What’s in it for fleets spec’ing the latest in driver comfort options?
How can fleets measure the value of driver comfort options? According to truck manufacturers, it starts by listening to your drivers and measuring the impact of your choices on recruitment efforts and retention success. “Quantitatively, fleets can measure the impact of comfort and convenience items through metrics like driver retention, driver health and recruiting efforts,”
Daimler Trucks N.A. appoints new chief engineer of product validation engineering
Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) has named Randy DeBortoli as chief engineer of product validation engineering, where he will steer the strategic development of Freightliner and Western Star trucks. DeBortoli has been with DTNA for almost 30 years. Recently, DeBortoli served as the chief engineer of chassis and vocational engineering, playing an instrumental role in
PPG Delfleet One paint system approved by Daimler Trucks North America
Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) has approved the PPG Defleet One paint system for warranty and aftermarket repairs on its Freightliner and Western Star trucks. As an integrated system of undercoats, topcoats and clearcoats, the company says the PPG Delfleet One paint system was developed to meet the color-matching and productivity needs of aftermarket users.
Hands on with the Western Star 49X
Rolling loads through a quarry, traversing the job site and tackling the rough and tumble landscape of Oregon’s high desert, the new Western Star 49X worked with confidence. The OEM put its new truck in the hands of trucking trade journalists and let us put it through its paces. Watch the video above as we
Podcast: Choosing the right engine and transmission for vocational fleets
Western Star Trucks recently made news with the launch of its 49X vocational truck and DT12 Vocational series transmission, the first products launched since Daimler Trucks North America reorganized its business into on-highway and vocational segments. Both the truck and the transmission were made specifically for vocational applications, a demanding area of the trucking industry
Designing a vocational frame to stand up to heavy vocational demands
At the end of September, Western Star introduced its new 49X vocational truck built from the ground up—and that included re-thinking the chassis. According to Samantha Parlier, DTNA’s vice president of vocational market development, the truck is underpinned by a stronger, lighter chassis and equipped with a new X-series cab. She says the design of
Five truck trend takeaways from October
Here are the biggest stories from October focused on the latest truck trends, all in one place.
Where you see DTNA’s renewed vocational focus in the Western Star 49X
When Daimler Trucks North America announced that it was reorganizing its entire organization to focus more on the application (on-highway; vocational) vs. brand (Freightliner; Western Star), the big question was: Where will we see this in the product? We now have the answer in the Western Star 49X. Fleet Equipment sat down with the Western
Hendrickson suspensions available on Western Star 49X
Hendrickson Truck Commercial Vehicle Systems has partnered with Western Star Trucks to offer a premium rear suspension portfolio as a part of the chassis enhancements of the Western Star 49X. The suspension offerings include the introduction of Haulmaax EX and the expansion of Ultimaax and Primaax EX on the new Western Star truck. “Customers today
Detroit announces new DT12 Vocational series transmission in the Western Star 49X
As part of the launch of the new Western Star 49X, Daimler Trucks North America debuted the Detroit DT12 Vocational series of automated manual transmissions. Available as either the DT12-V or the DT12-VX and rated up to a GCWR of 330,000 lbs, the DT12 Vocational series was validated in over 35 million miles of testing
Western Star unveils next-gen 49X vocational truck
Western Star introduced the 49X, its next-generation vocational truck. Underpinned by a stronger, lighter chassis and equipped with a new X-series cab, the 49X sports the new Detroit DT12 Vocational series of transmissions and Detroit Assurance suite of safety systems. “A vocational truck is a tool for a job,” said David Carson, senior vice president
DTNA selects FleetNet as new Roadside Assistance partner
Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) has introduced new roadside assistance programs for both Freightliner and Western Star customers. Under the new programs, DTNA will utilize FleetNet America to provide emergency roadside assistance services, including towing and recovery, mobile truck repair, tire repair and more. The new programs are designed to give Freightliner and Western Star
