WJRT12 News: UPS Testing New Truck in Mid-Michigan   LAPEER
COUNTY (WJRT) -- (06/13/11) -- With gas prices so high, the
United Parcel Service is testing a lighter, more fuel efficient
delivery truck in our area.  As ABC 12's Randy Conat reports,
apparently Mid-Michigan's rough roads are good for something.
UPS was looking for five "extreme locations" around the country
to evaluate its new light-weight composite vehicles. Mid-
Michigan was one of those selected.  "Mine's a high-mileage area
and a lot of country, dirt roads. That primarily is why they
picked this area so we can see on the really rough roads how
well it handles and how well it holds up," said UPS driver Phil
Bluthardt.   For the past month, this truck has been making
deliveries in Mid-Michigan. It weighs 1,000 pounds less than the
conventional UPS truck and has a smaller diesel engine.  "We're
looking to get 40 percent better fuel economy in this vehicle,"
said UPS fleet manager Ken Houck.   The plastic panels are dent-
resistant and there's no n