Ask Detroit: A live conversation about vocational powertrain technology
From automated transmissions to advanced safety systems, intelligent powertrain technology has rolled onto vocational jobsites, but how does technology tackle hyper-specific vocational tasks? What’s the best use of powertrain data in applications like construction, utility, logging and more? The Detroit powertrain team takes the hot seats to answer these questions and more during Fleet Equipment’s
Detroit adds new safety features to Detroit Assurance
Available for the Freightliner Cascadia and the Western Star 49X spec’d with a Detroit powertrain, the new Detroit Assurance features reduce driver strain and fatigue and can help reduce speed-related accidents. Here are the features. Active Speed Intervention (ASI) If the truck exceeds the posted speed limit, ASI issues visual and auditory warnings to actively
Right here, right now: Busting three myths about remote diagnostics
Here’s a riddle for you: If time is money and timing is everything, what would it mean to your fleet to save a big ol’ sack full of cash on truck maintenance? In the words of the Red Rocker himself, Sammy Hagar, on Van Halen’s 1991 hit Right Now: “It means everything.” That is what
Detroit DD13 Gen 5 engine offers uptime-focused features for vocational and on-highway
The Detroit DD13 engine is now available with new features and power ratings with changes to the engine focused on efficiency, robustness and thermal management, all of which contribute to a low total cost of ownership (TCO) and maximum uptime, according to the manufacturer. As such, the 13-liter DD13 is suited for both on-highway and
Talking new aftertreatment systems, electric trucks and vocational demand
The Western Star 49X was the first glimpse of Daimler Trucks North America’s (DTNA) renewed focus on vocational workhorses, and now DTNA’s newly appointed Chief Engineer, Chassis and Vocational Engineering, Tracy Mack-Askew is ready to lead the charge into the next generation of vocational truck development, but there’s no shortage of challenges for vocational truck
Daimler Trucks NA launches Detroit eConsulting, Detroit eFill Chargers
Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) has announced new products and services from Detroit to support fleets and customers in the deployment of all-electric trucks. Detroit eConsulting services provide experienced know-how to fleets and are offered in three varying levels of support, DTNA says. Similarly, the Detroit eFill line of electric commercial vehicle chargers provide an
Time is money: The benefits of over-the-air updates
You’ve heard all the sayings: time is money; time is our most precious resource; a stitch in time saves nine (though to be honest I have no idea what that last one means). These are all cliches, but they became that way because they are all true—with such tight delivery schedules and profit margins that
The future of over-the-air engine updates
You’ve read all about the latest over-the-air engine update offerings (and if you haven’t, you can check out that story here). And you may be wondering, what’s next for OTA? FE’s interviewed experts suggested that upcoming innovations will focus on making the software changes more dynamic, reducing the need for downtime when updating, and giving
How to get maximum fuel efficiency from your truck engine and transmission
Integrated powertrains can offer multiple advantages to fleets compared to a traditional manual and legacy automated transmission-based systems, noted Kristopher Ptasznik, powertrain total cost of ownership and consultancy leader at Cummins. “Traditionally, drivers can account for up to a 30% difference in a fleet’s fuel economy,” Ptasznik said. “By making it easier to operate the
Daimler Trucks N.A. appoints Stefan Kürschner as CFO
Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) has appointed Stefan Kürschner to the role of chief financial officer. Kürschner’s appointment to CFO is effective May 1. He will retain his role as a member of DTNA’s eight-member operating committee and report to Jochen Götz, executive vice president, finance and controlling at Daimler Trucks and Buses. A replacement
Daimler Trucks N.A. gives details on Detroit e-Powertrain, $20M manufacturing investment
Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) has announced the proprietary Detroit ePowertrain to power the upcoming Freightliner eCascadia and Freightliner eM2. The company says it is part of Daimler Trucks’ global platform strategy to establish a uniform basic architecture for its line-up of battery-electric vehicles. Initially, the Detroit ePowertrain will offer an eAxle design operating at
Truck transmissions have evolved: Here’s where they’re going next
Automated manual transmission (AMT) and automatic transmission manufacturers are crushing assumptions and setting new expectations in all trucking industry applications. Automatic transmissions are getting smarter and, in the AMT world, gone are the days of clunky, reverse-engineered AMTs. Today’s AMTs are, as PACCAR Vice President Landon Sproull put it, “purpose built.” “The gearing—overall ratio and
