Five truck trend takeaways from September

Five truck trend takeaways from September

We know it’s not easy to keep up with everything that happens in the world of trucking. So here are the biggest stories from September focused on the latest truck trends, all in one place.

Kenworth-T680

We know it’s not easy to keep up with everything that happens in the world of trucking. So here are the biggest stories from September focused on the latest truck trends, all in one place.

5. Today’s truck technologies are more connected than you know

Driver-assistance systems. Predictive maintenance capabilities. Remote diagnostics. Truck telematics. Taken separately, the latest truck technology can seem like options that can help improve fuel efficiency and safety, and reduce downtime—and this is true, but take a step back and look at the big picture. It’s the data that’s streaming off of your trucks working in concert with advanced automated driving technology (i.e. driver assistance systems) that will make a deeper level of automated truck operation a reality.

Editor Jason Morgan goes over the many uses of truck data, and the way it’s all connected to your fleet operation, here.

4. Battery technology is evolving; here’s the proof

“Lost in the discussion of electrification, Lithium Ion batteries and Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) batteries is the fact that most diesel truck fleets are still using the industry standard flooded lead acid batteries. All OEMs are still using this traditional battery technology as standard, and fleet managers still hold batteries as one of the top factors in downtime and increased maintenance.”

Jason Morgan goes through the issues fleets often have with traditional batteries, and the emerging options that are out there, here.

3. LEDs are lighting the way for today’s fleets

“Today’s LED lights use only 10% to 30% of the amps needed to illuminate incandescent lamps for many applications. With the lighting drawing significantly less power, the surplus energy can be used for other electrical equipment needs. For this reason, industry experts say that LEDs are the predominant light source for most, if not all, fleet lighting applications from headlights to trailer lighting.”

Contributor Brendan Baker goes through the benefits of LED lighting for fleets here,

2. Fleets are weighing the pros and cons of driver-facing cameras

An increasing number of fleets are spec’ing video telematics, which often include a driver-facing cameras. This has its benefits, including avoiding costly litigation fees and giving the fleet the ability to coach driver behavior; but it has its downsides too, as drivers often bristle at the idea of a camera watching them. Naturally, there’s some debate over whether taking advantage of this technology is worth it—even among the suppliers of video telematics themselves. We go through the pros and cons of driver-facing cameras here.

1. Visions of the Future: Kenworth’s Mike Dozier weighs in on today’s truck equipment trends

For this month’s cover story, we sat down with Mike Dozier, Kenworth general manager and PACCAR vice president, for a talk on all things related to the future of trucking, including hydrogen power, electrification, and Kenworth’s strategy to meet a wide pool of customer applications.

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Class 8 orders strong in February

Even when seasonally adjusted, ACT says preliminary order numbers for February are up 5% over January.

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According to the latest numbers from ACT Research, preliminary North America Class 8 net orders were 27,700 units, up 600 units from January and 16% from a year ago. With the fourth-largest seasonal factor of the year at 8%, seasonal adjustment reduces February’s Class 8 intake to 25,600 units, up 5% from January.

“Weak freight and carrier profitability fundamentals, and large carriers guiding to lower capex in 2024, would imply pressure in U.S. tractor, the North American Class 8 market’s largest segment,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT’s president and senior analyst. “While we do not yet have the underlying detail for February order volumes, Class 8 demand continuing at high levels again this month suggests that U.S. buyers continue as strong market participants.”

Freightliner M2, SD Plus Series launch updates its medium-duty truck offering

Freightliner introduced the new Plus Series–enhanced versions of its M2 and SD models, including the M2 106 Plus, M2 112 Plus, 108SD Plus, and 114SD Plus. The enhanced models provide a major update to the interior and electrical systems of the M2 and SD models. The OEM noted that the Plus Series is designed to

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Truck cruise control technology that looks at the road ahead

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Peterbilt GM Jason Skoog charts today’s truck support, tomorrow’s truck solutions

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Kenworth delivers 15-liter natural gas-powered truck to UPS

The truck is equipped with the Cummins X15N, which Kenworth says will meet CARB and EPA Requirements for both 2024 and 2027.

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ACT Research: 2024 could see trucking recovery

Despite trucking demand remaining weak, ACT Research says imports and international data indicate positive trends in 2024.

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Navistar progressing toward autonomous hub-to-hub transport

Autonomous truck testing is underway, and the company expects customer pilots to be delivered later this year.

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FTR Trucking Conditions Index falls in December

FTR says the drop was mostly due to higher capital cost and a deterioration in freight rates, a trend that could stretch into 2024.

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