This story appears in the May 28 print edition of Transport Topics. Click here to subscribe today. Volvo Trucks North America has introduced a remote diagnostics aftermarket service that is intended to mitigate downtime for heavy trucks.
The May 18 announcement said the remote diagnostics system, which will be standard on Volvo-powered VN model trucks, creates live communications that link the manufacturer, the truck and maintenance managers to increase “uptime” by as much as one day.
“Remote Diagnostics leverages Volvo’s support network and service-management tools to rapidly address service issues before they occur,” said Stephen Roy, Volvo Trucks senior vice president of aftermarket and soft products.
The feature is available at no charge for all trucks ordered from the price book beginning May 21. The VN models include the VNM and VNL lines.
Volvo, which first introduced telematics in 2002, said its new remote diagnostics offering “provides proactive diagnostic and repair planning assistance with detailed analysis of critical diagnostic trouble codes.”
Remote diagnostics are communicated by using the truck maker’s Action Service, a support team that is available at all times. The goal is to confirm that the proper parts for repairs or maintenance are on hand when a truck arrives for service, the statement said.
Volvo’s statement also said that remote diagnostics are tied to the truck maker’s Web-based tool known as ASIST that is used to communicate service information.
Volvo began to offer the ASIST service to buyers of all new trucks on Jan. 1.
The ASIST feature gives electronic estimates to customers, approves repairs and issues a purchase order, no matter where the vehicle is located.
ASIST also allows direct communications with the dealer and compilation of what Volvo terms “an electronic ‘file cabinet’ of service activities.”
The remote diagnostics system was tested for almost a year in over 1,300 VN tractors operated by 15 customers, several of whom commented in the statement.
“With Volvo’s Remote Diagnostics, I know the vehicle’s issue before it arrives at our terminal, so I can ensure the parts and mechanics are prepared to get the vehicle back on the road, delivering freight on time to our customers,” said Joseph Egan, director of maintenance at Abilene Motor Express, Richmond, Va.
