CPQ for Specialty Vehicle Manufacturing: Everything You Need to Know

This blog post discussed the specialty vehicle manufacturers and their requirements from CPQ (Configure Price Quote) software. First, it will discuss the meaning of specialty vehicle manufacturers and common specialty vehicle industries, then how CPQ software works for those manufacturers.

What is specialty vehicle manufacturing?

Specialty vehicle manufacturing involves the creation and design of vehicles intended for specific functions beyond regular consumer transport. This category includes vehicles like fire trucks, ambulances, police cars, buses, construction equipment, farm tractors, delivery trucks, and luxurious recreational vehicles (RVs). Unlike standard cars that are produced in large quantities, these vehicles need substantial customization to meet distinct operational, safety, or comfort needs. Clients often seek personalized features such as engine types, seating arrangements, transmission systems, equipment installations, and other crucial components.

Industries That Rely on Specialty Vehicle Manufacturing

  • Emergency Services: Fire trucks, ambulances, rescue vehicles, police fleets.

  • Municipal & Government: Snowplows, utility service trucks, waste collection, military and defense vehicles.

  • Passenger Transport: School buses, city buses, shuttle vans, paratransit vehicles.

  • Commercial & Industrial: Construction equipment, agricultural tractors, mining vehicles, heavy-duty trucks.

  • Logistics & Delivery: Refrigerated trucks, fuel tankers, postal vans, trailers.

  • Healthcare & Mobile Services: Mobile clinics, blood donation vans, veterinary units.

  • Recreational & Luxury: RVs, camper vans, tour buses, off-road specialty vehicles.

These sectors share one challenge: the demand for high levels of customization, often with compliance and safety regulations to match.

What is CPQ for Specialty Vehicle Manufacturing?

CPQ (Configure-Price-Quote) software is a digital tool that streamlines the process of configuring, pricing, and quoting customized specialty vehicles. For manufacturers, distributors, and dealers, CPQ enables faster, more accurate, and visually engaging interactions with customers—reducing errors, eliminating guesswork, and ensuring profitable orders. With Infor CPQ, specialty vehicle manufacturers can handle the growing demand for customization while maintaining efficiency, compliance, and margins.

How CPQ Software Works for Specialty Vehicles?

Automated Configuration

CPQ employs rules-based engines to assist both customers and sales representatives during the configuration process. This guarantees that only viable, compliant, and technically sound options are chosen. For instance, an order for a fire truck might involve selecting pump sizes, hose compartments, and ladder lengths, all validated in real time to avoid mistakes.

Real-Time Pricing

As different configurations are chosen, CPQ calculates the pricing in real time. This takes into account material expenses, additional features, dealer profits, and discounts. Manufacturers can immediately see their margins, while customers benefit from clear, up-to-date pricing, which reduces negotiation time and prevents unexpected costs.

Accurate Quoting

CPQ automatically produces custom, professional quotes that clearly outline all technical specifications and options. These quotes can include bills of materials (BOMs), routing information, and production notes, ensuring that municipalities, fleet purchasers, or private clients receive consistent, error-free documentation.

Visual Configuration

Infor CPQ includes interactive 2D and 3D visual representations of the configured vehicles. Buyers can visualize seating arrangements, engine selections, or trailer sizes before making a final decision. This visual aid enhances buyer confidence, eases the decision-making process, and facilitates funding approvals for government or corporate fleets.

Integration with Existing ERP and CRM Systems

CPQ software should easily connects with ERP, CRM, and CAD systems. This consolidation of product knowledge, pricing standards, and engineering data offers manufacturers improved visibility across quoting, demand planning, and production, while reducing duplicated data entry and minimizing errors.

Regulatory Compliance

Specialty vehicles are often subject to stringent compliance requirements related to safety (such as fire, medical, and law enforcement), emissions, and transport regulations. CPQ ensures that every configured option adheres to these compliance standards, mitigating risks for manufacturers and assuring customers that their vehicles will meet inspections and certification processes without delays.

The complexity of specialty vehicle manufacturing is increasing due to customer demands for extensive customization. Infor CPQ allows manufacturers to produce personalized vehicles more quickly, accurately, and profitably while improving the buying process through automation, visualization, and system integration.

Learn How Infor CPQ Capabilities Specialty Vehicle Manufacturers