Freightliner Corporation has agreed to acquire an ownership interest in TravelCenters of America (TA), the nationwide network of full-service highway travel centers. Through its partnership with TravelCenters of America, Freightliner will augment its existing network of 300 Freightliner dealers with an express parts and service network of 124 TA locations that are equipped for truck service in 39 states.
Freightliner continues to build and put a record number of trucks on the road," said Freightliner President Jim Hebe. "By combining the service forces of our Freightliner dealers with the TravelCenters of America service network, we are stepping up our support of customers with increased locations, service options, and service capacity available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
"TA has an outstanding reputation for quick response and quality truck service, and they have existing relationships with many of Freightliner's customers," Hebe said. "Its center provided maintenance and repair services to some 2,800 trucks a day in 1998, so we are gaining a tremendous partner and will integrate then fully into our comprehensive customer support system."
TA locations will be incorporated into Freightliner's 24-hour customer assistance center database and be a major referral point for emergency and roadside repairs. They also will have access to Freightliner parts distribution, service, and technical information systems. Freightliner's independent dealer network will remain the front-line of service for Freightliner trucks. TA will focus on express service and light repair jobs such as PM, brake, electrical, heating and air conditioning, DOT inspections, and trailer maintenance and repair.