Volkswagen’s MAN division will next year start selling heavy-duty commercial vehicles with new digital services to make its trucks more efficient, as VW looks to challenge rivals Daimler and Volvo AB in the heavy vehicle market.
Truck makers are looking for new revenue from connected services that can make vehicles safer and more efficient. For large truck fleets, which can mean big savings.
MAN has developed a cloud-based platform called RIO capable of connecting those in the freight transport business, including hauliers, dispatchers and receivers while feeding truck drivers traffic and navigation data, VW said ahead of this weeks Hannover Truck Show.
Through the RIO platform, logistics firms will be able to better use vehicle capacity, reduce empty journeys, save fuel and avoid traffic jams, VW said in its statement.
“This is good news for our customers because their business will become more profitable,” VW trucks chief Andreas Renschler said.
Europe’s largest automaker has said it plans to invest hundreds of millions of euros to expand digital tools for trucks, as it aims to catch up with Daimler and other rivals on developing smart logistics and connected trucks.
MAN digital chief Markus Lipinsky said the program had been developed along with partners Continental and TomTom.
“I’m convinced that no technology company can cope by itself with the complexity of the logistics business, that’s why we’re looking for contact with as many partners as possible,” Lipinsky said.
