Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/378850
20 COMMERCIAL CARRIER JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2014 N avistar introduced Diamond Renewed, a comprehen- sive inspection and mechanical reconditioning process for International used trucks taken in via trade that it said will improve the value and marketability of the trucks when returned to the wholesale, retail and dealer marketplaces. David Gerrard, Navistar's senior vice president of distribution, said the Diamond Renewed program is anchored by three core principles: an exhaustive inspection process, a two-year/200,000- mile warranty and Navistar's new OnCommand Connection up- time monitoring program, standard on all reconditioned vehicles. "Our comprehensive reconditioning process includes more than 180 vehicle and engine inspection points to drive consistency across the International brand," Gerrard said during a press event at the company's headquarters in Lisle, Ill. The Diamond Renewed process was developed at the com- pany's Used Equipment Reconditioning Center in Indianapolis, where technicians conduct mechanical and aesthetic recondition- ing. Work includes cleaning or replacing diesel particulate filters and diesel oxidation catalysts, exhaust gas recirculation calibration software updates, checking and repairing brake systems, conduct- ing major body repair, painting the frame rail and more. To date, UERC has reconditioned more than 1,200 units. "While the UERC supports the company's 15 used truck centers, we also have engaged the dealer channel in this program," said Gerrard. "Any vehicle that is badged with Diamond Renewed, whether it has been to the UERC or to the dealer, will have under- gone our standardized reconditioning process." The program covers model-year 2010 or newer International ProStar, TranStar and LoneStar models powered by MaxxForce EGR engines with less than 400,000 miles and up to 450 horse- power. – Lucas Deal Navistar eyes used truck market with Diamond Renewed New cabover maker Rainier enters market N ew components, parts and pieces enter the market practically every week, but it's not often a new OEM jumps into the fray. Enter Gary Jones and his startup, Rainier Truck & Chassis. Jones, the company's president and a 30-plus-year veteran of truck and chassis design and engineering, has spent much of this year assembling a dealership network for his Yakima, Wash.-built Rainier cabover truck. "We've gotten a lot of interest from former GM truck dealers and UD dealers," he said of two dealership groups whose products have left the market. Jones said dealers are intrigued by the truck's common platform, making it simple to service. "Our game plan is to build a bullet- proof reliable truck – a 'keep it simple, stupid' work truck," he said. "Serviceability is everything. It's not a very complicated truck. It's old school." A standard Cummins 6.7 turbocharged diesel engine comes with onboard diagnostics, a high-pressure common-rail fuel injection system, a VGT turbocharger and a diesel particulate filter. For 2015, the ISB 6.7L's onboard diagnostics system includes OBD-2 with more memory capacity. All Rainier engine offerings are mated to an Allison six-speed automatic transmission, and Jones said the Cummins-Allison powertrain has struck a chord with prospective dealers. "Most of them already have the technicians to service Cummins and Allison," he said. Jones said the key to growing Rainier's market share successfully will be dictated by the consistency in which the company can build quality trucks. "We say our niche is custom-built COE trucks, and we mean that," Jones said. "If we only do 1,000 trucks a year, then so be it. I think we will attain that in the next 24 months after we ramp (production) up." The company started sales June 16 with initial dealership orders. Each dealer in the initial wave of 20 ordered three trucks per their licensing agreement, and Jones said many of those units already have been sold. "There's been a lot of interest in Classes 4-6," he said. Rainier also plans to offer PSI gasoline engines for all of its trucks. Class 6 and 7 models can come with the 8.8-liter version with 322- hp or 475-hp ratings with 600 lb.-ft. of torque. Class 4 and 5 models can come with the 6-liter version with a 345-hp rating and 373 lb.-ft. of torque. – Jason Cannon Navistar formed a dealer advisory group to assist in creating the Diamond Renewed program's framework. Rainier is on schedule to begin production of its cabover truck in October and says that more than 20 dealers across 18 states have been signed.