Daimler launches Elite Support Web site

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) has launched a new Web site for customers focusing on its Elite Support dealer network. Elite Support is a collaborative program between DTNA and its truck dealers, which works to improve the customer experience at Freightliner and Western Star branded dealerships, the company says.

The new site allows customers to search for Elite Support Certified dealers and provides details about each location.

“We know that customers will want to make sure their service providers are committed to continually improving their support,” said Martin Osborne, general manager of distribution network development for DTNA. “The dealers on this site have committed to and demonstrated by their actions and results that they will meet that requirement.”

The new Web site also includes details on Express Assessment. Officials say the service program promises that within two hours of the service write-up, the dealer will communicate to the customer the diagnosis, availability of needed parts, estimated cost and estimated repair time. The site also features an updated Express Assessment logo and colour scheme.

“Continuous improvement creates higher service standards throughout the Elite Support Certified network,” said Osborne. “We’re launching this new Web site at the Great American Trucking Show to highlight the benefits customers enjoy at our 83 Elite Support Certified dealer locations. I’m proud to say we currently have 69 more dealerships going through the certification process now, with more to follow.”

For more information, visit the new site at www.ServiceSupportNetwork.com.

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Daimler, MAN Step Up China, India Presence

Daimler AG and MAN SE have stepped up their presence in China and India, respectively, Bloomberg reported Monday.

Chinese truck maker Beiqi Foton Motor Co.’s board of directors approved a previously announced plan to license truck technology to a joint venture with Daimler AG worth about $265 million, Bloomberg said, citing a Foton statement on the Shanghai stock exchange.

Separately, MAN SE will take control of the MAN Force Trucks Pvt. Ltd. joint venture in India by buying the shares held by Force Motors Ltd., Bloomberg reported.

Volkwagen AG said earlier this month it would boost its global trucking presence with an increased of MAN.

Volkswagen, Daimler and MAN are all based in Germany.

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Daimler reaches 1,000th natural gas truck milestone

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) has become the first commercial vehicle manufacturer to deliver its 1,000th natural gas truck, the company announced this week.

DTNA turned over the key to the truck, a Freightliner M2 112 compressed natural gas (CNG) truck with a Cummins Westport ISL G engine, to customer Ryder System during a ceremony to commemorate the milestone at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif.

The Freightliner M2 112 CNG truck is powered by a Cummins Westport ISL G 8.9 liter engine, the only one of its kind that is a factory-produced, dedicated natural gas engine. The landmark vehicle was manufactured at DTNA's plant in Mt. Holly, N.C.  

"With our 1,000th natural gas truck, DTNA solidifies its position as the market leader in alternative fuel options," said Mark Lampert, senior vice-president of sales and marketing for DTNA. "This achievement is unmatched in the commercial vehicle industry, and we are proud to be pacing the industry in natural gas and sustainable green technologies."

"DTNA's 1,000th natural gas truck is an important milestone and a strong example of our dedication to manufacturing high-performance, low-emission vehicles that help our customers save on fuel costs," said Bob Carrick, vocational sales manager, natural gas Freightliner Trucks for Daimler Trucks North America. "These vehicles not only save our customers money, they also provide air quality benefits in the communities where they are deployed."

Upon formally accepting the vehicle from DTNA, Scott Perry, vice-president of supply management for Ryder Fleet Management Solutions said: "As a leader in commercial transportation and logistics, Ryder is leveraging its unique ability to influence and reach a broad, diverse customer base to improve access to alternative fuels such as natural gas. Working closely with industry partners like Freightliner enables us to continue to offer our customers new vehicle technologies that are reliable, cost-effective, and that help them realize their sustainable transportation goals."

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Daimler Predicts Higher Truck Sales in 4Q

Bruce Harmon/Trans Pixs

Daimler AG predicted a higher fourth-quarter profit on gains at its trucks and vans divisions, Bloomberg reported Thursday.

The maker of Freightliner and Western Star trucks projected “strong” growth in truck sales, Bloomberg said. Freightliner and Western Star are brands of Daimler Trucks North America.

“The need to catch up in both the European and [North American] markets is the main reason for the strong revival of demand compared with last year,” Daimler said in a statement.

Orders received for 107,200 units in the third quarter remained at a high level, and the order backlog is significantly larger than a year ago.

The truck unit anticipates unit sales in the fourth quarter at a higher level than in the prior-year period, the company said.

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Daimler adds second shift, 350 new jobs at Portland plant

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is looking to ramp up production at its Portland Truck Manufacturing Plant in Portland, Ore. with the addition of a second shift and the creation of about 350 new jobs at the facility by the end of 2012. The additional workers represent a nearly 50% increase in personnel at the plant and will include about 330 shop employees, and an additional 20 engineering and support positions to facilitate increased production.

The Swan Island facility exclusively produces heavy-duty Western Star brand Class 8 trucks for use in mining, logging, oil field and construction, as well as on-highway trucks and other specialized vehicles.

Officials say the increase in production capacity and hiring comes in response to a strong and steady rise in Western Star orders throughout 2011 and company expectations for continued growth in 2012. The Portland plant currently employs approximately 700 shop employees and 50 engineers, managers and support staff.

"We are delighted to be able to make this announcement today here in Portland and proud of the achievements of our Western Star workforce. The growing demand for our Western Star products is testimony to our brand focus on premium customer specifications combined with our leading powertrain technology," said Martin Daum, president and CEO of DTNA.

"Western Star is known as a serious work truck, and for good reason," added Daum. "They're built here in Portland with a heritage of the toughest vocational uses: logging, mining, specialized heavy hauling and military use. Despite global economic challenges, Western Star has been able to leverage its well-earned reputation and access to Daimler resources and technology to capture market share, leading to our announcement today."

The current hiring activity is the first time since 2006 that DTNA has had open-market hiring for shop positions at this plant. Hiring of new employees will begin in November and the new production shift is slated to be at full capacity by February. A second wave of hiring is planned for next summer to support the projected increase in demand.

DTNA is accept online applications for the machinist, material handler and maintenance positions at the Portland Truck Manufacturing Plant beginning Oct. 21. In addition, more than 150 positions in the fields of mechanical, electrical, electronic, and manufacturing engineering are currently open at DTNA in Portland and other company locations. Interested applicants for plant and engineering positions can apply at dtna.jobs.

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Daimler Rebrands 'Detroit' Line of Powertrain Components

TT File Photo

Daimler Trucks North America unveiled its new Detroit brand encompassing all of its powertrain components, including its Detroit Diesel engine line.

“By launching the Detroit brand, DTNA is reinforcing its intentions to respond more quickly and efficiently in developing an optimized line of vertically integrated components,” said Andreas Renschler, head of Daimler’s global trucks.

Daimler unveiled the new brand this week at American Trucking Associations’ Management Conference & Exposition in Grapevine, Texas.

“The Detroit brand of powertrain components continues our commitment to innovation, which is the essence of DTNA,” said Martin Daum, CEO of Daimler Trucks North America.

“Based on the existing Detroit Diesel brand long synonymous with quality, reliability, fuel efficiency, power and performance, the new Detroit brand will be the platform for all current and future DTNA optimized vertically integrated powertrain components,” Daum said in a statement.

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