Today’s Pickup: Daimler Trucks North America names GM of truck connectivity

Good day,

As connected truck technologies develop, Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) has determined it needs a dedicated position to take advantage of the opportunities being presented. The company has named Sanjiv Khurana to the new position of general manager of trucks connectivity, reporting directly to President & CEO Roger Nielsen.

Khurana will lead DTNA’s connected vehicle solutions and spearhead efforts to ensure customers receive critical insights that allow them to achieve maximum efficiency, uptime and safety, the company explained. He was most recently president of Detroit Diesel Remanufacturing, LLC, a DTNA subsidiary. Previously, he served as CFO of Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, where he was instrumental in the launch of the Daimler truck business in India.

“Sanjiv is the ideal fit for this crucial new position,” said Nielsen. “He brings a deep knowledge of DTNA, technical and financial acumen and a drive to see how much truck connectivity can accomplish in providing our customers with digital solutions imperative to their success.”  

“I am excited about the new challenges,” Khurana said. “Our vision is to provide our customers the best connected truck experience and help them get the best performance out of their business. Connectivity will transform the trucking industry and DTNA is deeply committed to this technology. I am determined that we will continue to lead in this important field by developing innovative products, services and business models.”

DTNA introduced Detroit Virtual Technician in 2011 and was one of the leaders in offering remote diagnostics using factory-installed hardware. Over the past several years, DTNA has deepened its connectivity capabilities with the introduction of the Detroit Connect suite of connected vehicle services, which also includes Detroit Connect Analytics and the recently launched Remote Updates. All Detroit Connect services are accessible via the Detroit Connect portal, which helps fleet managers access and analyze vehicle fault event and performance data, further deepening their knowledge about overall fleet health.

“Customers are responding to the innovative technology offered by Detroit Connect and it’s our responsibility to provide new capabilities that not only meet, but anticipate, their needs,” Khurana said. “Our customers have become increasingly sophisticated in how they are analyzing and implementing data captured and transmitted from their fleets, and DTNA will continue to provide the best solutions that meet their data needs and evolve their businesses.”

Did you know?

Oakley Trucking, a dry bulk carrier, will pay all new lease owner-operators an additional 10 cents per mile and then lower that amount based on CSA points. Drivers with 1-15 points would be paid 6 cents; those with 16 to 30 would receive 4 cents; and 31 to 60 points would receive only 2 cents additional. With a full bonus, a driver could make $1.82 per load mile.  

Quotable:

“There are going to be times in which we will have to do unique things to provide capacity that comes with an additional cost, especially surge capacity like the market we’re seeing today. “If our customers have requirements for additional capacity we certainly want to provide that, but sometimes it comes with a higher cost for us to reposition equipment into the market.”

– Brian Meents, Hub Group senior vice president of enterprise customer solutions

In other news:

Fourth quarter GDP revised downward

The Commerce Department revised fourth quarter GDP downward to 2.5% growth and has adjusted its outlook lower for early 2018. (Wall Street Journal)

Kohl’s to use stores for e-commerce fulfillment

Kohl’s said that it will utilize its stores to assist in e-commerce fulfillment as it maps out a strategy to remain competitive. (DC Velocity)

Carrier to pay drivers more based on CSA scores

Oakley Trucking has said that it will begin paying drivers more per mile based on the quality of their CSA scores. (CCJ)

Intermodal shippers charging for delays

Tight capacity is leading some intermodal shippers to assess detention and other charges because of backlogs and turn times at rail ramps. (Journal of Commerce)

OOIDA tells House committee to use its authority

OOIDA has sent a letter to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee asking it to use its oversight authority and hold a hearing on ELD impacts. (LandLine)

Final Thoughts

Kohl’s is the latest retailer to announce plans to utilize its physical stores to support its e-commerce program. The retailer hopes to ship goods purchased online direct to customers. It is one strategy that retailers hope will boost online sales, speed delivery times, and possibly improve in-store traffic as customers have the option to pick up in story.

Hammer down everyone!

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