When was the last time you took an in-depth look at your vehicle specifications? I wonder if many fleets take the approach of "don't fix it if it ain't broke" when it comes to spec'ing. If you are getting the performance and fuel economy you are looking for, it can be easy to just repeat existing specs when ordering new trucks.
While there is nothing wrong with that approach, it could result in missing out on some new fuel-saving or safety options that have come into the market since you last reviewed your vehicle specs. In addition, given the pressure from both regulators and some customers to operate in a more sustainable manner, now seems like a good time to at least consider some alternative-powered vehicles in applications where they make sense.
It might be time to review your existing vehicle specs and also look at factors such as reliability, fuel economy, driver acceptance, etc. Consider talking to your drivers and technicians about what they like about your existing trucks, where they are experiencing problems, or where they would like to see improvements. Review maintenance and repair data to spot failure trends that could indicate the need to change a spec in order to improve reliability or durability.
It may also be a good idea to take a look at how your customers' needs have changed and whether your current specification can meet those needs in a cost-effective manner.
See also: Fontana: Proper spec’ing and maintenance are a winning combination
Sit down with the truck OEM field salespeople and ask them to explain new optional features, especially those that will improve the fuel economy and safety of your vehicles.
You can either look at just tweaking your existing specs or you can take a broader approach and evaluate everything starting with the horsepower and torque spec of the engine and the transmission.
The end goal is to make sure your trucks are spec’d to match the duty cycles in which they operate. You don’t want to over-spec vehicles because then you will pay for features you don’t need. Nor do you want an under-spec’d vehicle because then it won’t perform as needed and will result in additional repair-related expenses.
Truck OEM engineers continually look at ways to improve the base trucks and optional features. Your customers’ needs may be changing as well. Now is a good time to take a deep dive into your vehicle specs and make changes that will boost your efficiency.
