# New post office vehicles unveiled **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 12, 2024, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-post-office-vehicles-unveiled/1007167 "2024-09-12T16:12:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2024, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-post-office-vehicles-unveiled/1007167/1 "2024-09-12T16:12:34Z")
I was a letter carrier for awhile. Exhausting work, especially driving one of those little tin cars. Hopefully the new ones work well-I give cautious credit to DeJoy for getting them on the streets. The article doesn’t have a picture, so [here you go](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oshkosh_NGDV). > **[USPS' long-awaited new mail truck makes its debut to rave reviews from carriers](https://keyt.com/news/2024/09/11/usps-long-awaited-new-mail-truck-makes-its-debut-to-rave-reviews-from-carriers/)** > > Associated Press ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — The Postal Service’s new delivery vehicles aren’t going to win a beauty contest. They're tall and ungainly. The ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2024, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-post-office-vehicles-unveiled/1007167/2 "2024-09-12T16:18:13Z")
Looks like they’ve prioritized function. Embedding image already linked to: [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/66/USPS_NGDV_at_CES.png) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/66/USPS_NGDV_at_CES.png) ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2024, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-post-office-vehicles-unveiled/1007167/3 "2024-09-12T16:42:35Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > they’ve prioritized function. Lol, well put. That is an unfortunate looking vehicle, though I’d be happy to test drive one or use for a job. I’ll bet there are a lot of well designed touches. Edit: that red reflection in the A pillar mirror is overly distracting. ---
**Author:** ![Lancia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lancia/32/17174_2.png) [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2024, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-post-office-vehicles-unveiled/1007167/4 "2024-09-12T16:45:14Z")
That is one fugly vehicle. I love it. [The wiki on it, FWIW.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oshkosh_NGDV) Interestingly, it will be available in both gasoline and electric versions, and with both RWD and AWD/4WD versions available. That may make rural mail delivery easier, assuming the USPS springs for the AWD version where it’s needed. This being the federal government, all bets are off on that. My local PO uses the newer Mercedes delivery vans rather than the old Grumman vans. I’d love to own a Grumman LLV, just for the quirkiness factor. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2024, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-post-office-vehicles-unveiled/1007167/5 "2024-09-12T18:06:36Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > Looks like they’ve prioritized function. Exactly. IIRC one of the design requirements was “good visibility out the front” (I’m sure expressed more precisely than that). Thus it has to have this giant windshield and low hood. And I suspect there were requirements for both cargo volume and maneuverability on city streets, thus a tall vehicle with a short wheelbase. ---
**Author:** ![Sauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Sauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sauron)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2024, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-post-office-vehicles-unveiled/1007167/6 "2024-09-12T18:14:47Z")
For some reason it makes me think of the Johnny Cab from _Total Recall_: [![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eu8cWaWXYAEK-Oo?format=jpg&name=900x900) ](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eu8cWaWXYAEK-Oo?format=jpg&name=900x900) ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2024, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-post-office-vehicles-unveiled/1007167/7 "2024-09-12T18:43:22Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > a tall vehicle I believe one of the requirements is a worker can stand straight while inside the back. Little things like that make it more comfortable and healthy for the workers. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2024, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-post-office-vehicles-unveiled/1007167/8 "2024-09-12T18:45:58Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > That is an unfortunate looking vehicle Yeah, I have the same gut reaction. But you know what other vehicles put function first? Military vehicles. It’s a different kind of beauty. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2024, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-post-office-vehicles-unveiled/1007167/9 "2024-09-12T19:54:59Z")
It’s cute, in an ungainly, bigheaded toddling way. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2024, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-post-office-vehicles-unveiled/1007167/10 "2024-09-12T20:11:32Z")
It is. It looks almost like a cartoon truck to me. In fact, it really reminds me of how the vehicles are drawn in Bob’s Burgers: [![](https://preview.redd.it/wxsidhj05ia21.jpg?width=1080&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=26d847b55a6bf9f29535e1adf1b3f41155edb993) ](https://preview.redd.it/wxsidhj05ia21.jpg?width=1080&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=26d847b55a6bf9f29535e1adf1b3f41155edb993) ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2024, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-post-office-vehicles-unveiled/1007167/11 "2024-09-12T20:28:50Z")
Tina? Tina, you have to turn the wheel. Tina? Tina! Turn the wheel to either side! TINAA! ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2024, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-post-office-vehicles-unveiled/1007167/12 "2024-09-12T20:33:33Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > Tina? Tina, you have to turn the wheel. Uhhhhhhhhhhh… ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2024, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-post-office-vehicles-unveiled/1007167/13 "2024-09-12T22:37:19Z")
It’s called the “Next Generation Delivery Vehicle”. What are they going to call the one that comes after it? I suppose “DS9 Delivery Vehicle” would satisfy a small segment of the population. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2024, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-post-office-vehicles-unveiled/1007167/14 "2024-09-13T01:06:27Z")
> [@Lancia](#): > > That may make rural mail delivery easier, assuming the USPS springs for the AWD version where it’s needed. This being the federal government, all bets are off on that. AWD would be useful for rural carriers, especially in the northern areas during winter. But many/most of them are contract carriers, who use their own vehicles rather than USPS trucks. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2024, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-post-office-vehicles-unveiled/1007167/15 "2024-09-13T01:08:25Z")
UPS also has a new droop nose. I have seen one and I think it was this model: > **[New UPS Trucks Are Lighter, Cheaper, Greener (No, Really)](https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1060660_new-ups-trucks-are-lighter-cheaper-greener-no-really)** > > A body made of lightweight composite panels, LED lighting, a high-efficiency four-cylinder diesel engine and easily-repaired molded fenders may sound like the ideal basis for a fuel-efficient commuter car, but in this case it’s the latest prototype... ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2024, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-post-office-vehicles-unveiled/1007167/16 "2024-09-13T01:09:55Z")
It makes sense in retrospect, but it had never occurred to me that the post office had their own breakdown vehicles to get the little mail cars off of the road. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2024, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-post-office-vehicles-unveiled/1007167/17 "2024-09-13T01:37:08Z")
And I think it looks like Dr. Finkelstein: [![Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/Ue1FbZD.jpeg "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/Ue1FbZD) ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2024, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-post-office-vehicles-unveiled/1007167/18 "2024-09-13T01:39:19Z")
I know two older USPS delivery folks and they are both happy to get rid of the old LLVs. They complain they are hot as shit, and well past end of life so those old sliding doors take effort to open and close. I doubt they care about the looks if they are more functional. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2024, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-post-office-vehicles-unveiled/1007167/19 "2024-09-13T01:46:15Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > Yeah, I have the same gut reaction. But you know what other vehicles put function first? Military vehicles. It’s a different kind of beauty. Speaking of military, [Wiki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oshkosh_NGDV) tells me the manufacturer of this knew vehicle is Oshkosh Defense. > [@jnglmassiv](#): > > It’s cute, in an ungainly, bigheaded toddling way. One of my mother’s favorite sayings was, “It’s so ugly, it’s cute”. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2024, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-post-office-vehicles-unveiled/1007167/20 "2024-09-13T04:52:08Z")
I think they look great. You can literally _see_ the design requirements and functional priorities. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-post-office-vehicles-unveiled/1007167.md?page=2)