Right-sizing Your Fleet

When was the last time you sat down and evaluated whether or not you needed all the trucks you currently have in your fleet? Or if you have the right mix of trucks to efficiently complete all your deliveries?

If you are like most fleet owners, as long as the deliveries are being made, you probably assume that you have the right size fleet for your operation. However, it is very possible that you may have too many trucks in your fleet or the wrong mix of trucks and trailers.

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2017 Cascadia: Driver Comfort & Safety Too

New Cascadia Elite Interior Cockpit Package shown in Saddle Tan and Black. Photo Courtesy of Freightliner.

Drivers like or dislike trucks for all sorts of reasons, but it the truck isn't comfortable, quiet and roomy, chances are your drivers might be on the lookout for something better. With recruiting and retention front of mind, Freightliner says the interior of the new Cascadia received more design attention than any previous Freightliner truck.

"We wanted to develop a truck that drivers are proud to drive," says Kary Schaefer, general manager, product marketing and strategy, Daimler Trucks North America. "We think of it as a tool to attract and retain good drivers, so our goal was to make the Cascadia a truck drivers would want to drive."

Out front where you can't really see the improvements, the steering and handling have been improved with the driver in mind. A new front suspension with long taper-leaf springs provides a smoother ride and improved roll stiffness. Also, the steering gear was pushed farther forward to help improve steering precision. Drivers will notice the improvements in sure-footed handling and less jarring when running on rough pavement.

The engine and cab mounts were redesigned as well to provide a quieter environment with less vibration transmitted into the cab structure from the chassis. The engine tunnel cover is now constructed using Quiet Steel technology to keep engine noise out of the cab

Engineers have also used, for the first time, an insulating technology familiar to anyone who has ever worn a winter coat: 3M's Thinsulate, known for its thin structure and very good thermal and acoustic insulating properties. It's optional, but it's hard to imagine fleets operating in northern climes deleting this from the option list.

Inside the cab, drivers will find a striking new dash layout and gauge cluster in the A-panel, ...Read the rest of this story

VW to Buy Stake in Navistar, Reports Say

Published reports on Monday indicate that Volkswagen's truck division will acquire a stake in Navistar International Corp. and sell engines to the American truck builder, according to Reuters, the Wall Street Journal and the Economic Times.

The deal, which could be announced by VW and Navistar on Tuesday, would give the German-based company a foothold in North America and could threaten Cummins' strong supplier relationship with Navistar, noted Stifel, a stock and industry analyst firm, in reacting to the reports on Monday.

Just how big a stake the company is buying was unclear. Reuters reported 19.9% while the Wal Street Journal said 17%.

Reuters said Volkswagen has agreed to supply engines to Navistar as part of the deal, quoting an unnamed source. Reuters also noted that Volkswagen declined to comment and Navistar couldn't be reached over the Labor Day holiday. Volkswagen will pay around $16 per Navistar share or about $223 million in total, the source told Reuters.

The WSJ says the two companies have been in on-again, off-again talks since early 2015. Sources told the Journal that they have agreed to cooperate on purchasing and developing new products.

Volkswagen reportedly would get two seats on the board of directors as part of the deal and would be joining a board that already includes representatives of activist investors Carl Icahn and Mark Rachesky, who each control about 20% of the company.

“VW has long been rumored to be interested in Navistar,” WSJ wrote. “The German company is a powerhouse in the global truck market, particularly in Europe and Brazil, but doesn't sell many [make that any] large commercial trucks in the U.S."

“Navistar draws most of its sales from the U.S., Canada and Mexico and has a limited overseas business, making it a potentially good fit for VW. Navistar also has a strong dealer network that ...Read the rest of this story

Freightliner’s New Cascadia: A Closer Look

Freightliner's new Cascadia was revealed formally on Thursday, September 1. Reporters were told more about the truck and they had to opportunity ride in one and take photos. Equipment Editor Jim Park sends these photos from press day.

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