Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/573961
COMMERCIAL CARRIER JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2015 61 M astering an unsyn- chronized heavy-duty manual transmission is as much an art as a science. Old-school drivers say they simply don't feel in complete con- trol of a truck unless it has a manual gearbox. Even the most ardent automated manual transmission experts admit that on a good day, a highly skilled driver with a manual transmission is equal to the best computer-controlled transmissions in the world in terms of shifting efficiency and fuel economy. Yet, time appears to be catching up to the manual transmission. Spurred by the pressure to maximize fuel economy and safety and to integrate new drivers into fleet operations quickly and seamlessly, more carriers are spec'ing new truck purchases with automated manual gearboxes. OEMs, including Volvo and Freight- liner, report steady and impressive take rates on AMTs – now routinely spec'd on more than half the new ve- hicles that roll off their factory floors. From a high-level view, the industry trend toward AMTs seems irreversible. But reports of the manual transmis- sion's demise may be premature. David Johnson, president and chief instructor at Theodore, Ala.-based Premier Driving Academy, still be- lieves in training students on manuals because, in his opinion, it gives them a better overall feel for the vehicle. Also, he thinks it is vital for drivers to understand the mechanics and physics of up- and down-shifting. Finally, as a point of pride, he wants to graduate fully trained driv- ers capable of operating any truck on the road today and – just as impor- tantly from the students' perspective – able to go after and get any driving job they want. Still in the majority "The use of automated manual transmissions is definitely increasing in market share as more companies focus on fuel efficiency, driver recruit- ment and driver retention," says Ryan Trzybinski, product strategy manager, commercial powertrain, Eaton. "How- ever, manuals still hold the majority share of transmissions in the NAFTA Manual transmissions have dominated trucking for more than a century – but are they about to be relegated to specialty status? BY JACK ROBERTS