Navistar Shows Telematics Solution, Sees Industry Growth
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Navistar International Corp. showcased its OnCommand Connection telematics software as the truck maker reported continued strength in orders.
Company executives — including Chief Operating Officer Jack Allen and Bill Kozek, president of North American truck and parts — delivered those messages at the Mid-America Trucking Show here March 27.
Kozek said that Navistar has expanded the telematics system that delivers information to fleets from multiple OEMs rather than just a single manufacturer, saying it is now used on 30,000 vehicles.
That approach dovetails with carriers whose fleets have more than one manufacturer. He said the goal is to move fleets away from unplanned downtime toward more uptime and predictable, scheduled maintenance.
“By integrating support services into OnCommand Connection that achieve more efficient repairs and maintenance, better life cycle value and overall lower total cost of ownership, we provide our customers with increased visibility and control over their businesses,” Kozek said.
On the market side, he said, “We are going to see some growth [in industry sales] from 2013,” although he added that “is not going to be a huge number.”
Allen told Transport Topics that March orders at Navistar are maintaining a similar pace to the February pace outlined in the company’s recent earnings announcement. At that time, February orders were reported to be 67% higher than they were in the fiscal first quarter ended Jan. 31.
