Improvements for efficiency

Logistics may be a constant in any business or enterprise, yet it’s how the goods are moving that’s always changing. Businesses and services are beginning to move from brick and mortar locations to anywhere the consumer is. Recent events have only highlighted the value of having an internet-based element to offer all the same services now at the customer’s fingertips.

Commercial vehicles have also begun evolving with the times, with many of these brands introducing innovations that help make moving goods efficiently far easier. We go through some of the most recent changes that are sure to appeal to the enterprise-inclined.

Automatic transmission

Once only an option, automatic transmissions are now becoming the dominant choice when it comes to new car purchases. It should come as no surprise that this convenience is now making its way into CVs and trucks. It’s no longer a luxury but something that can be essential, particularly with the worsening and unpredictable nature of traffic.

This new inclusion brings with it several benefits. A CV with fully automatic transmission eliminates the variables of human operation. Because shifting is taken care of by the vehicle, drivers can simply focus on the road. Power delivery and clutch operation is more consistent, leading to less wear and tear on parts, lower maintenance, smoother operation, and higher fuel efficiency. Best of all, it requires less training for drivers and far less distractions on the road, ensuring goods arrive safely and on time. These benefits make it easier for business owners to plan and rationalize their operations ahead of time. An automatic truck assures business owners of more uptime on operations which leads to better profits. Example to two new trucks with such a feature are Isuzu’s N-Series Smoother and Hino’s 300 series.

Driver training

It’s always a good idea to prepare drivers for the job at hand. As such, many of these CV brands offer driver training programs to help them perform the job better. Driver training programs cover several topics like vehicle operation, troubleshooting, roadside repair, road rules, and fuel efficient driving. These modules provide huge benefits down the line thanks to the more considerate and conscientious drivers they produce. It’s another option that can help improve efficiency of operations, reduce maintenance of the vehicles and maximize profits. Many CV brands offer this service, while Ford’s Driving Skills for Life provides valuable refresher courses.

Telematics

For enterprises that want to be kept up to date of their vehicles’ progress at all times, easily one of the most satisfying solutions is telematics. Telematics is an onboard computer that regularly monitors all aspects of a CV’s operation. It’s a blackbox that logs aspects like the vehicles’ throttle position, braking, gear, speed, location, and even engine RPM. These stats can be downloaded from a vehicle or fed live to a computer back at headquarters.

A telematics also has handy GPS features which can provide managers a vehicle’s exact location and even speed in real time. In addition, some even offer geo-fencing features, which essentially warns the manager when the vehicle has gone somewhere it’s not supposed to.

Perhaps the greatest benefit telematics the telematics system offers is its ability to closely examine how each driver operates the vehicle. This allows managers to tailor-make a training program to help them address issues like heavy throttle application or rough braking. It also helps identify the smoothest and most efficient drivers who deserve incentives. Brands like Isuzu and Scania now offer these telematics systems in some of their trucks.

Service caravans

Sometimes, the target market or the most practical location may be far from civilization. Many brands understand this and thus offer service caravans that come to the fleet operator. This saves the enterprise from having to bring their vehicles to the service center. With this added service, the service center comes to them.

Given a wide variety of names depending on the brand, this service is made up of a fully-equipped truck and a staff of mechanics that drive out to the client. The idea is to bring the preventive maintenance service to the customer. This addresses any potential problems before they get worse, minimizes downtime, and can also be quite convenient putting most of the vehicles on the same schedule. It’s something operators of fleets far from a proper service center should consider.