During an economic outlook and press conference at the Paccar Innovation Center this week, Peterbilt announced several new features for its Class 8 lineup. The Model 579 now is standard with the Bendix Wingman Fusion driver assistance technology, including automatic emergency braking and speed limit sign recognition.
Peterbilt also worked with the Women in Trucking Association to add two new safety and convenience options for the Model 567 and Model 579 sleeper tractors. The storage cabinet under the passenger seat is available with a pass-through option to allow drivers to easily load groceries, luggage and other heavy items from outside the cab without having to climb to load things over the seat.
A new alert switch located in the sleeper control panel can be used to fend away intruders or in other emergencies. When activated, the switch flashes exterior lights and sounds the horn to provide an additional layer of personal security for the truck occupant.
Peterbilt also announced the Paccar MX-11 engine is now available with the new Paccar 12-speed automated transmission. Peterbilt says the drivetrain pairing is ideal for heavy-duty and vocational applications where power and maneuverability are needed at low speeds.
Increasing market share
With the trucking industry firing on all cylinders and across all segments, Peterbilt forecasts 2018 U.S. and Canadian Class 8 retail sales to reach 265,000 to 285,000 units. “This could challenge the 278,000 from 2015 that was the third best year in history just behind 2005 and 2006,” said Jason Skoog, Paccar vice president and Peterbilt general manager.
In 2017, Peterbilt set its own market share record for U.S.-Canadian Class 8 truck sales at 15.3 percent, well above is previous record of 14 percent in both 2011 and 2012. The truck maker hopes to continue that success after the launch of its Model 579 UltraLoft intergral sleeper. The company has 2,500 orders placed before production is slated to begin next week.
“Based on the Denton plant investments, our strong presence in both the construction and energy segments along with the launch of the Model 579 UltraLoft and our increasing share gains in over-the-road and less-than-truckload fleets, we are well-positioned to wet market share records for the second year in a row,” said Skoog.