Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star

Safety First! Integrated Safety Systems Get Approval from Drivers

October 16th, 2014

In last week’s blog, we discussed the latest announcements from Daimler Trucks North America, specifically those concerning the new safety package, the “Detroit Assurance Package,” and how its collision and lane departure alerts are set to revolutionize the way drivers operate their vehicles. But what do the drivers themselves have to say about integrated safety systems? If the research from a University of Michigan study has anything to say about it, they fully approve!

University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute Shows Positive Response to Integrated Safety Systems

In the study conducted by the UMTRI, which was a comprehensive 5-year research program, the compiled data generally had positive things to say about the overall effectiveness and usefulness of integrated safety systems in trucks. They were proven to reduce the number of accidents experienced, and the drivers who participated performed at a safer level with the help of the integrated systems.

Freightliner Integrated Safety Systems Impress on a Major Scale

Dave LeBlanc, one of the chief investigators of the UMTRI project, noted that the results of the study brought these systems to the attention of some big names. At the conclusion of the study, he notes, Con-way ordered a whopping 1,300 Freightliner Cascadias (the models including lane departure and forward-crash warnings and roll-stability control systems) to add to their fleet. If more follow in their footsteps, these safer vehicles could change commercial trucking for the better well into the future!

Check back with Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star for the latest updates on truck safety and other trucking news!

If you’re in the trucking business or are looking to expand your business through trucking, call on Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star to take care of your trucking needs. You can call toll-free at 800-832-7278 or locally at 410-685-4474. You can also shoot us an email with your questions or 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!

Be sure to follow us on Google+ and find us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on all the latest from Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star. Follow us on Twitter too: @bmorefreight.

Source:

http://fleetowner.com/news/trucking_safety/research-effectiveness-driver-acceptance-0317

Tags: Freightliner, integrated safety system
Posted in Blog, Trucking News

The Latest from DTNA: New and Improved Medium-Duty Engines

October 10th, 2014

Daimler Trucks North America took the opportunity on October 6 at the American Trucking Associations’ Management Conference & Exhibition to share their latest news on trucking innovations: a new safety system package, as well as Detroit-branded medium-duty engines. As the industry continues to experience steady growth, these latest additions from DTNA just go to show the reason behind improving sales and company success: they are innovations that take into account the needs of fleet owners and truck drivers alike to make for an overall more effective experience. Read on to find out more!

The Detroit Assurance Package

The new safety system announced by DTNA has been dubbed the “Detroit Assurance Package;” it offers a number of features that are designed to improve overall driving safety. The package includes a radar system to alert the driver about possible collisions, an adaptive cruise control option, as well as a camera system to monitor lane departures. This new system allows the driver to improve their performance, and it also improves the overall performance of the vehicle itself. So far, the Detroit Assurance Package is available in both the Freightliner Cascadia Evolution model and the Cascadia, along with the new medium-duty engines.

Medium-Duty Engines for Freightliners

The new medium-duty engines, the DD5 and the DD8, will be offered starting in 2016. Not only are they designed for high-quality performance, but they are also considered to be eco-friendly engines; according to DTNA’s president, the engines will meet the regulations for greenhouse gas emissions projected to be in place for 2017.

Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star

Be sure to follow us on Google+ and find us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on all the latest from Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star. Follow us on Twitter too: @bmorefreight.

Source:

http://www.ttnews.com/articles/showtemplatemce2014.aspx?storyid=36221

Tags: DTNA, medium-duty, safety
Posted in Blog, Trucking News

Daimler’s Revolutionary Future Truck Debuts

October 3rd, 2014

Fresh off the heels of Western Star’s new truck launch comes the debut of a Daimler truck vehicle that those in the industry are referring to as a “work of art.” The Future Truck 2025 was revealed in Germany over the summer, according to an article in the latest edition of Transport Topics, and its advanced technology and revolutionary design are garnering a lot of attention already. What features in particular have got people talking? Read on to find out!

Taking Auto-Drive to the Next Level

The Future Truck 2025 is the first self-driving truck from Mercedes-Benz; its autonomous function utilizes cameras and specialized sensors to allow the truck to navigate safely around other vehicles and obstacles, even at highway speeds. Radar sensors are also incorporated to alert drivers about dangers in their blind spots, making for an overall safer truck.

The look of the Future Truck 2025 is downright, well, futuristic. Instead of traditional rearview mirrors, the truck features a video camera system that provides advanced, comprehensive visuals. Taking out the mirrors also yielded an improvement in fuel efficiency. Subtle differences in the design have made a remarkable difference as well, such as the placement of the headlights; the Future Truck’s are placed under the hood so that the lights shine through the paint. The “smart” lights even shine in different colors to indicate what mode the truck is in: white for manual driving and blue for autonomous.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest in trucking news? Check back with Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star to hear all of the latest!

Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star

Be sure to follow us on Google+ and find us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on all the latest from Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star. Follow us on Twitter too: @bmorefreight.

Source:

http://www.ttnews.com/articles/petemplate.aspx?storyid=36126&page=1

http://fleetowner.com/equipment/mercedes-benz-puts-future-display-self-driving-truck?eid=forward

Tags: Daimler, Future Truck
Posted in Blog, Trucking News

Real-World Results with Virtual Technician

September 26th, 2014

In Daimler Trucks North America’s constant quest to improve both service and customer experience in new and innovative ways, the Virtual Technician remote diagnostic service was installed on its 100,000^th truck since its launch back in April of 2011. And how exactly does the Virtual Technician technology help drivers and fleet owners on a day-to-day basis? Read on to find out more.

Virtual Technician Keeps a Real-Time Eye on your Truck’s Performance

Usually when your check engine light switches on, you have to guess at what has gone wrong before taking your truck in to your mechanic. With Virtual Technician, however, the guess work and waiting is eliminated. Virtual Technician checks on engine faults and lets drivers and fleet owners gain a better idea of what issues their truck is experiencing before they even pull into the parking lot of the shop. VT, as it’s known, was first launched in the Cascadia model, but has now become a standard installation on the majority of Freightliner and Western Star vehicles on the market. Not only does the data provided by Virtual Technician keep drivers aware of any impending problems, but it makes for an overall safer driving experience out there on the road. Improving the functionality of trucks also means saving money on expensive, last-minute repairs, a benefit any fleet owner can surely agree with.

Interested in learning more about Virtual Technician or other Daimler Truck technologies? Check back in with us here at Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star for the latest in trucking news.

Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star

Be sure to follow us on Google+ and find us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on all the latest from Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star. Follow us on Twitter too: @bmorefreight.

Posted in Blog, Trucking News

Star of the Moment: Western Star’s 5700XE

September 17th, 2014

Is it Christmas already?! It certainly felt like it when we heard Western Star’s latest announcement: the unveiling of their new highway tractor 5700XE. According to the latest issue of Transport Topics magazine, the new truck was on display for executives late last week at a presentation outside of Las Vegas, and it will be available to order starting this fall. It is projected to be in full production by the beginning of next July.

Before we get into the details of the performance of the 5700XE, we should really talk about the exceptional new design. Per an article from Successful Dealer, the 5700XE is sleeker, more sculpted, and more aerodynamic than other trucks on the road, lending it a revolutionary new look that is sure to make an eye-catching addition to any fleet.

The most newsworthy note about the 5700XE, however, is its fuel efficiency. The XE stands for “extreme efficiency,” which essentially says it all. The 5700XE has already earned the EPA emissions credits and ranked in the strictest category for Greenhouse Gas emissions, and it has the most fuel efficient powertrain available. Altogether, we’d say that this makes for the perfect investment for fleet owners looking to have a great-looking truck with even better efficiency and mileage.

Are you looking to get your hands on the latest Western Star 5700XE? Stay tuned in to find out when ordering officially launches, and don’t forget to get in touch with Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star to stay up-to-date!

Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star

Be sure to follow us on Google+ and find us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on all the latest from Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star. Follow us on Twitter too: @bmorefreight.

Source:

http://www.successfuldealer.com/western-star-unveils-new-aero-truck/?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_content=09-12-2014&utm_campaign=SD&ust_id=ae4c9d063d&

Tags: 5700XE, Western Star
Posted in Blog, Trucking News

Have Good Luck with Truck Bucks from DTNA!

September 11th, 2014

Daimler Trucks North America has reached a major milestone (though we’re not talking literal miles this time!) for their innovation and exciting Truck Bucks program. The program itself is not even a year old- DTNA launched it back in March at the Mid-America Trucking Show- but it has already reached a considerable number of members: 10,000 according to the latest Aftermarket Update newsletter! So what exactly is the Truck Bucks program, and how can your business come to benefit from it? Read on to find out more.

Truck Bucks: DTNA’s Version of VIP Programming

The Truck Bucks program was designed to benefit both drivers and fleet owners. Card-holding members of Truck Bucks are able to get discounts on everything from new parts to maintenance services from those Freightliner and Western Star locations that are participating in the program. DTNA wanted to ensure that members had a user-friendly experience with Truck Bucks, and so they developed mytruckbucks.com for members to view the exclusive discounts and specials being offered, as well as keep track of product inventories at their favorite DTNA locations.

How Can I Sign Up for Truck Bucks?

Truck Bucks sign-up is easy: both in-store and online, people have the opportunity to register for this amazing deal. The system is easy for members to manage on their own; instead of keeping track of individual coupons or punch cards, the single Truck Bucks membership card presented at check-out guarantees them all the deductions and bonuses of the program. Check Truck Bucks out at your favorite Freightliner-Western Star location today!

Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star

Tags: DTNA, Truck bucks
Posted in Blog, Trucking News

A Happy Medium: Finding the Medium-Duty Truck for your Fleet

September 4th, 2014

When it comes to shipping and transporting certain things for your business, cramming everything into a single van may not cut it. On the flip-side, however, a fully-loaded tractor-trailer might be a little oversized for the task at hand. In such situations, Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star recommends thinking of finding that perfect place in the middle: a medium-duty truck. What are medium-duty trucks used for, and how can you find the perfect one to enhance your business? Read on to find out more!

Medium-duty trucks can be used for a number of different applications, depending on the needs of your company. You’ll find that many who focus on landscaping, deliveries, or smaller-scale moving use medium-duty trucks. The main benefit of these kinds of trucks, which typically fall into Classes 4, 5, and 6, is that they have the strength to contend with heavier loads and more demanding practices while still remaining a manageable and affordable size model for the average business owner.

Knowing if a medium-duty truck is right for you depends on knowing the weight and size of your average hauls. A load larger than 20,000 pounds will require a heavy-duty truck, but for smaller hauls and businesses a medium-duty truck is often the ideal fit. Are you worried about how much you will get out of your investment? Most medium-duty trucks are not even considered old until they’ve reached 500,000 miles and will last you for years to come. And for regular maintenance and body work, Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star is here to help!

Are you thinking of purchasing a medium-duty truck or need one serviced? Call on us today for more information.

Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star
If you’re in the trucking business or are looking to expand your business through trucking, call on Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star to take care of your trucking needs. You can call toll-free at 800-832-7278 or locally at 410-685-4474. You can also shoot us an email with your questions or concerns at info@baltimorefreightliner.com.

Source:
http://www.businessfleet.com/article/story/2006/01/first-timers-guide-to-the-medium-duty-truck.aspx

Tags: Baltimore, medium-duty trucks
Posted in Blog, Medium-duty Trucks

Western Star Heavy-Duty Trucks get Even Tougher

August 26th, 2014

The trucking industry’s growing trend of making significant improvements to their truck models has been taken up by Western Star. According to a recent piece in Fleet Owner, Western Star has introduced the Neway ADZ series of axle air suspensions for its 4800, 4900, and 6900 truck models. The Neway ADZ axle air suspension series is designed specifically for heavy-duty trucks, and the fact that some of Western Star’s most popular models are now available with it is great news for trucking enthusiasts everywhere.

According to SAF-Holland, the company that makes the Neway ADZ series, their design is a streamlined, lighter-weight axle air suspension, which reduces overall weight while still providing top-quality performance. Because lighter vehicles also get better overall mileage, this design is well-suited for those looking to improve their trucks’ fuel efficiency.

The Neway ADZ axle also accounts for a variety of different truck designs; its integral lower control arm module helps it stabilize and support vehicles that have a higher center of gravity than normal, making it a safe option for truck drivers.

Western Star’s heavy-duty trucks are designed to withstand many rough conditions, from weather to heavy shipping loads to poorly constructed pavement. The addition of the Neway ADZ series just makes them that much tougher and better prepared for the road ahead.

Do you have questions about Western Star trucks , parts, and maintenance? Call Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star today for more information.

Source:
http://fleetowner.com/equipment/western-star-now-offering-neway-adz-suspensions?eid=forward

Tags: heavy duty, Neway ADZ, Western Star
Posted in Blog, Trucking News

Summer of Sales: Heavy-Duty Trucks Skyrocket

August 20th, 2014

According to a piece in a recent edition of Transport Topics, the trucking industry has even more to smile about this summer than an improvement in vocational truck sales. The sales figures are in for July, and they are showing a whopping 22.5% jump for heavy-duty truck sales in America compared to last year’s comparable numbers. Daimler Trucks North America’s Freightliner brand in particular showed impressive individual figures and remains the leading truck brand sold with 6,451 units. So what exactly is responsible for this marked surge in truck sales? Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star has some insight.

Out with the old
One factor that has definitely contributing to these record truck sales is the new technology available to the trucking industry. People are looking to replace older models and outdated tech with the latest innovations that they know will keep them ahead of the pack. Older trucks are less efficient and can be expensive to maintain and find new parts for, whereas a newer truck offers all the benefits of a cutting-edge design, including energy efficiency, a major selling point.

Supply and demand
With an economy that is steadily improving, people are finding the need once more for new trucks. The demand for better, modern trucks has increased to keep up with businesses that are once again able to expand. When other industries are showing healthy development, so does the trucking industry.

Overall, it looks as though the success of brands like Freightliner will continue well into the future. Do you have more questions about the trucking industry and the kinds of trucks you should be investing in? Call Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star today for more information.

Source:
http://www.ttnews.com/articles/petemplate.aspx?storyid=35771&page=1
smile

Tags: heavy duty, truck sales
Posted in Blog, Trucking News

A “Golden Age” for Vocational Trucks Ahead?

August 14th, 2014

As we mentioned in last week’s blog, the sales figures for vocational trucks have been impressing those in the trucking industry nationwide. That trend, it appears, shows no sign of stopping, as the vice president of sales and marketing for Daimler Trucks North America, Richard Howard, was recently quoted in an article from Fleet Owner saying that there has never been a better time to be in the industry than this “Golden Age” of technological and sales advancements.

There are many reasons behind this confidence in trucking, and none of them are unfounded. Already sales figures for vocational trucks have increased over the past few years, and new and expanding product lines are said to be the next step for the country’s top brands. But there is also an overall commitment to improving trucking services, a vision shared by Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star. Shops will now give quick and accurate assessments of the work that needs to be done; the wait for an assessment, in the past, sometimes took longer than the actual work itself could. The new organizational systems, bolstered by new technologies, is allowing for fast, efficient, and precise customer service, which is good news for truckers and truck owners alike.

Vocational trucks can last for up to ten years when they receive this high level of care. Longer lasting trucks, coupled with new fuel innovations such as natural gas engines, have made the trucking industry the one to watch in terms of which businesses will be the biggest success stories in the coming years. Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star will continue its commitment to matching that level of success through its top-notch customer service and industry knowledge.

Source:
Fleet Owner

Tags: DTNA, vocational trucks
Posted in Trucking News

Blog

Safety First! Integrated Safety Systems Get Approval from Drivers

University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute Shows Positive Response to Integrated Safety Systems

Freightliner Integrated Safety Systems Impress on a Major Scale

Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star

The Latest from DTNA: New and Improved Medium-Duty Engines

Daimler’s Revolutionary Future Truck Debuts

Taking Auto-Drive to the Next Level

Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star

Real-World Results with Virtual Technician

Virtual Technician Keeps a Real-Time Eye on your Truck’s Performance

Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star

Star of the Moment: Western Star’s 5700XE

Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star

Have Good Luck with Truck Bucks from DTNA!

Truck Bucks: DTNA’s Version of VIP Programming

How Can I Sign Up for Truck Bucks?

Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star

A Happy Medium: Finding the Medium-Duty Truck for your Fleet

Western Star Heavy-Duty Trucks get Even Tougher

Summer of Sales: Heavy-Duty Trucks Skyrocket

A “Golden Age” for Vocational Trucks Ahead?

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University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute Shows Positive Response to Integrated Safety Systems

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Taking Auto-Drive to the Next Level

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Virtual Technician Keeps a Real-Time Eye on your Truck’s Performance

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Truck Bucks: DTNA’s Version of VIP Programming

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