An old man's career goes flat, Snackbar moves to open deck

They are pushing for complete vertical integration, meaning an all Paccar product from the rear differential and transmission thru the engine and body panels. I expect them to keep pushing on this as they are the last North American OEM with multiple choices for engines and drivetrains. Daimler has really cut back on the available options for Freightliner and Western Star, as has International with them pushing their new A16 motor.

As the European manufacturers take over the truck world we will see less and less available options, and with them all doing it at roughly the same time there won't be anywhere to turn to for options, at least not at a scale that a major fleet could benefit from. Think about it, Pete and KW have been Paccar products for decades but they really kept most of the European influence away until Freightliner and Western Star were already well into their vertical integration movement. Now with Volvo owning Mack trucks and Volkswagen owning International there isn't a truly North American heavy truck OEM left, so now they can globalize the North American truck market in the name of efficiency and economy, just like the auto market did a decade ago.

The big fleets gave up on getting exactly what they wanted years ago, and the pandemic supply chain issues really brought that to an end. How many one brand fleets did we see become mixed fleets during the last few years because of the lack of availability. Manufacturers have learned that their customer base will take whatever is available so they can keep working even if they gripe about it.

I don't like it any more than you do but it is the reality we are faced with. It has hurt my company's specialized and custom truck segment, probably more than the economic uncertainty and/or downturn has. I am seeing our die hard red oval custom truck customers, many with decades of highly customized trucks, taking off the shelf equipment and not caring anymore. It is sad to witness what is happening to the industry.

 

good people there. Hopefully they were quick on the unloading

 

Mack has been doing vertical integration for 70 years. Or more.

 

what do you flatbedders think about this load securement job?

 

Idiotic to say the least

 

i still see a bunch of Internationals with Cummins motors. I’m pretty sure the Crapforce motors left a bad taste in most customers’ mouths

 

Every trailer should have a manual over inflate and dump, like our double drops do. Even the flatbeds, but then you have to hire drivers smart enough to use those controls.