Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
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commercial carrier journal | march 2018 27 Peterbilt GM: Booming truck market poised for further growth in 2018 T he Class 8 truck market in the United States and Canada in 2018 is setting up to be one of the strongest sales years on record, said Kyle Quinn, general manager of Peterbilt Motors Co. and Paccar senior vice president. Citing an improving manufacturing sector, increased capital spending, strong motor vehicle sales and low unemployment, Quinn said Class 8 retail sales in 2018 could be the third-strongest on record. "Freight tonnage is at record levels, driven by many industries as well as e-commerce," said Quinn. "Tax law changes for businesses will create new oppor- tunities for our customers and for us. All in all, we are in a very healthy environ- ment." Quinn forecasts total Class 8 U.S. and Canadian retail truck sales to fall be- tween 235,000 and 265,000 units in 2018 but said the driver shortage is a major headwind keeping fleets from rapid expansion. He forecasted the medium-duty market will remain steady with sales of 85,000 units in 2018. Peterbilt is off to a strong start in 2018 aer achieving record market share in 2017 in which the Denton, Texas-based company sold 43,000 trucks to capture 15.3 percent of Class 8 truck sales in the United States and Canada. Quinn said the Model 567 vocational and Model 579 on-highway truck models repre- sented roughly 70 percent of the company's production last year. Peterbilt added another 25 locations to its dealer network in 2017 – its fourth straight year of adding at least that many locations – expanding its foot- print to 372 locations in North America. "Our dealer network is the strongest it has ever been, and it will continue to grow," said Quinn. 2018 will be the first full year for Peterbilt to offer a proprietary powertrain solution that includes the Paccar MX-13 engine, 12-speed automated trans- mission and 40K axle. "We saw steady growth in [Paccar powertrain] adoption through 2017 and expect that momentum to continue this year," said Quinn. Peterbilt also recently completed a $100 million expansion at the Denton plant that included a 100,000-square-foot test facility in the vehicle delivery prep area, 17 new dock doors to improve material flow and the addition of an automated storage and retrieval system for painted parts. Quinn said Paccar's new Innovation Center campus in Silicon Valley, Ca- lif., will be instrumental in the development of the company's advanced driver assistance systems and artificial intelligence, vehicle connectivity and augmented reality initiatives. As part of its clean energy initiative, Peterbilt also is building 16 electric test trucks, including an all-electric Model 520 refuse truck for use in California with an 80-mile range, a 400-hp motor and a six-hour recharge time. – Jeff Crissey they want and need. We spent significant time and resources to gather informa- tion on what they need to make their lives easier, more comfortable and more efficient on the road." e UltraLo is available with or with- out Peterbilt's Epiq aerodynamic package and offers a 2 percent aerodynamic effi- ciency improvement and a 1 percent gain in fuel efficiency over a similarly spec'd discreet cab configuration. Available in single- and dual-bunk configurations, the UltraLo comes standard with 70 cubic feet of storage space, with an additional 14 cubic feet of shelving available. Peterbilt also added lockable storage bins above the driver and passenger doors that have enough space to accommodate two CPAP ma- chines. e wardrobe closet comes standard with a 42-inch hanging height, and Peterbilt plans to add a shelving option for team applications and drivers who prefer to fold clothes. A 1.1-cubic-foot microwave option also is available, as well as room for a 32-inch flatscreen TV on the lower bunk's foot wall. e UltraLo's lower bunk mattress measures 85 by 42 inches, and the upper bunk's mattress – capable of supporting 400 pounds – is slightly smaller at 82 by 36 inches. Both bunks feature ample headroom, with 48 inches for the lower bunk and 39 inches for the top. "roughout the design process, we asked ourselves, 'What is best for the drivers to be the most comfortable and productive?' " said Scott Newhouse, Peterbilt's chief engineer. "So we added headroom and storage and improved the overall space to maximize the driver's experience. e expansive lo-style space, the increase in efficiency and the reduction in overall tractor weight are a testament to the team's focus on maxi- mizing the driver experience." e UltraLo spec now is available for order, with production expected to begin in July. – Jeff Crissey Kyle Quinn, Peterbilt general manager and Pac- car senior vice president, said 2018 could be one of the best years for Class 8 truck sales on record.