Peterbilt Thursday announced the introduction of its new Digital Vision System-Mirrors (DVS-M) in the Models 579 and 567 to maximize driver visibility and safety. According to Peterbilt, he DVS-M is an intuitive digital solution that uses one High Dynamic Range (HDR) camera integrated into the driver side mirror head and two HDR cameras integrated into the passenger side mirror head. All three cameras feature hydrophobic lenses to repel water, ice and dust, which ensures visibility during harsh conditions. Cameras controlled by the joystick interface are viewed on two large high-definition int ..read more

Phillips Industries received two awards at the Penske Supplier Conference, the company announced Thursday: the 2023 Best Performing Supplier-Components award and the 2023 Best Innovation Supplier Award.  [RELATED: Phillips EC47 connector wins tech award at TMC] Best Performing Supplier-Components recognizes consistent quality, reliability and exceptional service delivery. The Best Innovation Supplier Award recognized Phillips' forward-thinking approach and its ability to drive advancements in the automotive components sector.  "Penske has over 2,000 suppliers to choose from, so we ar ..read more

Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems is increasing capacity at its Huntington, Indiana, manufacturing plant and distribution center, the company announced Thursday.  The plant, which is the company's primary North American distribution point, will upgrade using automation technology starting in mid-2025. [RELATED: Bendix to close Nevada distribution center] The Huntington location was established in 1980 as a 30-employee manufacturing and distribution center. It now has more than 500 people in multiple plants encompassing 855,000 square feet and four buildings.  "Our more than 40-year h ..read more

Shane Carder from MHC Kenworth has seen both sides of the repair process and offered HD Repair Forum attendees in Frisco, Texas, advice on moving the process along.  [RELATED: Mining the stats yields insights for HD Repair Forum attendees] He recommends good communication and, when necessary, do a little education. That may mean a little extra work from the shop, such as preparing two estimates for unrelated damage or for OEM parts, taking dozens of photos of damage and supporting the file in any way you can.  "As shop managers or shop estimators, we are the eyes and ears for the ins ..read more

HD Repair Forum attracted heavy-duty repair shop owners, managers and others to Frisco, Texas, for two days of talking shop. Sessions included a look at industry statistics through PPG's AdjustRite software, exploring franchising opportunities, looking at new technologies and more.  On Wednesday afternoon, attendees broke out into individual sessions that focused on, among other things, growing profits and growing the business.  Working with Adjusters and Managing Costs John Ascheman, senior application engineer with 3M's automotive aftermarket division, took aim at shop supplies. As ..read more

The battery electric semi truck Tesla announced in 2017 and set for production in 2019 is running late, but its production debut could be just around the corner (again).  Tesla's fully electric Class 8 has been delayed at least four times and is five years overdue, but Vice President for Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy said Tuesday during Tesla's earnings call that the company is finalizing the engineering of its all-electric Semi "to enable like a super cost-effective, high-volume production with our learnings from our fleet and our pilot fleet and Pepsi’s fleet, which we are e ..read more

CDK will host its second annual industry truck conference, CDK Truck Connect, next month at Renaissance Dallas Hotel. Set for May 7-9, the event will bring the heavy truck industry together and showcase how CDK connects dealers, OEMs and integrated solution partners to help shape the industry’s future through innovative solutions. CDK says the event will offer interactive learning sessions that include best practices and integrated solutions, as well as insightful market research findings and important discussion about present and future development roadmaps. Brian MacDonald, CDK pre ..read more

Commercial Motor Vehicle Consulting (CMVC) released a new report Wednesday on the economic factors impacting commercial truck sales in 2024. CMVC states in today's market, financial factors, in addition to the process of bringing capacity in balance with freight demand in line haul applications are weighing on truck sales in the near term. Line haul fleets should have capacity in equilibrium with freight demand by the end of the second quarter, but this does not imply an immediate recovery in Class 8 truck sales, as fleets will have the capacity in place to meet sluggish-to-moderate growth in ..read more

Communication is the backbone of a successful insurance repair, a panel at HD Repair Forum said Wednesday.  Moderated by Mark Polzin, president and owner of Budget Truck and Auto, the panel included Rick Melcher, director of service for the body shop at Rush; John Spoto, director of collision for Premier Truck Group; Leo Nenortas, field operations manager for collision centers, Penske Truck Leasing; and Kelly Reich, home office claims manager for material damage, Federated Insurance.  [RELATED: Mining the stats yields insights for HD Repair Forum attendees] Communication starts with ..read more

Steve Leal bought his first body shop in Ontario, Canada, in 2004. He was doing about $2 million per year in business, he says, and was looking to grow, so he joined Fix Auto, a Quebec-based franchise.  "If they can get me insurance work," he says, "That's the same price as a salesman."  [RELATED: Mining the stats yields insights for HD Repair Forum attendees] Unfortunately, the head office was a train wreck, Leal says. He joined forces with other frustrated franchisees and, by 2008, had bought the Ontario arm of the company himself, adding Atlantic Canada and Alberta in short order ..read more