Geotab Launches GO8 LTE Telematics Device

Geotab has begun offering its GO8 telematics device with connectivity on 4G LTE networks, the telematics provider announced.

Like its predecessor, the new GO8 offers advanced GPS technology, G-force monitoring, Geotab IOX expandability, engine and battery health assessments, and in-vehicle audible driver coaching, according to Geotab.

"The speed, efficiency and connectivity of LTE offers fleet managers a telematics solution that they can depend on for years to come," said Neil Cawse, Geotab's CEO. "With the increasing demand for more sensors in more vehicles, the launch of the GO8 LTE ensures that Geotab's data continues to be highly reliable, accurate and a trusted source for smart city and connected vehicle planning. LTE is the technology of the future and is receiving very large scale investment by all carriers."

Geotab records more than 1.5 billion data points daily from its connected vehicles. Each data point is processed in the MyGeotab cloud-based software against pre-configured rules and notifications set by the customer.

This data analysis has provided further insights into traffic patterns and commercial fleet activity, including the impact of both hurricanes Harvey and Irma on vehicle fleet activity, as well as benchmarking fuel economy by state for trucks, according to Geotab.

Truck fleets use new Geotab Drive features, such as hosting data for truck driver hours of service (Cloud ELD) that pairs the vehicle with MyGeotab.

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Mitsubishi Fuso Starts Production of All-Electric eCanter Truck

Mitsubishi Fuso's all-electric eCanter truck has a daily range of approximately 60 miles, based on configuration.  Photo: Mitsubishi Fuso

Highlighting the evolving need for clean, quiet, dependable transportation in large urban centers, Mitsubishi Fuso today announced that it is beginning series production of its eCanter, all-electric truck.

The company, a division of Daimler-Benz, says the move makes the eCanter the first all-electric truck to go into full production worldwide. The truck is now being built at facilities in Japan and Europe, and is on sale now, according to Marc Llistosella, chief executive officer of Daimler Trucks Asia. “This truck is not a prototype,” Llistosella insisted at the press conference. “This truck is for sale and coming this year.”

According to Llistosella, the new eCanter truck has been undergoing extensive real world testing in both Germany and Portugal for the past two years. The company will conduct additional eCanter unveilings next month at the Tokyo Motor Show and before year's end in Berlin, reflecting the focus on the types of cities the truck was designed to work in. Citing the truck as a “gamer changer,” he said New York City expects to have 50 all-electric eCanters in service before the end of the year.

Llistosella said all-electric medium-duty eCanter is Daimler Trucks answer to the public's need for a zero-emission, zero-noise truck for inner-city distribution. The FUSO eCanter has a range of approximately 62 miles and a load capacity of two to three tons – depending on body and usage. The vehicle's electric powertrain contains six high voltage lithium ion battery packs with 420 V and 13.8 kWh each. In comparison with a conventional diesel truck, Daimler says it offers savings of more than $1,000 in operating costs for approximately every 6,200 miles. He added that the truck's range could “easily” be increased to 100 ...Read the rest of this story

The Amazon Effect on Freight Transportation Discussed at FTR Conference

A panel discussion at the FTR Conference tackles the Amazon effect, with FTR's Eric Starks (left) moderating. Photo: Evan Lockridge

Talk about how the company Amazon is changing the future of freight transportation kicked off the final day of the FTR Transportation Conference in Indianapolis on Wednesday with a panel that included two truck fleet representatives.

There is little doubt the company that offers everything from books to bananas is changing the landscape for logistics providers, said Matt Parry, senior vice president of logistics, Werner Enterprises. He noted Amazon is forcing logistics providers to choose a niche so they can survive the future.

The panel also touched on the subject of how Amazon has changed inventory management. Paul Will, senior executive consultant for Celadon Trucking Services, noted that Amazon has greatly decreased the amount of time between the time a customer orders and product and arriving on their doorstep.

“You really think about what happens now from the standpoint of logistics and supply chain. Now you need these massive distribution centers when you are trying to get merchandise to people in just two days,” he said.

In other words, how will the freight transportation industry get merchandise to people who want it practically immediately, including in a matter of hours, not days?

He also pointed out that trucking companies will be challenged with delivering products as their customers have increasingly different ways to interact with consumers through omnichannel retailing.

“The Amazon effect is our expectations are so much greater now to get stuff,” Will said. This includes customers demanding cheap to no cost shipping, and shippers having to figure out where the product is coming from and how it is tracked, all of which will make for rapid changes in the trucking and logistics sectors.

Both Parry and Will said Amazon has also upended so-called final mile deliveries, ...Read the rest of this story

Mack Reveals new Anthem On-highway Tractor

ALLENTOWN, PENN. – Mack Trucks today introduced its new, next-generation highway hero, the Mack Anthem, during the Mack Global Dealer Summit in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Mack calls the Anthem a re-engineered, redesigned and reimagined interpretation of what today's highway truck should be – aerodynamic, comfortable and connected with a bold Mack look.

“As one of the most significant new trucks in Mack's 117-year history, the Anthem combines our latest innovations with more than a century of truck-building know-how,” said Dennis Slagle, president, Mack Trucks. “The incredible result is a truck that's been built for our customers' business and designed for drivers, all while delivering the power and presence that only a Mack truck can deliver.”

The Mack Anthem features an all-new exterior design with optimized aerodynamics for improved fuel efficiency. New driving and sleeping environments were crafted with an emphasis on increasing driver comfort and productivity. The Anthem is available in several configurations, including a Day Cab, an all-new 48-inch Flat Top Sleeper, and an all-new 70-inch Stand-Up Sleeper.

“Every detail on the Anthem was designed with purpose,” said Jonathan Randall, senior vice president, sales, Mack Trucks North America. “We surveyed thousands of drivers and incorporated their feedback to deliver a functional, strong, efficient highway truck with an authentic design unlike anything on the road today.”

The Anthem is available with the 13-liter Mack MP8 engine with ratings as high as 505 horsepower and 1,860 lb.-ft. of torque. Several enhancements to improve efficiency and productivity are included, such as a patented wave piston design that enables more complete fuel combustion and a common-rail fuel system to more accurately control fuel injection. The 11-liter Mack MP7 is available as an option on the Anthem with ratings up 425 horsepower and 1,560 lb.-ft. of torque.

Mack's SuperEconodyne downspeeding packages are available with both Mack MP7 and MP8 engines.

Available ...Read the rest of this story

Mack rolls out new ‘bad ass’ Anthem highway truck

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Mack Reveals it New Highway Tractor: The Anthem

The truckmaker went back to its old stomping grounds to reveal its newest highway tractor. The event was Mack's Global Dealer Summitt and it was held at the PPL Center in downtown Allentown Pennsylvania. Here are a few photos of the new truck, called the Anthem. All photos by Jim Park

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Can a Fleet of Many Colors Help Recruit and Retain Drivers?

Plastic Express's fleet is so colorful it's been nicknamed the "jelly bean" fleet -- but its trucks are well known in the regions it runs. Photo: Plastic Express

In the quest to attract and retain drivers, these three trucking companies have found that a fleet of colorful tractors is one stepping stone on the path to success.

The rainbow of different-colored trucks at Plastic Express, a Southern California-based for-hire carrier and packager of bulk plastic resin, have been called the “jelly bean” fleet, says Tom McKellar, vice president of transportation and terminals.

“We're fortunate in the West we have equipment that people are enamored with, and they like the idea of seeing themselves driving something shiny and colorful."

At one time, McKellar was a salesman at the Peterbilt dealership that sold Plastic Express trucks. “They said it was because we can remember colors better than numbers, but the truth is it gives the drivers a sense of ownership. They take care of trucks. They're all individuals, and we have to recognize that.”

Although the company today is 100% Freightliner rather than Petes, the colorful trucks are still one of its hallmarks.

It's just one small piece of a driver-focused operation. It starts out by hiring drivers who are professional and safe (including having to submit a resume via Indeed.com), and continues with an extensive onboarding and driver training and mentoring process, a guaranteed minimum salary, generous health insurance benefits, and ongoing respect, communication, and recognition.

They might not be quite as colorful as Plastic Express's "jelly beans," but Wisconsin-based Halvor Lines started adding black and silver Volvo sleeper trucks this past year. “We've always had white or yellow trucks, and this year we added black and silver,” explains Debbie Landry, director of driver services. “A lot of drivers have a specific request for a certain ...Read the rest of this story