Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star

When is it Time to Buy a New Freightliner Semi-Truck?

July 30th, 2015

Most drivers of semi-trucks are on the road all day, every day to make a living. With all the hours put into your truck, chances are that your Freightliner semi-truck requires a lot of upkeep and maintenance. When that maintenance work begins to crop up a little too frequently, you may find yourself frustrated: after all, when your semi-truck is off the road, that means you’re not making any money. Read on to find out a few tips to help you decide if it makes more sense to continue putting work into your old truck, or if you should consider purchasing a new one.

Does it make more sense to put work into your old Freightliner semi-truck, or should you consider purchasing a new one?

Costs of Maintenance

The first thing to consider when you’re deciding whether to buy new or maintain old is, obviously, the costs involved. If you run your calculations and determine that you are spending more than $0.13 or $0.14 per mile, then you are spending too much money to have things fixed on your semi-truck. In order to keep things profitable, maintenance costs of around $.05 a mile are ideal. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Freightliner, semi-truck, truck maintenance
Posted in Blog, Business Basics

Heavy-Duty Truck Sales Soar in June 2015

July 23rd, 2015

June 2015 was the best month that heavy-duty truck sales have seen since nine years ago, in 2006. A total of 25,369 trucks were sold to make June 2015 the third best month in the history of truck sales and the most ever trucks sold in the month of June. This was a 31% jump from last year, and an 18% jump from May and marked one of the best months Freightliner has ever seen. So what factors have contributed to this huge jump in heavy-duty truck sales? Will we continue to see truck sales rise? Read on to find out.

June 2015 was the best month that heavy-duty truck sales have seen since nine years ago, in 2006.

A Record-Breaking Truck Sales Month

Stephen Volkmann, an industry analyst at Jefferies & Co, attributes the successful month to the huge numbers of vehicles ordered by fleets throughout the fall and winter that are still being delivered by manufacturers. Volkmann said, “We had a very front-loaded order year and now we’re executing on that, so it doesn’t surprise me that we would see strong production and retail sales.”Judging by the first six months alone, industry experts agree that so far, 2015 appears to be on the right track to become the third-best year for U.S. Class 8 sales. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Freightliner, heavy-duty trucks, truck sales, Western Star
Posted in Blog, Heavy-duty trucks

Freightliner: Most Comfortable Truck on the Road

July 16th, 2015

As we discussed two weeks ago, Freightliner takes the safety and comfort of its drivers extremely seriously. We realize you spend a lot of time out on the road, and if you’re experiencing back pain, neck pain, hip issues, or other problems related to discomfort, it can make life on the road a big challenge. That’s why Freightliner strives to make its trucks the most comfortable out there so the long hours spent in your truck can be enjoyable and safe. Drivers everywhere prefer Freightliner trucks for their comfort as well as safety and efficiency. Take a look at these comfort features that make Freightliner stand apart from the competition.

Freightliner strives to make its trucks the most comfortable out there so the long hours spent in your truck can be enjoyable and safe.

Enhanced Lighting

Not only are Freightliner trucks equipped with personal driver and passenger side lights, but a work and map light and dome lights on either side of the bed and on the ceiling in between the cab and sleeper also come standard.

Comfortable Seating

Maybe the most important comfort feature truckers look for is the seats. After all, how will you work long hours driving your truck in a seat that hurts your neck and back? Seats on Freightliner models are two inches bigger than standard models and are incredibly roomy. And you can upgrade to get seat heating, swivel, and a three-way bolster if you’d like! Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Freightliner, trucking comfort
Posted in Blog, Heavy-duty trucks

Daimler’s SuperTruck Receives Award from DOE

July 8th, 2015

In March 2015, Freightliner unveiled its brand new SuperTruck after undergoing a five long years of development aided by the U.S. Department of Energy, as well as several other leading industry suppliers and manufacturers. This week, Daimler Trucks North America’s (DTNA) SuperTruck program was awarded the U.S. Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office’s Distinguished Achievement Award. Clearly, this futuristic prototype vehicle could mean big changes in the trucking industry. Read on to find out more!

Traveling at 65 mph and weighing 65,000 lbs GVWR, the prototype was able to reach an average fuel efficiency of 12.2 mpg, effectively doubling that of the 2009 baseline vehicle.

What is the SuperTruck?

Back in April, we talked about what the unveiling of the SuperTruck could mean for the future of the trucking business. Five years ago, Freightliner received the largest grant from the U.S. government in the history of the industry to begin work on a new truck with increased fuel and freight efficiency as well as an increased engine brake and decrease in aerodynamic drag. At its unveiling in March of this year, it exceeded all expectations and the prototype turned out better than ever. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Daimler Trucks, Freightliner, SuperTruck
Posted in Blog, Trucking News

What Makes Freightliner One of the Safest Truck Brands?

July 2nd, 2015

When in the market for a truck, there are many things to consider such as price, operating life, return on investment, and most importantly, safety. And among major truck manufacturers, Freightliner definitely stands out for being one of the safest truck brands on the road. Among other things, the company has utilized new advances in technology to maximize the safety of the driver, reduce the risk of accident, and make the driving experience more enjoyable.

Among major truck manufacturers, Freightliner definitely stands out for being one of the safest truck brands on the road.

Comfort and Safety

Discomfort can distract you, a bad sleep can leave you tired and not as alert, and in general not being comfortable is unpleasant. That is why one of Freightliner’s goals in designing a truck to be as safe as possible is making the driving experience pleasant and comfortable. The seats in the Cascadia and Cascadia Evolution are several inches taller, wider, and longer than other brands in order to better accommodate those of different sizes. The cab is equipped with sound dampening to reduce the noise from the engine and to allow the driver to remain more alert. Paired with the spacious sleeping accommodations, this helps to blocks outside noise and allow the driver to stay properly rested. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Freightliner, safety
Posted in Blog, Business Basics

Medium-Duty Truck Sales See 3% Increase

June 23rd, 2015

As we saw last week, commercial truck sales are on the rise. Specifically, WardsAuto.com reported medium-duty trucks rose 3% in May, reversing a 10% decline in April. And according to a recent article in Transport Topics, sales of medium-duty trucks are currently tracking well ahead of 2014 levels. So what accounts for this, and will we continue to see sales rise? Read on to find out.

Medium-duty vehicles can be used to meet a large variety of needs for a large variety of types of companies – everything from landscaping, to deliveries, to moving.

The Facts about Medium-Duty Truck Sales

Although growth in the medium-duty truck sector has been more gradual than in the Class 8 market discussed last week, ACT’s Steve Tam asserts that this reflects the broader variety of operators that purchase those trucks. He says that medium-duty vehicles participate directly in every facet of the economy and that the highs and lows of those disparate sectors tend to average out. He estimates that medium-duty production will continue to grow modestly through 2020, continuing to increase roughly 3.5% per year. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: commercial truck sales, medium-duty trucks
Posted in Blog, Medium-duty Trucks

May Commercial Trucks Sales See 20% Increase

June 19th, 2015

According to a recent article in Transport Topics, the trucking industry has yet another reason to celebrate as the latest sales figures from the month of May have come in. Class 8 trucks sales saw a total jump of 20 percent compared to their sales from last year: 21,501 units compared to 17,990. So what accounts for this continued success, and how likely is it that it will continue in the months to come? Read on to find out.

Class 8 Truck Sales Continue to Show Strong Results

Commercial truck sales were off to a great start at the beginning of the year, and they have continued to show positive results as we reach the summer months. Sales are not just stable, but steadily increasing compared to 2014 records: an impressive feat considering that 2014 was largely reported to be one of the industry’s strongest since 2006. Daimler Trucks North America’s Director of Marketing Operations and Planning, Markus Pfeifer, was quoted in Transport Topics as saying that this year continues to be one of the most “robust” that the manufacturer has seen. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: class 8, commercial truck sales
Posted in Blog, Trucking News

Where Can My Sprinter Van Be Serviced?

June 12th, 2015

Whenever your Sprinter Van is off the road, it means that you are losing money.

At Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star, we realize how important it is to identify a problem. We also know, however, that is just the first step. You need the right Sprinter parts and services to get your van back on the road, so we take great pride in providing a comprehensive service.

Express Assessment

We know your van is the lively hood of your business, so we want to keep you updated with the recovery of your Sprinter Van every step of the way. Whether you personally bring in your van or have it dropped off by a tow truck, we will provide you with a diagnostics report within two hours of the drop-off. Our diagnostics will allow you to gain a general idea of the severity of the problem, which will help you establish alternative arrangements during your van’s repair time. When vehicle issues do arise, you need to have a professional service that has the right parts and services for your Sprinter Van.

A Modern Approach for Sprinter Van Repairs

While we pride ourselves on our old-school work ethic, we realize that a business needs modern amenities to provide customers with the best service possible. Our service shop facilities are state-of-the-art, and our 20 service bays allow for quick and accurate repairs. All of the mechanics are manufacturer certified, which means you can rest assured that your Sprinter Van is in good hands. We also continually send our mechanics to factory training courses on a regular basis. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: parts and service, Sprinter Vans
Posted in Blog, Sprinter Vans

Used Commercial Truck Sales See Uptick in First Quarter

June 5th, 2015

As the trucking industry continues to see positive results from its new truck sales sector, it has also seen an increase in the number of used commercial truck transactions. In the first quarter of this year, the total number of used truck sales increase by 4 percent. So what factors have contributed to this increase, and how can you take advantage of used commercial trucks in your own fleet? Read on to find out!

Higher Demand for Quality Commercial Trucks Drives Market

Trade-ins of used trucks have increased and added a significant number of available used models to the market. Because the quality of commercial trucks has increased steadily over the years, trucks made even several years ago are still in excellent work condition. So while some fleet owners opt for all-new models to add to their fleet, others can benefit from the sale of their used commercial trucks; they still have access to trucks of similar quality that fit realistically into any budget.

Why Opt for Used Commercial Trucks?

While purchasing a new truck comes with many benefits, fleet owners are increasingly seeing the value of investing in used trucks as well. Used commercial trucks are often smart choices for the budget-conscious; they often still have excellent mileage; they are a solid addition to a fleet that needs to expand to accomodate more shipments. If you are interested in adding used commercial trucks to your own fleet, get in touch with Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star today to find out what models are currently available to you. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: trucking industry, used commercial trucks
Posted in Blog, Trucking News

US Fleet Size Grows with Increased Class 8 Registrations

May 29th, 2015

The latest statistics on Class 8 registrations in the trucking industry are as encouraging as ever. So far this year, we’ve heard about changing capacities for truck sales, increased number of Class 8 trucks on the road, and the overall high success rate of commercial truck sales, and the good news continues with this latest bit of news coming from a recent article in Transport Topics. Latest numbers show a 13 percent increase in Class 8 registrations in the US, bringing the total US fleet size to a whopping 3.82 million trucks. Read on to find out more!

Need For New Commercial Trucks Shows in Industry Statistics

The main driving force behind the increase in Class 8 truck registrations seems to be the increased demand for larger fleets. Trucking companies are looking to invest in the new and improved technologies that have made the latest trucking models such hot commodities. Newer equipment is being made with safety and energy-efficiency in mind; newer equipment is also important to companies looking for a reliable alternative to their trucks that have simple run their course of time on the road.

What Other Factors Could Lead to Class 8 Registration Increases?

As trucking continues to evolve, the introduction of autonomous trucks, enhanced safety measures, eco-friendly designs, and more efficient engines will increase the demand for commercial trucks. In the coming months, we will all be keeping a close eye on the status of Class 8 registrations throughout the industry and seeing what is next in the ever-evolving world of trucking.

If you’re in the trucking business or are looking to discover more about Class 8 Registrations call on Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star. You can call toll-free at 800-832-7278 or locally at 410-685-4474 or email us your questions and concerns at info@baltimorefreightliner.com.

Since 1986, Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star has provided top quality service for the trucking industry. Whether you need to purchase specialized truck parts from our expansive inventory, expand your fleet with our selection of top-tier trucks, or have your company’s trucks serviced or repaired, Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star is the best choice in trucking. Become one of our many satisfied customers today!

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Source: http://www.ttnews.com/articles/petemplate.aspx?storyid=38341&page=1

Tags: class 8 registrations, trucking industry
Posted in Blog, Trucking News

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