2026 Commercial Trucks and Vans: What’s New from Ford, GM, and Ram

The 2026 model year brings incremental but notable changes across the commercial vehicle landscape. While no major platform overhauls have been announced, manufacturers are refining existing models with updated trims, expanded tech packages, and strategic powertrain adjustments. This report covers updates to light-duty pickups, medium-duty trucks, and commercial vans from General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis/Ram.

Sierra EV, Ultium, HYDROTEC Updates for 2026

Light-Duty Trucks: GMC expands its Sierra EV lineup with new trims including Elevation, AT4, and Denali. The 2026 Sierra EV introduces bidirectional charging, a midgate passthrough for extended cargo flexibility, and three battery size options. Chevrolet’s Silverado 1500 continues with minor tech updates but no major redesign.

Medium-Duty Trucks: The Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD remain unchanged for 2026. GM’s medium-duty alt-fuel effort is marked by the announcement of the discontinuation of its HYDROTEC hydrogen fuel cell technology.

Vans: The Chevrolet Express vans, 3500 and 4500, continue in production with gas-only powertrains: a 4.3L V6 and a 6.6L V8. No EV or hybrid variant has been announced.

Ford Super-Duty, F-650, F-750, Transit Updates for 2026

Light-Duty Trucks: Production of the F-150 Lightning has been officially halted, with Ford reps citing a devastating fire at their major aluminum supplier’s plant. Industry experts suggest that flagging Lightning sales may contribute to the possibility of a more permanent shutdown of Ford’s flagship EV pickup. The Super Duty lineup (F-250 to F-550) gains new appearance and towing packages, including the Tremor Off-Road Package, now available with diesel engines. Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) are now standard across all models. Super Duty trim changes will also see the XLT and Lariat packages coming with 4X2 as standard equipment rather than 4X4.

Medium-Duty Trucks: Ford’s F-600 through -750 continue with GVWR ratings ranging from 22,000 to 37,000 lbs. Optional driver-assist packages include Pre-Collision Assist, Lane-Keeping Alert, and Adaptive Cruise Control. Traction control is now standard. Models are available in Regular Cab, SuperCab, and Crew Cab configurations.

Vans: The 2026 Ford Transit receives Sync 4 infotainment, a standard 12-inch touchscreen, and over-the-air update capability via Ford’s Fully Networked Vehicle architecture. Ford CoPilot 360 is now standard across all trims, and Ford Telematics is available for fleet users seeking real-time diagnostics and tracking.

Ram Hemi, HO Cummins, Extended Warranty Updates for 2026

Light-Duty Trucks: The Ram 1500 and 2500 reintroduce the 5.7L HEMI V8 with eTorque hybrid technology. This powertrain is available across Tradesman, Big Horn, Laramie, Rebel, Limited, and Longhorn trims. Towing capacity reaches up to 11,320 lbs.

Medium-Duty Trucks: Ram 3500 and 4500 models offer a high-output Cummins diesel engine rated at 430 hp and 1,075 lb-ft of torque. New trims include the Black Express and Warlock packages. Chassis cab models are now covered under a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, a significant expansion from previous coverage.

2026 Commercial Vehicle Updates: Key Takeaways for Fleet Owners

Across the board, OEMs have announced refinements of existing platforms rather than launching new ones. Electrification continues to expand in vans and pickups, while medium-duty EVs remain in development. Warranty extensions and tech upgrades signal a growing emphasis on long-term ownership and operational efficiency. For small fleet owners and independent operators, these updates offer clearer expectations for the road ahead.

References

1. General Motors Fleet Newsroom
   Updates on Sierra EV trims, and medium-duty development plans
   GM News
   GM News
2. Ford Media Center
   Model year 2026 announcements for F-Series, Transit, and medium-duty platforms
   Ford Authority
   Ford Media
3. Ram Trucks Official Site & Stellantis Fleet Portal
   Details on Ram 1500, 2500/3500, and warranty changes
   Ram Trucks
   Stellantis Fleet Portal
   Fleet Insights
4. Automotive News & FleetOwner Magazine
   Reporting on OEM strategy shifts, EV timelines, and commercial segment trends
   Automotive News
   FleetOwner
5. EPA & NHTSA Regulatory Updates
   Background on emissions compliance and safety feature mandates
   EPA
   NHTSA