Getting the right specs to maximize productivity

“Data is also critical to improving uptime,” Gedert stated, “and the Detroit Connect suite of connected vehicle services provides in-depth information about the health of their vehicles. The data from Detroit Connect can help technicians diagnose, troubleshoot, repair and document, as well as ensure that they have the right tools needed to complete the job so drivers can get back on the road faster.”

This feature allows drivers to make an informed decision regarding maintenance in order to only request service that the vehicle needs. This allows the vehicle to spend less time in the shop, reduces diagnostic time and ultimately improves vehicle uptime.

“With Virtual Technician, fleets and drivers know within minutes when their vehicles experience fault events, the severity of the fault, and when, where and how to best fix the issue at hand,” reported Gedert. 

When you are selecting the specifications for your heavy-duty truck, it is very important to know what all is out there. Jim Nachtman, Heavy Duty Marketing Director of Navistar, reported that there is a very wide variety of options available that can improve productivity. He suggests looking for the following: collision mitigation systems; blind spot detection; LED headlights; hood mirrors; and more. Navistar offers an Over-the Air (OTA) cellular programming system that allows A26 engines to receive the latest calibration and for the fleet to modify some programmable parameters while avoiding going to the shop at all. 

Ultimately, Nachtman suggests getting others opinions and assistance in the specification process. He stated that, “International application engineers are available to assist the dealer in spec’ing the best uptime possible.” 

When it comes to maximizing productivity, there are hundreds of options on the market. The most common piece of advice from many manufacturers, like Navistar, Freightliner, Mack and Volvo, is to do the research to see what all is offered. Keeping uptime as high as possible not only saves a fleet money, it increases productivity in order to increase profitability.