Baking & Snack - August 2019 - 156

VEHICLES

The real cost of ownership for a commercial
truck involves more
considerations than just
the price tag.
Freightliner Custom Chassis

after the purchase can be even more critical.
Together, these calculations shed some light on if
the vehicle is the real deal or if it should be a nodeal by answering this simple question:
What does this vehicle really cost?
"In calculating the real cost of ownership, the sticker price is one metric of
many," Mr. Henke said. "Using thirdparty testing, we are able to calculate
the 'real cost' of ownership." According
to Freightliner, this expense includes
five overall metrics that encompass
other metrics: fuel efficiency; safety
with braking, maneuverability, ergonomics and curbside access; the quality
of design, engineering and manufacturing;
uptime services and support; and fuel options with
gasoline, diesel, propane and CNG.
Isuzu has a vehicle calculator for the long-term cost
of ownership that its sales team uses every time it quotes
a customer. It helps companies understand that even
though one vehicle is less expensive, the cost to operate it over time, from mileage to maintenance to downtime, makes it more costly than another vehicle that has
a more expensive initial price point.
There are many ways to save on delivery vehicle costs,
too. Mr. Tabel said that Isuzu has fleet incentives for
any business with 10 or more vehicles in operation. The
company also includes resale programs for its customers. Additionally, it offers a Priority Service Maintenance
Program service to decrease a customer's cost of ownership. It includes oil changes, tire replacements, brake re-

placements and more. "For businesses, maintenance costs
could be a make or break month," Mr. Tabel noted.
"At Isuzu, they can purchase today's pricing for years out,
so they know what that vehicle is going to cost them."
It's not enough to go to a lot, pick and purchase the
first truck that looks like it will fit product and has an
affordable price on the tag. Although it's not the most
enjoyable activity for a company, there are questions
regarding quantity, route, product and other needs that
must be answered.
"Talking with the dealer is the most important thing
you can do," Mr. Tabel said. "Make sure you are specific
in explaining your business needs to ultimately ensure
you get the right truck for the right job."

The future of commercial vehicles
For transportation, requirements
such as the Hours of Service rule
are moving the industry forward.
"With the California Air
Resources Board, we'll have two
significant emission changes to
vehicles," said Brian Tabel, executive director of marketing, Isuzu
Commercial Truck of America, Inc.
"The first requirement will include
changes in how vehicles can and
will operate, being mandated by
the government. In the same vein,
you have impact to drivers with
electronic logging device rule,
which tracks what drivers can
and cannot do."
156 Baking & Snack August 2019 / www.bakingandsnack.com

Technology is also making a
major difference in the industry,
for personal cars and commercial
trucks. Daimler Group, an automotive company and parent company
to Freightliner Custom Chassis,
has an initiative called CASE
Connectivity, Autonomous, Shared
& Services, Electric that seeks
to make travel more efficient, safe,
comfortable, technological and selfdrivable. "Daimler's CASE initiative
means we don't rest on our laurels,"
said Bryan Henke, product marketing, Freightliner Custom Chassis.
"We're consistent and thorough in
our search to making chassis that

meet the needs of the walk-in van
market, be that in advancements in
connectivity, fuel efficiency, components and design."
Braking, lane departure and cruise
control are only part of the autonomous driving innovations to come.
"Although the truck may drive itself,
those baked goods aren't going to
be unloaded by themselves," Mr.
Tabel said.
"The technology for the driving
may be here now, but the infrastructure of power grids and power
stations to be able to handle a fleet
of cars or trucks on electricity is just
not here today."

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Baking & Snack - August 2019

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