Daimler executives clarify, discuss strategies
At the IAA 2014 truck show in Hannover, Germany, this week, Dr. Wolfgang Bernard discussed Daimler‘s global market strategies for truck sales and company profitability. He noted that the NAFTA markets since 2013 to the present have had an 8% increase in truck sales. He predicted truck sales in this sector would likely top out
Growing demand for reman
Before-and-after-the-sale support has never been more sought after and even more demanded by fleet operators. Their goals for remanufactured components are high quality, lower price, strong unlimited national warranty and fast availability of the exact component model needed for a repair or replacement. “We fully recognize truck operators’ requirements for remanufactured components: They must cost
DTNA celebrates vehicle production milestone
Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) commemorated the production of its 3,000,000th vehicle in North America with a delivery of a Freightliner Cascadia Evolution to representatives from Schneider at DTNA’s manufacturing facility in Cleveland, N.C. “Daimler Trucks North America is committed to pacing the industry in terms of engineering and manufacturing excellence, as well as production
Detroit Virtual Technician achieves 100,000th installation
Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) celebrated the 100,000th installation of its proprietary Detroit Virtual Technician remote diagnostic system. Since its launch in 2011, Detroit’s Customer Support Center has personally assisted more than 13,000 customers with actionable and detailed service recommendations, said the company. Virtual Technician reduces downtime and decreases maintenance costs by providing a technical
DTNA recognizes manufacturers as ‘Masters of Quality’
Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) has recognized 59 North American manufacturers from the U.S., Canada and Mexico as recipients of its highest award for suppliers: the 2013 Masters of Quality Supplier Award. The selected suppliers provide top quality components for Freightliner and Western Star truck brands. The annual program—now in its 27th year—recognizes outstanding suppliers
DTNA breaks ground at new headquarters site in Portland
Daimler Trucks North America broke ground at the site of its new headquarters building on Swan Island in Portland, Ore., on Friday, July 18. New construction will begin immediately on the new headquarters building. Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber and City of Portland Mayor Charlie Hales were on hand to join the celebration. “With our roots
Mercedes-Benz Future Truck 2025 on the road today
Recently, Mercedes-Benz Future Truck 2025 prototype was debuted in Germany. It is an autonomous semi that drives itself—but is not a “driver-less” vehicle. The demonstration truck had a number of proprietary technologies, some of which are available today that will change the way vehicles are driven in the future. According to Dr. Wolfgang Bernhard, member
Daimler Trucks North America launches parts e-commerce platform
Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) launched Pinnacle Truck Parts, an e-commerce platform that facilitates transactions between customers and DTNA’s parts and service network. According to DTNA, Pinnacle Truck Parts was created to deliver uptime by simplifying and expediting the parts ordering process. Through Pinnacle Truck Parts, customers have visibility to parts availability and pricing at their local
Weighing fifth wheel options to spec a lighter-weight truck
When fleets spec lighter-weight components, it’s generally an attempt to offset increases in weight in other areas of the vehicle and/or increase their payload capacity. As a result, the savings in fuel comes in improved efficiency in the operation of the fleet—greater cargo capacity equals revenue per trip and more capacity may even mean less
Daimler Trucks North America achieves SuperTruck efficiency targets
Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) announced that it has realized the objectives of its SuperTruck program one year ahead of schedule. Sponsored by the Department of Energy (DOE), the SuperTruck program is an ambitious five-year research and development initiative focused on improving freight efficiency, reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions of Class 8 trucks. Including
Detroit Connect wins Best Telematics Solution from Telematics Update
Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) announced that Detroit Connect received the Best Telematics Service or Solutions for Commercial Vehicles award from Telematics Update. This award recognizes brands that have developed exceptional telematic solutions for a variety of commercial vehicles. More than 400 nominations were received for the 2014 Telematics Update Awards from around the world, and the
New and used truck sales are up
ACT Research reported that used Class 8 trucks sales rose in March, 8% above February’s volume. According to Steve Tam, vice president-commercial vehicle sector with ACT, “The volume gain was expected, since sales usually gain through March or April before slowing for the summer months.” Healthy used truck sales have usually been a reliable indicator
