Spec’ing for medium-duty applications
“Operators of medium-duty trucks have heavy-duty expectations,” says Kurt Swihart, Kenworth’s marketing manager. “Truck manufacturers are working to make it simpler for customers who want heavy-duty characteristics in traditional medium-duty applications. The challenge in spec’ing a medium-duty truck is to find the right balance between over- and under-spec’ing in order to achieve the performance and
Proper power: Medium-duty engines designed for medium-duty trucks
The medium-duty engine market continues to evolve and expand. By the end of this year, new Detroit DD5 and DD8 engines will be offered as part of the Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) product lineup. The Detroit DD5 medium-duty engine will be offered first, initially on 2016 Freightliner M2 models. Those engines will be built at first in
Fleet profile: Marten Transport meets challenges, changes the status quo
It’s one of the trucking industry’s best-known names, and for good reason. Since 1946, trucks sporting the Marten Transport logo have been traveling the highways hauling temperature-controlled goods. “Over the last several years, we’ve transformed our business from a primarily long-haul temperature control carrier to a multi-faceted temperature control carrier,” says David Meyer, the company’s
Peterbilt names its North American ‘Dealer of the Year’
Citing impressive growth in medium- and heavy-duty truck sales, parts and service growth, and the addition of three new locations, Peterbilt Motors Co. named The Larson Group its 2015 North American Dealer of the Year. “On behalf of everyone at The Larson Group Peterbilt, we are honored to receive Peterbilt’s highest dealer recognition,” said Glenn
Aftermarket brake friction: Know what you need and what you are getting
When replacing brake friction material, Dan Dunkleberger, Haldex Friction’s product manager, says that fleets “need to understand the application, duty-cycle and environment in which the vehicle in is performing. These three key things will give the end-user the necessary information needed to spec the correct friction material for the job. Application and duty-cycle are also
Peterbilt’s Denton plant celebrates 35 years
The end of 2015 marks the 35th anniversary of Peterbilt Motors Co.‘s Denton, Texas plant, which produced its first truck in 1980. “The value Peterbilt’s Denton plant has brought through the years to the company, our employees, customers, dealers and the community is immeasurable,” said Darrin Siver, a Peterbilt general manager and PACCAR vice president.
PacLease Network adds nine new franchise locations
PacLease has recently added nine new locations to its franchise network across the United States. With the new additions, PacLease now has more than 460 leasing and rental facilities throughout the United States and Canada. “We continue to expand domestically as well as in other countries, and the nine new locations in the U.S. further
Blue Flash Express breaks the driver turnover cycle
For Blue Flash Express Vice President of Operations Jason Aguillard it was about stopping a cycle—new trucks with the right specs would lower maintenance and fuel expenses, improve retention and cut the cost of recruiting and training drivers. “Now we have more money to increase pay for drivers, which further enhances the company as a
Matchmaking and downspeeding
Choosing an engine, transmission and axles that are specifically matched to work together for optimum performance is a fast emerging trend. When I say “optimum performance,” I mean maximum fuel efficiency with the right horsepower engines, coupled with an automated manual transmission that shifts at exactly the right RPM, and an axle with the best
Kenworth launches PremierCare Gold Certified support program
To increase its level of customer support, Kenworth Truck Co. has launched the new Kenworth PremierCare Gold Certified program. According to Jason Skoog, Kenworth’s assistant general manager for sales and marketing, trucks are not just bought through a single up-front acquisition transaction. “For our customers, a truck is a business solution. The ongoing service support that
