Mack, Volvo doubling distant programming capabilities, beefing up dealership providers
Mack Vans and Volvo Vans North America (VTNA) on Tuesday at the Know-how & Upkeep Council Annual Assembly and Expo in Orlando introduced the enlargement of of their distant diagnostics bundle by including three new updateable modules to the service.
Distant programming providers presently permits for software program updates on the engine (EMS), aftertreatment system (ACM), and transmission (TECU) modules. Three new over-the-air replace modules shall be out there for obtain on vans delivered later this 12 months: Instrument Cluster (IC) – Controls the dashboard lights, dials, and screens; Automobile ECU (VECU) – Controls a greater diversity of capabilities from the adaptive cruise management and total engine administration system to the tire strain monitor and parking brake; and Physique Builder Module (BBM) – Controls the performance for specialty automobile modifications for functions similar to refuse vans and transport refrigeration models (TRUs).
Three new over-the-air replace modules shall be out there for obtain on vans delivered later this 12 months: Instrument Cluster (IC); Automobile ECU (VECU) – Controls; and Physique Builder Module (BBM) – Controls.
Each platforms allow drivers to obtain and set up over-the-air software program in minutes from anyplace cell sign is on the market.
Whereas Mack and Volvo’s expanded distant replace capabilities maintain fleets out of the dealership, the sibling truck makers additionally on Tuesday introduced applications designed to maximise the help fleets get from sellers after they do must roll in.
Volvo’s Related Automobile Analytics (CVA)
Volvo’s Related Automobile Analytics (CVA) software collects real-world knowledge — together with present truck configurations, each day routes, common pace and gasoline effectivity — and allows sellers to advocate configurations for a brand new truck, based mostly on its particular operation.
Volvo mentioned the CVA software features a strong dashboard the place sellers can monitor how fleet prospects are working vans and the place there are alternatives to optimize effectivity and productiveness with enhanced specs.
Utilizing Volvo Vans’ CVA software, sellers can achieve quantitative insights into how a buyer’s fleet is working and what updates and modifications might be made within the specs when spec’ing new vans to enhance operations and complete price of possession. Knowledge is supplied on a variety of data that may have an effect on the gasoline effectivity and productiveness of a automobile, together with particular route particulars (latitude and longitude for some stops and common pace); automobile attributes (truck mannequin, axle configuration, and many others.); and gasoline effectivity.
Sellers may also entry an nameless pool of automobiles to benchmark how a given buyer’s fleet is performing in comparison with different equally spec’d automobiles.
New Volvo, Mack service contracts
Each truck makers will slowly roll out contract service plans. The plans spent roughly a 12 months being piloted and refined in a comfortable launch.
Beneath the Volvo Blue service contract, Mike Furst, director of contract providers and leasing know-how options, all work is carried out by Volvo licensed technicians utilizing real or approved Volvo components. Licensed technicians have entry to specialised tools, diagnostic instruments and the database techniques required to service and preserve extremely subtle automobiles and on-board software program now normal on all Volvo Vans automobiles. The service contract additionally consists of actual time monitoring and managing all software program and recall updates.
By way of deliberate, preventative and thorough upkeep, together with a 74-point inspection plan, sellers assist fleets decrease the danger of coming to an surprising standstill. The Volvo Blue service contract leverages real-time over-the-air truck knowledge to tailor the service plan based mostly on the precise utilization and utility of an operator’s particular person truck. All upkeep is undertaken when it finest fits the client and follows a predetermined schedule to attenuate disruptions to operations, cut back time spent at a dealership and supply prospects with extra predictable upkeep prices.
Included within the Volvo Blue service contract, prospects have entry to the over-the-air Distant Diagnostics and Distant Programming suite all through the period of the contract. These providers proactively establish anticipated breakdowns and ship the automobile’s diagnostic knowledge robotically to the dealership or restore heart earlier than the truck arrives for its scheduled most popular service time. By way of Distant Programming prospects even have entry to the complete suite of distant parameter and distant software program replace providers, elevating fleet uptime and effectivity.
With the Volvo Blue service contract, fastened service charges might be unfold evenly all through the chosen contract interval period of 12 to 60 months. Clients might elect to be billed through financial institution draft (ACH), to their most popular account, or bundle with their mortgage or lease from Volvo Monetary Companies. There are extra than 400 licensed Volvo Vans dealerships and 1000’s of service areas throughout North America which are ready to help their native prospects with the full-service protection of the contract.
Mack’s Premium Service Contracts provide devoted upkeep administration with a single level of contact at native sellers to handle the scheduling of upkeep; upfront components and labor prices providing price consistency; adaptive upkeep optimized based mostly on every buyer’s distinctive operations permitting for improved automobile well being; and constant restore and upkeep by Mack Licensed Uptime Sellers.
“Premium Service Contracts assist to make sure that upkeep is accomplished on-time and optimized for the client’s operation, software program is updated, open campaigns are accomplished on-time, and uptime is maximized,” mentioned Patrick Brown, Mack Vans providers and options technique supervisor.
Eligible automobiles for the Premium Service Contract are these which are powered by Mack engines with fewer than 150,000 miles. Preventative upkeep, adaptive upkeep and fleet administration by the supplier are included. The Mack Premium Service Contract is on the market for normal-duty functions in 100,000-mile increments, whereas Mack heavy-duty Premium Service Contracts can be found in 50,000-mile increments.
