With the launch of the new Actros, Mercedes-Benz is the first automobile manufacturer to offer a telematics system as standard. The FleetBoard system, an in-house development from Mercedes-Benz, will be available in all new Actros trucks throughout Europe at no extra charge for the hardware. The system will also function effectively in mixed fleets comprising various brands of vehicle.
New customers will have an opportunity to test the Vehicle Management and Time Management services free of charge for four months. FleetBoard is offering free driver training on economical driving practice during this test phase. Experience shows that the use of FleetBoard reduces fuel consumption by 5% - 15% in the short term.
A foresighted and economical style of driving also reduces wear. As a result, the maintenance interval for vehicles with activated FleetBoard can be extended by up to 30,000 km.
Companies which already have a different telematics system in use can also put FleetBoard to the test. It is possible to run two systems on board in parallel.
At the end of the test phase, the customer can actively decide to extend the service contract. The customer can then select the desired scope of services which he wishes to continue using from a comprehensive service portfolio. The minimum resultant monthly charge is € 59 per vehicle.
A one-off FleetBoard fee of € 800 will also be payable after the test phase. The customer can avoid this charge by opting for a Complete Mercedes-Benz truck service contract, however, covering all repair and maintenance work.
This results in a 50% reduction in hardware and service costs in comparison to the previous FleetBoard offering – with a broader scope of services into the bargain.
Markus Lipinsky, Managing Director of Daimler FleetBoard GmbH, stresses: "With this innovative product offering, FleetBoard is going that crucial step further and offering customers concrete savings from the very first mile. In conjunction with the most economical truck available, FleetBoard enables fleet managers to exploit the vehicles' potential to the full. With the entry-level costs for professional telematics now also reduced substantially, there is no longer any reason to go without such systems."
FleetBoard EcoSupport – trainer on board
FleetBoard EcoSupport provides the driver with a tool which analyses his current driving style in real time and provides direct feedback.
FleetBoard EcoSupport is available in every Actros, irrespective of whether the FleetBoard system is activated. Criteria relating to an economical style of driving, such as steady speed, pedal movements, use of wear-free brakes, roll behaviour and similar are continuously analysed and evaluated. The calculation algorithm is fully compatible with FleetBoard Performance Analysis.
Truck Maintenance Management and telediagnostics reduce downtimes
Beyond this, Mercedes-Benz offers its customers a further special service on the basis of the FleetBoard data. Truck Maintenance Management enables fleet operators to assign the scheduling of maintenance work on their truck to a Mercedes-Benz service partner. The service partner then monitors the due dates for impending servicing and plans the servicing together with the fleet manager, so as to minimise downtimes for the vehicles.
Minimising downtimes is also the aim of reactive telediagnostics. In the event of a breakdown, the driver can transmit the diagnostic data to the workshop via FleetBoard at the push of a button. The service team member can analyse the fault symptoms prior to setting off for the breakdown site and can take appropriate preparatory measures for a swift remedy to the situation on site.
Comprehensive choice of services
The Vehicle Management services help to optimise the deployment of vehicles and to improve driving styles. This leads to reduced fuel consumption and wear-related costs.
The Logistics Management services support the logistics processes in the area of job scheduling. An additional terminal in the vehicle, the DispoPilot, displays the job data and facilitates communications with the driver. Customised workflows can be defined in accordance with the requirements of the individual company concerned.
The Time Management services enable recording of the drivers' working hours for further processing, e.g. in payroll or expenses accounting systems. The Tacho Management functions also belong to this area of services. Download of drivers' cards and the mass storage unit provides a simple and automatic means of meeting the statutory requirements on the storage of data.
FleetBoard services also remain available for other brands of vehicle on the familiar terms.
Further information on the Daimler FleetBoard product range is available at www.fleetboard.com.
Source: Daimler AG
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