Mack Trucks touts long-haul capability

With fuel efficiency continuing to be a critical element in trucking, industry giant Mack Trucks says its’ focus is to help reduce customer operating costs through a series of technological investments and advancements now on the marketplace.

“Customers need trucks that maximize their ROI,” said Stephen Roy, president of Mack Trucks North American Sales and Marketing. “The best way to do that is to provide products that increase fuel efficiency and aftermarket services that keep trucks on the road generating revenue. It also means offering uptime solutions that go beyond the industry norm to support our customers when they need it.”

Mack is touting its leadership in the fuel efficiency, citing a wide range of high-performing proprietary engines and the company’s mDRIVE automated manual transmission (AMT). Mack engines are GHG 2014-certified and offer up to a 2.4 percent increase in fuel efficiency. The mDRIVE improves drivability and boosts fuel efficiency by up to five percent over a manual transmission, according to company officials.

Roy said the company’s powertrain combines a proprietary Mack engine, transmission and axles. A recently introduced version of the Mack powertrain, the Mack Super Econodyne, seamlessly integrates a Mack MP8-445SE engine, mDRIVE AMT and proprietary axles to increase fuel efficiency by up to three percent compared to similar vehicles.

All of these fuel saving features are available in the versatile Mack Pinnacle model.  Offered in both axle forward and axle back configurations, the Pinnacle easily handles the rigors of the road, while providing the power and performance expected of a Mack. An optional 6×2 version, as well as drag-reducing roof, chassis and side fairings make this model especially fuel efficient.

“We’ll put our fuel efficiency up against any other OEM’s products,” Roy said. “For Mack, it’s all about positively impacting our customers’ bottom lines. That’s the commitment we’re making to them every day.”

Roy said living up to this commitment means not only industry-leading products, but superior service and support as well. Mack’s GuardDog Connect telematics-based solution quickly diagnoses potential issues, proactively schedules repairs and confirms that required parts are in stock and ready to install, all while the truck is still on the job.

As soon as a potential issue is detected, an automatic alert is sent to Mack OneCall, Mack’s 24/7 customer support center staffed by trained specialists. The Mack OneCall team immediately evaluates the situation, a case is opened in the Mack ASIST web-based fleet service management platform, the owner or fleet service manager is contacted and the repair planning process begins through a customer-chosen dealer. The process includes verification that a bay and the necessary parts are available. Mack OneCall also electronically sends repair instructions to the dealer. The end result is that technicians are fully prepared when the truck arrives, getting the customer back on the road faster.

GuardDog Connect is part of Mack Pedigree Uptime Protection, an industry-leading integrated suite of service and support solutions including Bulldog Service Management, Bulldog Parts Purchasing, Bulldog Financing and Bulldog Asset Protection. Mack also installs QR codes on the driver’s side doorframe of all models during assembly. QR codes can be quickly scanned with a tablet or other mobile device when a truck arrives for service at a Mack dealer, allowing rapid access to the truck’s information and service history. It automatically launches Mack ASIST, further expediting the dealer check-in process.

In March, Mack Trucks unveiled a bold new brand identity. The updated expression of the brand sends a strong message about the significant changes in the Mack Trucks organization, its products and customer support solutions.

A central element of the new brand expression is a sleeker, more modern logo featuring the iconic Mack Bulldog symbol poised confidently above the Mack word mark, shining a light on elements that have always been core to the brand and present on the product.  At the same time, the new mark is an expression of Mack’s present-day, forward-thinking approach to the heavy-duty truck industry and customer, according to Roy.

Mack’s extensive service and support network, consisting of 428 Mack dealer locations and more than 5,000 additional service locations in North America, is a critical piece to the success of Mack’s aftermarket support.

“Our aftermarket solutions and extensive support offer customers peace of mind,” Roy said. “They can be assured that Mack is taking care of them and helping save them money by getting their trucks back on the road quicker. Couple these services with our fuel-efficient products, and Mack has a total business solution for our customers.”