Commercial
vehicle industry leaders gathered in September for NTEA’s 2024 Executive
Leadership Summit held at Saint John’s Resort in Plymouth, Michigan. This
annual event focuses on trends, forecasts and insights designed to further
industry knowledge, growth and profitability.
AI
in the Work Truck Industry: Navigating Opportunities and Challenges for Your
Company
Attendees
discovered how AI can enhance efficiency, streamline operations and support
critical business activities, as well as, how this continuously evolving
technology can be effectively scaled and deployed by businesses of all sizes,
gaining crucial insights into the necessary safeguards to mitigate risks
associated with AI implementation. Whether looking to refine business models or
innovate ahead of the curve, this session helped equip attendees with the
knowledge and strategies to integrate AI into their business landscapes. This
engaging session was designed not only to educate but also to inspire action
and innovation, ensuring that business remains at the forefront of the industry
in the Age of AI.
Presented
by: Johanna Snider, CEO, Blue Cypress
Moderated
by: John Davis, Host/Creator/Managing Director, MotorWeek
Engineering
the Future: Considerations in Chassis Design for Upfitters and Manufacturers
Engineers
from leading chassis manufacturers discussed the process of commercial vehicle
and chassis design for the work truck industry, including the stages from minor
updates to all-new designs and learn the critical decision points in the
development timeline. This session equipped attendees with insights into the
challenges and opportunities in the chassis design process, and provided
practical strategies for collaboration and adaptation in chassis design to meet
market needs effectively.
Presented
by: Lyron Maxey, Executive Chief Engineer — Global Mid-Size Trucks,
Medium-Duty Trucks and Vans, General Motors; Mitesh Naik, Director of
Product Planning and Strategy, Peterbilt; and Michael Pruitt, Chief
Engineer Medium Duty, E-Series, and Stripped Chassis, Ford Motor Company
Moderated
by: John Davis, Host/Creator/Managing Director, MotorWeek
State
of Emissions Regulations in the Work Truck Industry
This
panel explored the complexities of CARB and EPA regulations within the
commercial vehicle industry. Presenters discussed how these regulations
intersect and the specific challenges they pose to the industry along with
implementation timelines and requirements for different vehicle types and
classes, as well as provided insights into how emission regulations impact
manufacturing and fleet operations, and how understanding these rules can guide
strategic vehicle procurement and upgrades. This session was designed to equip
industry leaders with the knowledge to make informed decisions, helping ensure
compliance and optimizing operational efficiency in an evolving regulatory
environment.
Presented
by: Jon Costantino, Principal, Tradesman Advisors Inc.; Mihai
Dorobantu, Director, Technology Planning and Government Affairs, Eaton
Mobility Group; and Tom Swenson, Director, Global Regulatory Affairs,
Cummins
Moderated
by: John Davis, Host/Creator/Managing Director, MotorWeek
Strategic
Insights into Commercial Vehicle Data and Trends
This
session examined the latest trends by vehicle use case, body type and
powertrain through a lens of how these elements are driving the commercial
vehicle industry forward. Using enhanced vehicle data, this session offered key
insights to assist in making informed strategic decisions by leveraging
industry demographics to navigate through the market’s evolving landscape.
Presented
by: Andrew Wrobel, Commercial Vehicle Insight Strategist, NTEA
Work
Truck Industry Economic Overview and Market Forecast
NTEA’s
senior director of market data and research shared economic and market
information to help optimize business planning processes. Attendees learned
more about commercial vehicle industry market trends and how they’re affected
by U.S. and global economic cycles, including a North American chassis sales
forecast — a critical component of market planning — as well as insights on potential industry challenges and opportunities in the
coming year.
Presented
by: Steve Latin-Kasper, Senior Director of Market Data and Research,
NTEA
Learn
more at ntea.com/executivesummit.