Model 1 Commercial Vehicles Expands Work Truck Portfolio with Morgan Olson Kestrel Platform

INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Model 1 Commercial Vehicles today announced plans to expand its work truck portfolio by introducing the newly developed Kestrel Work Truck from Morgan Olson. The vehicle will be showcased during Work Truck Week 2026.

Through its national sales and service network, Model 1 expects to provide customers access to the Kestrel platform along with integrated vocational upfitting, financing, and lifecycle support. The planned distribution relationship will expand Kestrel's availability to fleet customers across Model 1’s growing network of commercial vehicle centers.

The Kestrel Work Truck is a compact Class 2 platform built on the Jeep Gladiator® chassis and engineered to support fleet operations that require maneuverability, durability, and flexible upfit capability. Designed for skilled trades, utility, and service fleets, the vehicle offers four-wheel drive capability and configurable cargo storage systems suited for demanding job-site environments.

Model 1 also expects to provide cooperative purchasing access for eligible public-sector fleets through its recently awarded Sourcewell contract, providing municipalities, utilities, and other public agencies with a streamlined procurement pathway for Kestrel work trucks and vocational upfits.

“Model 1 has been working diligently with our manufacturing partners to develop a solution for a Class 2 compact vehicle that provides adequate cargo space and supports multiple use cases with flexible upfitting solutions,” said Sean Connolly, Vice President of Commercial Sales at Model 1. “The Kestrel, a vehicle designed and brought to market by Morgan Olson, provides our customers with a versatile new solution to immediately satisfy that need for this Class of vehicle in the commercial market. Model 1 has also confirmed this product will be available to be purchased through the Sourcewell contract.”

Operational efficiency is enhanced by Morgan Olson’s Ship-To production integration, which moves Jeep Gladiator units directly from the Toledo Assembly Complex to Morgan Olson for body installation and vocational upfitting through Model 1’s distribution network.

Combined with Model 1’s Sourcewell cooperative purchasing pathway, this streamlined production and logistics model simplifies and accelerates the fleet acquisition process.

“Morgan Olson continues to focus on delivering purpose-built solutions that meet the evolving needs of commercial fleets,” said Joe Rudolph, Vice President of Business Development with Morgan Olson. “The Kestrel expands our product portfolio with a highly capable, compact platform that can be configured for a wide range of vocational applications.”

The Kestrel Work Truck will be featured at Work Truck Week 2026 as part of Morgan Olson’s exhibit, where attendees can explore the vehicle’s cargo system design and potential vocational upfit configurations.

Additional information about the Kestrel, now available through Model 1, can be found at www.model1.com.

About Model 1 Commercial Vehicles

Model 1 Commercial Vehicles is the nation’s largest dealer of transit and commercial vehicles. Established in 1980 and headquartered in Indianapolis, Model 1 offers end-to-end solutions at over 20 locations across the U.S. Representing more than 20 top manufacturers, it provides a wide range of passenger and commercial inventory, including alternative-fuel options. The robust Model 1 lineup includes customizable new or used vehicles, expedited ship-through, nationwide parts and service, flexible in-house financing, rentals, and leasing.

About Morgan Olson

Morgan Olson is North America’s leading manufacturer of walk-in step vans and purpose-built work truck bodies, serving a wide range of customers across diverse delivery and service industries. Its comprehensive lineup spanning iconic step vans and advanced purpose-built truck bodies support parcel and home delivery, uniform and laundry services, baking and snack distribution, municipalities, telecommunications, utilities, and mobile food operations.

Nearly everything ordered online reaches businesses and homes across the country in a Morgan Olson built vehicle. With a commitment to quality, safety, and innovation, Morgan Olson continues to invest in state-of-the-art production facilities and advanced automation to build some of the most dependable and efficient work trucks on the market today.

Morgan Olson is a business unit of JB Poindexter and Co., Inc., a premier provider of commercial automotive and manufacturing goods and services.