Truck Parts and Service | Heavy Duty Trucking, Aftermarket, Service Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/665998
8 Industry Focus T R U C K P A R T S & S E R V I C E | A p r i l 2 0 1 6 Caterpillar is discontinuing production of its vocational trucks and exiting the market. In May of last year, CAT rolled out two new refreshed trucks – the CT680L and the CT680LG – but based on the current business climate in the truck industry and a thorough evaluation of its business, CAT says it has decided to withdraw from the market. "Remaining a viable competitor in this market would require signifi cant additional investment to develop and launch a complete portfolio of trucks," says Ramin Younessi, vice president with responsibility for Caterpillar's Indus- trial Power Systems Division. "Upon an updated review, we determined there was not a suffi cient market opportunity to justify the investment." Rush Enterprises Debuts Service Platform Rush Enterprises, Inc., introduces RushCare Service Connect, a state-of- the-art, service communication system that provides customers with an online on-demand, 360-degree view of the service process for vehicles in Rush Truck Centers service departments. "RushCare Service Connect is the next step for our company in helping our customers improve uptime," says W.M. "Rusty" Rush, chairman, CEO and president at Rush Enterprises. Within the RushCare Service Con- nect online portal, customers can receive real-time repair updates about their ve- hicles, establish two-way communication with service advisors and service manag- ers and have complete transparency regarding their vehicle status. Also in the online portal, customers can request new service, review and approve repair orders quickly and easily as well as document all aspects of service events, anytime and anywhere, the company says. "We are proud to invest in this state- of-the-art technology to create a more effi cient repair process for our custom- ers," Rush says. CAT Exits Truck Business Phillips Industries Debuts Updated Catalog A new, updated product catalog is now available from Phillips Industries. The Phillips catalog can be obtained in print format or accessed through a variety of web based platforms, including the online catalog on the Phillips website. Mobile apps are available by download- ing the 'Phillips Catalog' app through iTunes/Google Play. The online catalog is fully searchable by part number, name and/or product category. VIPAR Adds Two Distributors Magnum Products Group and Tide- water Fleet Supply have joined VIPAR Heavy Duty. Texas-based Magnum Products Group stocks a full line of heavy-duty tractor and trailer parts, tools and equipment, shop supplies, lubrication equipment and industrial supplies. Tidewater Fleet Supply is located in the Southeast and supplies full se- lection of light-, medium- and heavy- duty parts, in addition to specializing in fl ywheel grinding, custom made A/C and power steering hoses, battery cables, starter and alternator testing and battery testing. International Debuts Over-The-Air Engine Reprogramming International Truck announces over- the-air (OTA) reprogramming of engine control modules (ECM) for all International Truck models powered by its N9, N10 and N13 proprietary engines is now available as a no charge offering. Additionally, International says OTA reprogramming will be avail- able for purchase for all International truck models powered by proprietary engines 2010 and newer through International Truck dealers. "With this important step, over- the-air reprogramming is becoming a reality for truck operators," says Bill Kozek, Navistar president, Truck and Parts. "This fi rst-in-the-industry innovation will allow truck users to update their engine control modules with unprecedented ease and conve- nience, delivering improved uptime and other benefi ts over a safe, secure Wi-Fi connection."