonathan Randall
“Mack’s 125-year legacy is legendary in the trucking industry, and Mack is so proud to be one of the first companies to exhibit in the New York Auto Show,” Mack Trucks North America President Jonathan Randall said.
“In our 125 years, Mack has never rested on its laurels. We’ve continued to develop new technologies to advance the trucking industry, while also benefiting our customers.”
The first New York Auto Show opened in November 1900 to celebrate the “horseless carriage.”
That year, the automobile was primarily something the wealthy owned. But mass production changed all that, and between 1910 and 1920, the automobile became a necessity for the general public.
In 1904, Mack Trucks founders Gus and Jack Mack publicly displayed its first Mack Brothers bus — the Manhattan —during the annual Madison Square Garden automobile show.
The Manhattan drew outstanding reviews from the automotive press attending the show because of its stylish body and solid construction.
For more information about Mack, visit www.macktrucks.com.
