Hendrickson Bumper and Trim has unveiled a Hendrickson Aero Bright visor for Freightliner Business Class M2 medium-duty trucks. Available immediately, the visor comes as part of an optional factory-installed chrome package on extended crew cab and day cab configurations. The visor also will be available in the aftermarket and will be sold exclusively through Freightliner.
Hendricksons says the visor — which maximizes style, durability, aerodynamics and weight savings — matches the luster of available chrome options on the Freightliner Business Class M2, while its HAB material is resistant against UV rays, weather and corrosive materials. The lightweight design uses high-impact acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic and weatherable paint films with thick-sheet thermoforming technology to facilitate a lightweight product with durable performance.
Hendrickson works with Soliant LLC of Lancaster, S.C., to produce HAB mirror-finish bumper and trim components. The HAB film material, used in a variety of plastic substrates to provide a chrome finish comparable to chrome plating, delivers excellent impact performance and full recyclability, while yielding low emissions during manufacturing, according to Soliant; compared to chrome plating, the film used in HAB reduces the amount of volatile organic compounds, improves air quality and requires less energy and water, thus reducing its environmental impact.
Hendrickson says Aero Bright plays a double role in bringing a greener alternative to the heavy-duty trucking industry: Weight reduction remains a vital element for fleets and owner-operators trying to reduce fuel consumption, and this technology delivers a cleaner alternative to hexavalent chrome plating.
