Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) has announced a strategic partnership with Class8, a freight technology company delivering advanced digital solutions for the trucking industry.
DTNA says this collaboration reflects the truck maker’s commitment to delivering innovative digital solutions that help customers operate smarter, safer and more profitably.
Through this partnership, Freightliner Cascadia owners can gain access to Class8’s suite of transformative services designed to simplify operations and maximize margins. Initially, DTNA states Class8 will be available for customers with Fourth and Fifth Generation Cascadias, with availability expanding to other Freightliner and Western Star models throughout 2026.
- Free Electronic Logging Device (ELD) service: A no-cost, dongle-free solution compatible with a customer’s own device simplifies compliance with Hours of Service (HOS) regulations without installation or subscription fees.
- Load Optimization: Real-time recommendations to identify the most profitable freight opportunities based on rates, timing, and empty miles.
- Dispatch AI: Multi-leg planning that connects spot and contract loads into efficient routes, improving utilization and stabilizing networks.
“Our service makes it simple for fleets to adopt what they need, when they need it,” says Chris Atkinson, CEO of Class8. “The free and wireless ELD service lowers the cost of getting connected, and our Load Optimization, and Dispatch AI give carriers practical levers to improve margins without adding complexity.”
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The addition of Class8 expands DTNA’s portfolio of strategic partners delivering solutions that improve the profitability of its customers. These partnerships reinforce DTNA’s leadership in connected technology by complementing the company’s proprietary Detroit Connect platform with added functionality and flexibility, the company says.
- Virtual Vehicle: An open telematics platform, built in strategic partnership with Platform Science, enabling fleets to seamlessly deploy, manage, and scale third-party applications directly on vehicles using integrated in-cab and cloud connectivity.
- Geotab Integrated Telematics: A plug-and-play solution providing real-time insights into vehicle health, driver behavior, and compliance, helping fleets reduce downtime and improve performance.
Together, DTNA adds these solutions accompany Detroit Connect, available in varying configurations across Freightliner and Western Star trucks. Detroit Connect delivers actionable insights to enhance diagnostics, safety, and performance via the Detroit Connect Portal through features like:
- Virtual Technician: Remote diagnostics for fault codes triggered on the truck, including service recommendations and the nearest service locations with the rights parts in stock.
- Remote Parameter Updates: Enables authorized users to modify select vehicle settings over-the-air using a secure cellular connection.
- Remote Engine Reports: Automatic transmission of Detroit Diesel Electronic Control (DDEC) reports directly into the DCP, streamlining fuel efficiency and diagnostic analyses.
- Safety Plus: Visibility into Detroit Assurance safety systems with interactive, easy-to-understand insights to help fleet operators coach drivers and reinforce safe driving habits.
“At Daimler Truck North America, our growing services portfolio is curated to create real and immediate value for our customers,” says Sanjiv Khurana, general manager, of the Fleet Services Group at DTNA. “Detroit Connect, our proprietary solution, already offers customers remote visibility into the productivity of their trucks, drivers, and overall operations. By complementing these offerings with partnerships like Class8, we’re helping customers unlock new levels of efficiency, safety, and profitability. These collaborations are a cornerstone of our long-term vision to lead the industry’s digital transformation.”
