The Mack® mDRIVE® automated manual transmission (AMT) continues to take the industry by storm, recently exceeding 70 percent penetration in Mack Pinnacle™ axle back models and is also now the dominant transmission choice in Pinnacle axle forward models for the first time. The milestones come just one year after Mack announced the mDRIVE as standard equipment on all Pinnacle models.
“The incredible growth for mDRIVE is a testament not only to the tremendous performance benefits it brings, but validation for Mack’s commitment to powertrain integration,” said Stephen Roy, president of Mack Trucks North America. “Our 115 years of integration experience tell us components designed together simply work better, giving our customers the productivity and efficiency benefits they need to be successful.”
Through its sophisticated software, the mDRIVE continuously monitors several driving variables and automatically selects the best gear for conditions to maximize driver productivity, vehicle performance and fuel efficiency. The mDRIVE is designed and built with Mack’s legendary durability and requires minimal service, which can significantly reduce maintenance downtime.
Drivers control the transmission through a dash-mounted shift pad that includes a display to indicate the current gear. Mack’s Co-Pilot™ driver display, located in the center of the gauge cluster, is also integrated with the transmission and displays its status, including the number of upshifts or downshifts available, the current gear and the current operating mode.
In February 2015, Mack introduced the mDRIVE HD, a heavy-duty version of the mDRIVE for heavy haul and vocational applications. Featuring reinforced internal components and revised software, mDRIVE HD is built to handle tough loads and rough terrain. The mDRIVE HD is standard on Mack Granite® and Titan by Mack models.
“Our customers wanted the same benefits of the mDRIVE in vocational applications, so we engineered the tougher mDRIVE HD to meet their needs,” said Stu Russoli, Mack highway and powertrain products marketing manager. “Full production of the mDRIVE HD began in May, and we’re already seeing tremendous customer response.” With their simplified shifting, the mDRIVE and mDRIVE HD not only improve driver comfort, but help attract and retain drivers because it helps reduce fatigue. Safety also benefits, as drivers can focus on the road ahead and not on switching gears.
Both the mDRIVE and mDRIVE HD are monitored by Mack’s GuardDog® Connect telematics solution. GuardDog Connect proactively monitors critical fault codes that could result in a truck being shut down, helping maximize customer uptime.
Dedicated to quality, reliability and total customer satisfaction, Mack Trucks, Inc., has provided its customers with innovative transportation solutions for more than a century. Today, Mack is one of North America’s largest producers of heavy-duty trucks, and Mack® trucks are sold and serviced through an extensive distribution network in more than 45 countries. Mack trucks and diesel engines sold in North America are assembled in the United States. Mack manufacturing locations are certified to the internationally recognized ISO 9001 standard for quality and ISO 14001 standard for environmental management systems. Mack is also a proud sponsor of Share the Road, an American Trucking Associations’ public information campaign aimed at enhancing the safety of our nation’s roadways.
Mack Trucks, Inc. is part of the Volvo Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks, buses, construction equipment and marine and industrial engines. The Group also provides complete solutions for financing and service. The Volvo Group, which employs about 100,000 people, has production facilities in 19 countries and sells its products in more than 190 markets. In 2014, the Volvo Group’s sales amounted to about $38.2 billion. The Volvo Group is a publicly-held company headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden. Volvo shares are listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and are traded OTC in the U.S.
