Penske Truck Rental says it is making collision avoidance systems and air disc brakes standard on commercial tractors within its rental fleet. It’s the latest step in the ongoing, rapidly expanding driver assist safety system deployment that is the run up to autonomous vehicles.
Penske has ordered more than 2,000 commercial semi-trucks from Freightliner, Volvo and Navistar with the new spec. The 2018 model year units are set to begin going into service, and will be available for rental starting as early as February. Additional units with this increased safety spec will continue to come into service as Penske’s fleet is renewed.
“These added vehicle features underscore our commitment to over-the-road safety for our customers and their drivers,” said Don Mikes, senior vice president of rental at Penske. “These systems can help commercial drivers avoid collisions and the braking system provides additional stopping power when needed.”
Penske claims to have one of the newest rental truck fleets with sleeper and day cab semi-tractors, straight trucks, flatbeds, refrigerated vans, and trailers. Penske rents light-duty, medium-duty and heavy-duty commercial vehicles from Ford, GMC, Hino, Isuzu, Freightliner, International and Volvo.
Penske also offers do-it-yourself movers rental trucks, as well as moving equipment, packing supplies, and accessories.
Penske operates more than 240,000 vehicles and serves customers from more than 1,000 locations in North America, South America, Europe, Australia and Asia.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
