| Medium Duty Manual transmissions remain a proven, cost-effective option for fl eets with skilled drivers. Automatics offer a more comfortable driving experience, particularly for less skilled drivers and for those that have to wear more hats, like operating truck-mounted equipment and acting as salespeople and shelf stockers. Photo couresty of Daimler Trucks North America Transmission trends in medium duty fl eets By Mike Schmidt, Managing Editor Training, maintenance and fuel consumption are all key considerations Today, medium duty fl eets of all types and sizes are forced to cope with the reality that fewer and fewer drivers are capable of operating vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. According to Larry Love, executive director, global marketing, Allison Transmission – a manufacturer of fully automatic transmissions for medium and heavy duty commercial vehicles (www.allisontransmission.com) – these fl eets are also fi nding automatic transmissions are easier and less costly to maintain, resulting in a lower lifetime cost as well as improved vehicle uptime. Furthermore, according to Alison Th omas, product strategy manager, medium duty transmissions, Eaton – a diversifi ed industrial products manufacturer in the fl uid power, industrial and commercial controls, automotive and truck industries (www.eaton.com) – automation rates The ever-shrinking pool of experienced commercial vehicle operators has had a considerable impact on how medium duty fl eets make purchasing decisions today. In order to maximize their returns on investments in vehicles, these fl eets must consider a number of factors, including, but not limited to, training, maintenance and fuel consumption. 28 FLEET MAINTENANCE ❚ OCTOBER 2016 ❚ VehicleServicePros.com
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