KENWORTH Truck Company used its NTEA session to talk about its new truck plant, its European cabover, and a finance program that can help customers purchase vocational trucks.
Kenworth has begun working with body builders to provide financing for truck customers.
“The body builder is the first contact with the customer,” said Mike Parrish, medium-duty marketing manager. “This relationship puts him in contact with Paccar Financial and is somewhat of a one-stop shopping arrangement. The body builder can take care of the customer's truck, truck body, and financial needs.”
Parrish encouraged NTEA members to contact Kenworth to discuss details of setting up the program.
The Ste Therese, Quebec, plant opened a year and a half ago. It has more than 400,000 square feet and is dedicated to manufacturing medium duty trucks.
“That is unusual for Kenworth and Paccar,” Parrish said during the Kenworth presentation at the NTEA convention. “It is state-of-the-art and ISO certified.”
Kenworth also provided details regarding its new K300, a truck produced in Europe but with U S components to make parts more convenient.
Among the features of the medium-duty cabover:
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Cummins ISB diesel engine rated at 185 hp is standard. Ratings of 205, 225, and 240 are available.
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Dana-Spicer axles — a choice of 10,000-lb or 12,000-lb front and 21,000-lb rear.
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Short (68.5") BBC.
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GVW ratings of 26,000 and 33,000 pounds.
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Fuller six-speed manual transmission is standard, with Allison MD 3060P and Fuller AutoShift transmissions available as options.
Newest options include the 26,000-pound GVW rating, hydraulic brakes, and Allison 2000 Series transmission.
The Kenworth dealer network has more than 400 locations throughout North America, many of which offer mobile service.
Kenworth operates its own call center. It is staffed seven days a week, 24 hours per day, by Kenworth personnel — including people with manufacturing, engineering, and service backgrounds. Using a mapping system, Kenworth is able to locate the closest service location to the caller. The first priority is to refer the caller to a Kenworth dealer. If the dealer is closed or unable to handle the problem, the caller is referred to one of 20,000 independent service providers that Kenworth has certified as a backup to its dealer network.
“This is a free service, regardless of whether the caller drives a Kenworth,” Parrish said.