Military trains in Coniston for Arctic expedition with FAT TRUCK®

Zeal Motor, the leading OEM manufacturer of the FAT TRUCK® off-road industrial vehicles, proudly stands with the citizens of the States affected by the recent hurricanes. We extend our deepest sympathies to the communities impacted by these disasters, and we are honored by the dedication and innovation shown by our team and partners in support of relief efforts.

Zeal Motor Inc., the manufacturer of the renowned FAT TRUCK®, is highlighting a new innovation developed by one of its dealers, Sudbury-based RufDiamond, in partnership with Cambrian College. The two organizations have developed a deployable lifting platform for the FAT TRUCK® that is now supporting wildfire response efforts in Northwestern Ontario. The platform allows a FAT TRUCK® to carry a payload of up to 2,200 pounds into locations with no road access, lift the platform off the vehicle, drive out from underneath, and lower the load to the ground — solving a persistent challenge in remote deployment: unloading cargo without cranes or other lifting equipment on site. The technology has moved quickly from concept to active field use. As of a July 2026 press conference at Cambrian College, the unit was confirmed for deployment to the wildfire crisis in Northwestern Ontario. "Without Cambrian, this would be factored under a plausible option — potential, maybe one day," said Daryl Adams, president of RufDiamond, of the platform's development. The project recently received $150,000 in funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), supporting further use of advanced materials and structural optimization to make the lifting system lighter and more energy-efficient. The same funding will also support a custom drag-behind toboggan for transporting supplies across Arctic terrain. Including RufDiamond's own cash and in-kind contributions, the total value of the two-year project is $227,500.

Article in French: "Le retour de Donald Trump à la Maison-Blanche ravive le dossier du renforcement de la sécurité de l’immense frontière entre le Canada et les États-Unis. Une tâche colossale qui nécessite des équipements de pointe polyvalents. En plein la cible de Zeal Motor.

Fat Truck was featured in CBC News coverage of MSPO 2026, the International Defence Industry Exhibition in Kielce, Poland, where Canada served as lead nation for the first time in the show's 34-year history. Canada's delegation included more than 230 companies and associations and nearly 500 delegates, part of a national effort to grow the country's defence exports to Europe. These exports currently amount to around 11% of Canadian defence exports, compared to roughly 63% going to the U.S., following Canada's entry into the EU's SAFE defence financing program and the launch of its first Defence Industrial Strategy earlier in 2026.

When floodwaters hit the communities of Swan River and Minitonas, Manitoba, the FAT TRUCK® was there when it mattered most. The Manitoba RCMP Search and Rescue team deployed the FAT TRUCK® as part of their flood relief operations, working alongside partners to assist those impacted and help keep everyone safe. The images speak for themselves — navigating washed-out terrain and flooded areas that would stop any conventional vehicle in its tracks, the FAT TRUCK® proved once again why it is the go-to amphibious utility vehicle for flood rescue and emergency response. We are thrilled to see the FAT TRUCK® serving on the front lines and helping protect communities across Canada.

Hydro One crews successfully restored power to thousands of customers, thanks in part to the exceptional capabilities of the FAT TRUCK®. This versatile vehicle proved invaluable for navigating through heavy snow and winter storms, ensuring both the safety of the crews and their ability to efficiently perform critical restoration work.