Meritor Inc.’s aftermarket team unveiled mobile training with two training trucks during Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week (HDAW) 2014 that will deliver onsite product and systems education to warehouse distributors, independent service garages and fleets in the U.S. and Canada.
According to the company, each of the Nissan high-roof NV3500 trucks, wrapped in Meritor trailer decals, will offer hands-on training to service managers, shop supervisors, service technicians, maintenance directors, drivers and dealer-fleet trainers for drivetrain and undercarriage aftermarket components.
“We’ve been hearing loud and clear that our customers—the warehouse distributors, OE dealers and fleets—want more product education,” said Rick Martin, senior manager, aftermarket training, Meritor. “During the first 12 months, training will focus on braking systems, which will help the industry manage through changes and new demands.”
The vehicle displayed in Meritor’s booth at HDAW 2014 will begin brief training sessions at customer locations after the show concludes. The second vehicle has already begun its scheduled visits to customers.
Meritor expects its training efforts to play a key role in contributing to fleets’ safety records. The mobile training trucks will deliver instructor-led training on brakes and brake systems during 2014. A training schedule will be released in early February.
Training will cover regulations established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The curriculum will include an overview of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS 121) stopping distance requirements, reduced stopping distance regulations and the new compliance and safety accountability (CSA) structure.
Both trucks are equipped with video monitors and working air systems boards, as well as actual brake hardware. For hands-on training purposes, each van will have actual cam and air disc brake hardware, friction and wheel ends, air valves, air dryers, Meritor WABCO RSS stability control systems, electronic diagnostics, automatic traction control, anti-lock brakes and collision mitigation systems.
The company will offer two styles of training sessions:
- City-wide training with two three-hour sessions covering eight distinct brake subjects at hotels in select major cities, conducted by Rick Martin.
- One-on-one clinics at fleets, dealerships and warehouse distributor locations across the U.S. and Canada, conducted by DriveForce district manager.
In addition to customer care centers in Brampton, Ontario and Florence, Ky., Meritor offers after-the-sale support through www.meritorpartsonline.com, comprehensive parts catalogs, online learning management system training, warranty support, order-tracking, and the Real Deal support services.
