Cummins, Mack founders headline first trucking HOF inductee class

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Trucking news and briefs for Monday, Oct. 18, 2021:

Cummins, Mack founders join industry HOF

Trucking godfathers Clessie Lyle Cummins, founder of the Cummins Engine Company, and Jack and Gus Mack, founders of Mack Trucks, headlined the most recent inductee class in the American Trucking and Industry Leader (ATIL) Hall of Fame. Joining them are Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) and trucking radio icon Dave Nemo.

"No transport industry Hall of Fame could exist without paying homage to these elite inductees," Tom Mullen, ATIL Hall of Fame Chair, said of this year's class. "The impact they have on the industry is ongoing and everlasting. The American Trucking and Industry Leader Hall of Fame honors the pioneers of the trucking industry, whether they are drivers, company owners, or innovators to the industry."

A ribbon-cutting ceremony officially announcing the opening of the ATIL Hall of Fame and the first inductees was held Friday in conjunction with the American Truck Historical Society’s 50th Anniversary celebration at the ATHS home office in Kansas City.

Isuzu, Decisiv debut new service platform

The Isuzu Connect rollout will focus on quality and efficiency for dealership users by leveraging dealer management system (DMS) integrations such as CDK, Karmak Fusion, Procede and others.The Isuzu Connect rollout will focus on quality and efficiency for dealership users by leveraging dealer management system (DMS) integrations such as CDK, Karmak Fusion, Procede and others.

Isuzu Commercial Truck of America Friday confirmed a long term collaboration with Decisiv, a provider of dealer Service Relationship Management (SRM) software. The program, branded Isuzu Connect, has been enhanced for the Isuzu dealer network and is being implemented in all Isuzu commercial truck dealerships across the U.S. and Canada over a multi-year rollout plan.

Customers will quickly notice the benefits of Isuzu Connect, through next-level quality of communication, timely estimates and increased repair accuracy—meaning trucks are fixed right the first time. Ultimately, reduced downtime (up to 25% less) will drive customer satisfaction, retention and repeat business.

“Isuzu Connect will align the Isuzu dealer network with our goal of enhancing the customer experience in a time where the product and technology gaps have continued to get narrower,” said Shaun Skinner, president of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America and Isuzu Commercial Truck of Canada. “Our dealership associates will have more tools at their fingertips, including Isuzu’s Uptime Support team, to minimize downtime and maintain a high level of efficiency within their service and parts operations.”

The Isuzu Connect rollout will focus on quality and efficiency for dealership users by leveraging dealer management system (DMS) integrations such as CDK, Karmak Fusion, Procede and others. This eliminates redundancies and utilizes the best of both the Isuzu Connect platform and each dealership’s DMS. Isuzu will employ an effective, in-dealer training process that ensures dealer personnel are comfortable using the system for immediate productivity.

“As customer expectations continue to change in a constantly evolving market, Isuzu will also continue to integrate its systems with the Isuzu Connect platform to further streamline routine functions used most frequently by dealership associates,” said Skinner. “Future connection integrations will also support new vehicle technology such as EV trucks, telematics, maintenance reminders and vehicle sharing. Isuzu is committed to ensuring Isuzu customers realize maximum value from their investment in our extensive line of Class 3-7 low cab forward diesel- and gasoline-powered trucks.”