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Freightliner’s Inside Man

Martin Daum Photo: Daimler Trucks North America

Martin Daum is the type of fellow who gets things done. Case in point: Last year, in his role as president and chief executive officer of Daimler Trucks North America, Daum got The Rolling Stones to play at the American Trucking Associations' convention in Las Vegas to help Freightliner celebrate the launch of its new Cascadia model Class 8 truck.

Do you have any idea how difficult it is to negotiate with Mick Jagger or to get The Rolling Stones to do anything?

Last week, Daimler Trucks North America caught a huge break when the Supervisory Board of Daimler AG – essentially the strategic/leadership committee that guides Daimler's worldwide operations – named Daum to its Board of Management with responsibility for the company's global truck and bus operations. He is succeeding Wolfgang Bernhard, who left for personal reasons, Daimler said, after overseeing some of the most stunning technological advances the trucking industry has witnessed in decades.

I have to think my friends at Daimler Trucks North America were turning backflips when the announcement was made. Because Martin Daum oversaw Freightliner attain the dominant position in Class 8 marketshare during his tenure and is intimately familiar with the wants and needs of this market. The news that Daum will now head up Daimler's global truck and bus business cannot be construed as anything but positive for the Freightliner and Western Star brands.

North America – and the United States in particular – remains the preeminent truck market in the world. Daimler has hardly ignored this part of the world, as its recent technological and marketshare successes confirm.

But now, with the global head of the company's truck and bus operations taking over fresh from the States, it seems logical to assume that Daum's intimate knowledge of this market, the concerns ...Read the rest of this story

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Wabash Names Final Mile and Distributed Services Exec

Kevin Page Photo: Wabash National

Wabash National has named Kevin Page as its vice president and general manager of final mile and distributed services.

In the new position, Page will drive further commercialization of the Final Mile Series and Cold Chain Series truck bodies. He will also direct and manage growth in the aftermarket parts and retail businesses.

Prior to joining Wabash National, Page served as the interim president of Truck Accessories Group. He also served as the president of Universal Trailer Cargo Group and vice president of sales, marketing, and service at Utilimaster Corporation.

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Kenworth Offers All-Wheel Drive T880

Photo: Kenworth

Kenworth's T880 is now available in an all-wheel drive configuration installed at the factory to speed delivery time and reduce costs.

The Marmon Herrington MT-22 front drive axle is available in a 6x6 or 8x8 Class 8 configuration with a capacity rating up to 22,000 pounds. The all-wheel drive configuration requires a Fabco transfer case, and can be specified with Fabco's 1-speed TC-142 or 2-speed TC-143 transfer case, depending on customer requirements.

“For severe duty applications where the ultimate in traction is required, our new configuration is a welcomed spec,” said Kurt Swihart, Kenworth marketing director. “We see our all-wheel drive T880 being used in oil fields, configured as an off-road crane, in utility and construction work, or used with municipalities and fire/rescue.”

For more information, click here.

Related: Kenworth's Rock-Solid T880

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