Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/949884
26 commercial carrier journal | march 2018 Peterbilt introduces UltraLoft integral cab spec for Model 579 P eterbilt Motors Co. introduced the UltraLo, a new 80-inch sleeper configuration for its Model 579 tractor that brings an integral cab design to the product range to enhance ergonomics and driver comfort. Aer achieving a company-record 15.3 percent share of the Class 8 market in the United States and Canada in 2017, Peterbilt expects the UltraLo to help continue that growth as high driver turn- over rates and a driver shortage create a growing need for team driving applica- tions as fleets train more inexperienced drivers and use in-cab comfort amenities as a recruiting advantage, said Robert Woodall, Peterbilt's assistant general manager of sales and marketing. "Discreet sleepers have served us extremely well, and we'll continue to offer those for our customers, but the fully integral cab closes a gap that we had in our product line and will provide access to new customers that demand the extra space of a lo product," said Woodall. "Even drivers running in single appli- cations want more space and amenities, and that was the motivation behind our response with the UltraLo product. is makes it an ideal truck for team drivers, training scenarios and customers who want to maximize aerodynamic perfor- mance and driver comfort." Peterbilt solicited input from hundreds of drivers during the UltraLo's design phase, including visits to truck stops to watch how drivers interacted with its cur- rent product and input from customer council groups and Women in Trucking. "In this industry, our customers and drivers are the lifeblood of our business," said Kyle Quinn, Peterbilt general man- ager and Paccar senior vice president. "We have to build and sell the products The UltraLoft is available with or without Peterbilt's Epiq aerodynamic package and offers a 2 percent aerodynamic efficiency improvement and a 1 percent gain in fuel efficiency over a similarly spec'd discreet cab configuration. The roomy interior in Peterbilt's new Model 579 UltraLoft spec features 70 cubic feet of storage, ample headroom in both the top and bottom bunks and new driver comfort features.