Mack begins production of all-new Anthem
Mack Trucks has begun production on the all-new Mack Anthem, a fully redesigned Class 8 truck engineered specifically for regional-haul applications. Built at Mack’s Lehigh Valley Operations plant in Macungie, Pennsylvania, the new Anthem is designed to help fleets manage fuel costs, improve maneuverability in tight operating environments, and support uptime through expanded connectivity and diagnostics. The OEM has invested $405 million within the past decade to prepare for production of the Anthem and other Class 8 vehicles in Mack’s portfolio.
“Starting production on the all-new Anthem marks a significant milestone for Mack and for the regional-haul segment,” said Jonathan Randall, president of Mack Trucks North America. “This truck delivers improvements in every area that matters to our customers’ businesses: fuel efficiency, maneuverability, driver comfort, safety, connectivity and uptime. The Anthem truly is the new standard in regional haul.”
A major design change is the Anthem’s shorter 113.5" bumper-to-back-of-cab (BBC) measurement, which improves turning radius and makes the truck easier to operate in urban delivery routes and confined yards. The redesigned hood improves forward visibility by about 12% compared to the previous model, while weight reductions from the shorter BBC can allow for increased payload.
Fuel efficiency is another key focus. Mack reports up to a 10% improvement in fuel economy versus the prior Anthem, translating to an estimated $5,000 per truck annually. The MP13 engine, which is rated up to 515 hp and 1,950 lb.-ft. of torque, features a redesigned wave piston and combustion system that accounts for roughly 3% of the gain. Aerodynamic updates, including a wedge-shaped cab design, contribute the remaining improvement. The upgraded mDRIVE automated manual transmission, available in 12-, 13-, and 14-speed configurations, offers faster shift times and adaptive drive modes to balance fuel economy and performance.
Inside the cab, Mack expanded width by 9" and redesigned seating and sleeper options to improve driver comfort and retention. Day cab, 44" sleeper, and 64" sleeper configurations are available, with options including ventilated and heated seats, premium mattresses, and blackout curtains. Suspension updates are intended to deliver a smoother, more car-like ride.
From a maintenance and uptime perspective, the Anthem includes Mack’s Integrated Uptime bundle at no cost for five years, combining GuardDog Connect diagnostics, over-the-air software updates, and Mack Connect telematics for real-time vehicle health, location, and performance data.
The all-new Mack Anthem is now in production and available for order at Mack dealers nationwide. Customers can explore the Anthem through Mack's Live Tour experiential platform, which provides personalized, live virtual tours with dedicated product specialists, or customize their truck using the Mack Truck Builder at macktrucks.com.
