Mack Trucks announced Thursday it has achieved a significant milestone in its connected vehicle journey, with more than 200,000 Class 8 trucks built with its proprietary telematics gateway since 2014.
The truck maker says the achievement underscores Mack’s commitment to maximizing customer uptime through innovative connectivity solutions
Connected Mack trucks are supported around the clock by Mack OneCall agents at the company's 24/7Uptime Center, ensuring customers receive continuous support for their operations.
"This milestone represents more than just connected trucks – it demonstrates our commitment to providing customers with the tools and support needed to maximize uptime and operational efficiency,” says Jonathan Randall, president of Mack Trucks North America. "Every connected Mack truck on the road today benefits from our integrated approach to vehicle diagnostics, maintenance and performance optimization. Connected vehicles include diagnostics through Mack GuardDog Connect, remote software updates via Mack Over The Air and fleet monitoring services through the Mack Connect portal.”
The proprietary telematics gateway, standard on all Mack trucks with Mack engines since late 2014, powers several key services. Mack states GuardDog Connect serves as a proactive diagnostic and repair planning solution that monitors critical fault codes and immediately notifies customers of issues requiring attention. The system categorizes alerts by severity and provides detailed repair information, allowing fleets to make informed decisions about service needs. The company reached 100,000 connected vehicles in 2019.
Additionally, Mack Over The Air (OTA) provides remote software update capability that has demonstrated a reduction of unplanned downtime by more than 24%, the company says. Customers can perform software updates remotely, ensuring their trucks maintain optimal performance without unnecessary shop visits.
Finally, the company says the Mack Connect portal provides real-time visibility into vehicle location, fuel economy and safety metrics, enabling fleet managers to optimize their operations and improve efficiency. Mack Connect allows its customers unprecedented visibility into key performance as well as the status of any GuardDog or Mack OTA information.
The connected vehicle portal also supports proactive maintenance services through Mack's service contracts, using real-time vehicle data to anticipate maintenance needs based on actual operating conditions, the company adds.
"The real power of having 200,000 connected vehicles lies in how this technology actively supports our customers’ businesses,” says Patrick Brown, director of strategy at Mack Trucks. "These connected services help our customers maximize productivity and uptime through innovative technology and comprehensive support, ultimately leading to a better return on their investment in Mack trucks.”
