Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/328710
FIRST CLASS l 17 namic science, driver comfort, safety and operational efficiency, and has placed an order for 1,500 more. "This will eventually be our standard fleet truck," says Rod Simon, Executive Vice President of Maintenance. "We're excited about so many of the features the Model 579 offers — and so are our driv- ers. It's definitely a driver's truck." Adds Jason Webb, Executive Vice- President of Asset Management, "We've long been a Peterbilt fleet, so we've always had a saying around here. We call it 'pride in your ride.' And that's a theme that will continue here well into the future." Fuel economy improvements It's more than pride that has Simon and Webb looking forward to the inte- gration of the Model 579 into the TMC fleet, mostly made up of traditional- conventional Peterbilts. There are tangible, bottom-line benefits as well, starting with fuel economy. The variable nature of flatbed loads often creates fuel efficiency challenges for TMC, but both Simon and Webb have watched closely the performance of their first Model 579, and are expecting significant improvements in fuel economy when new Model 579s arrive. "Everything's pointing to us realizing an 8 percent improvement with the Model 579," says Webb. "The contours in the hood, the mirror and visor design — there are several features where you can tell Peterbilt engineers spent a lot of time in the wind tunnel with this truck." "And we have customers who are pay- ing attention to our fuel economy, too, through the SmartWay SM program." TMC personnel have long been impressed with Peterbilt's reliability record, and expect no change in that area with the Model 579. Maintenance will see a few changes — but in the end, that task, which TMC performs nearly entirely at its own terminals, should become more efficient, too. "There are a few things different with this truck, but a lot of these changes will make maintenance easier," says Simon. "Things are easier to get to, more accessible. "And I have no doubt that Peterbilt will help us on our learning curve with this new truck and provide us the sup- port we need." PM + resale A stringent preventive maintenance program along with Peterbilt's industry- leading residual value has helped TMC re- sell its equipment with an excellent return in the past. The usual sell point was at around 500,000 miles, but that might be about to change. "First of all, we maintain our trucks at retail standards," says Webb. "Whether they're at 50,000 miles or 500,000 miles, you're not going to be able to tell the dif- ference, and that's important. "But what we're learning about the Peterbilt product is that we can realize a lower total cost of ownership by running them longer. They just keep going, and they hold their value longer. The bottom line is the product keeps get- ting better and better, and the Model 579 is clear evidence of that." TMC has long been a driver's destination, certain- ly due in part to the equip- ment the company oper- ates. Simon says they're targeted by a large number of drivers straight out of driving school, but the reactions from the veterans used to running "long and tall" Peterbilts has been interesting to watch. "Sure, there are some guys who say, 'Give me my hood,' but we've had hun- dreds of drivers in and out of the Model 579 here. They like the comfort, the wide opening between the cab and the sleeper, the cabinet layout, the dash lay- out, the standard disc brakes. And with the low windows, they really like the visibility. It's clearly a very comfortable "Everything is pointing to us realizing an 8% fuel economy improvement with the Model 579." Continued on page 18