Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/354293
FC Aerodynamic truck styling was a hard sell at Western Distributing, but not after the company's new Model 579s started providing signifi- cant fuel economy improvements. do with fuel economy.' They've done 6.8 with idle time. Driving with idle time taken out, they've been around 7.1-7.2. "And they're weight-efficient as well. Our reefers haul 45,500 lbs. of payload — that's our commitment to our custom- ers. Peterbilt has always had the light- est tractors in the industry. People are always asking me, 'What does your truck weigh? Are you sure?' We'll spend the dollars for weight savings in options." And even the old-school drivers are showing an appreciation for the modern styling of the Model 579s. "We have a husband and wife team," he says. "They've been around a while and they swore by the long hoods and the 389s. Well, they had an accident and had to take what we had on the lot to replace their 389, and that happened to be a 579. I sort of expected them not to be pleased about it but they're already talking about fixing it up with lights like their long-hood. They're happy, and very impressed with the 579 and the MX. That really says a lot. And they're really knocking down some miles in it, about 5,000-6,000 a week." For Guadagni and Western, the new equipment continues to pay off with driv- ers enjoying the power and styling they expect from a Peterbilt. Improved fuel economy and lower weight delivered by the Model 579 are additional benefits that will have a real effect on the bottom line.