Success Leasing has completed the initial commitment to our three year truck deal for model years 2017, 2018, and 2019. We have entered into agreements to purchase Freightliner Cascadia Evolutions and Peterbilt 579’s with both having automated manual transmissions. The commitment is based on an overall lowest operating cost approach when comparing price/residual, fuel, repairs, and downtime. Also, several factors encouraged us to make the switch to all automated manual transmissions. We believe that automated manuals provide our lessors with the lowest operating cost possible along with additional benefits. We didn’t make this decision lightly. Considerable time was spent on research with existing operators, vendors, OEM’s and other companies.
I have included some frequently asked questions that I have received about automated manual transmissions.
What is Hill Start?
A: It is a feature that enables an operator to hold the hill and prevent rolling backwards for an amount of time.
What is creep mode?
A: A feature on automated manuals to establish a consistent speed when backing to make backing easier and offers a smooth takeoff.
How many automated manuals are on the road?
A: Peterbilt and Freightliner say that over 50% of new trucks being built will be automated manual transmissions.
Can I order a standard?
A: If your intent is to lease purchase, you can order a standard 10 speed transmission with an initial non-refundable deposit of $2,000 at the time of order. This doesn’t affect the amount of lease buy-down required to lease purchase but only affects the initial deposit amount. The initial deposit for an automated manual will stay at the $1,000 non-refundable amount at the time of the order.
What are the benefits of automated manual?
A: We believe automated manuals have many advantages including better fuel mileage and less repair costs.
What about the old automatics?
A: We agree that they weren’t the best, but the transmission has changed considerably over the last three years. We have run this new technology with the Freightliner DT 12 transmission in approximately 10 trucks for the last three years, and the operators are more than pleased with the performance.
We will continue to release information about the automated manuals over the coming months. Please call Success Leasing at 1-800-491-1240 and talk to one of the associates or myself if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Drew Martin
Manager of Success Leasing Program
