A great deal of ink has been spilled on integrated powertrains and the trend toward vertical integration at original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), an arrangement in which the OEM owns the component supply chain. But how does this impact a fleet executive seeking to secure new, cutting-edge safety systems, for example? This topic brings me back to a friendly discussion I had with the GM of Marketing and Strategy at a major OEM (which has happened frequently, and I’ve had close to .000 success in winning these discussions). I wrote press copy using the term “vertical integration” and he strongly suggested that I use the description “integration into the car.” At the time, it seemed like a small change, but what is the significance of this day?
Simple fact: Behind the scenes, Tier 1 suppliers are an integral part of the OEM manufacturing and integration process. OEM-owned “vertical” integration is another option for fleets focused on using the most efficient and productive rolling stock ever. The fact that OEMs continue to provide Tier 1 supplier components should be obvious. Heavy truck components need to be integrated and Tier 1 suppliers are the ones to power through excelling at what they do: making sure the vehicle is seamlessly integrated regardless of the system.
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For one example, let’s take a closer look at how Bendix knocks this out of the park on advanced, integrated safety systems by partnering with OEMs and fleets.
“For fleets, the relationship with suppliers is still important and will become more important as technology advances to offer more automated features, but also with added complexity,” explained Richard Baer, vice president of engineering, R&D at Bendix. “This means that problems may arise that would involve a vehicle-level solution – one where the manufacturer and supplier need to work together to correct the problem.”
Baer went on to explain that integration is key to developing and deploying supplier-developed systems. They are much more than simple additions. Think about the purpose of advanced safety systems: If they’re not deeply integrated into the truck, they probably won’t be effective. This is a scary thought. But remember, today’s advanced safety systems are so effective that they are being used as the basis for automated driving assistance, connectivity, and advanced fleet management systems. The integration of the Bendix Wingman family of advanced safety systems into today’s trucks is a great example of supplier-OEM collaboration that works for you.
“The application and validation process (for the Wingman safety system) is extensive,” Baer said. “Multiple complex systems need to communicate in a unified way. We integrate human-machine interfaces (HMI) into the dashboard, and communication from the Wingman to the powertrain creates a need for a coordinated launch of the autonomous systems.
These are just a few points of integration. Baer noted that all Wingman systems must work with the truck’s drivetrain to communicate and allow for proper operation of the truck. Validation between the advanced safety system and the powertrain is necessary to mitigate launch problems, for example. The reality of growing adoption of the Wingman across OEM nameplates requires Bendix to create a unified experience regardless of make and model.
“Unified alert strategies, especially critical alerts, can help reduce the potential for problems as drivers move between vehicles and simplify the process of communicating vital information,” Baer said. “Finally, we have to consider fleets that want to maintain a similar experience for their drivers through retrofit technologies to bring older vehicles up to newer applications.
“In many cases, the relationship with the original equipment manufacturer is critical to ensuring that the infrastructure is in place to support the upgrade and that integration with other systems in the vehicle is seamless. This is one of the reasons we look forward to the OEM launching the technology First, before we offer a promotion.
It’s all about identifying the problem, targeting the solution, and then executing the plan, starting with deployment, training and use. This includes training your group of technicians, which is critical to ensuring the acceptance and successful implementation of new systems within the fleet. Fleet managers may be tempted to shut down safety systems due to driver complaints. (We’re all looking at you, lane departure warnings.) But upon inspection, the real problem is that the driver doesn’t understand how the system works in their own car. Suppliers should provide training on what the system does and, just as importantly, what it does not do. This can go a long way in helping drivers gain an appreciation for how the system helps.
“When it comes to training, a close relationship with the supplier and OEM is important,” said Fred Andersky, director of customer solutions for Bendix’s controls group. “Suppliers better understand the complexities of their systems and can provide technical training support to help technicians properly diagnose, thus offering a more cost-effective solution to this problem. Too often we see warranty claims on expensive items like ECUs come in when a simple modification Or replacing the sensor may solve the situation and that is costly for the fleet, OEMs and suppliers.”
Vehicle integration has never been stronger as fleets demand more of their equipment and OEMs and suppliers race to deliver. But in your pursuit of equipment excellence, remember that forgetting one piece of this puzzle is a mistake that can impact performance, safety and cost of ownership. The bottom line for today’s fleets: You need to work closely with your suppliers, like Bendix, to identify specific needs and OEM collaboration with your chosen supplier to ensure proper vehicle integration. Equipment innovation has and will continue to come from collaboration.
