Meritor Inc.’s (NYSE: MTOR) aftermarket team unveiled mobile training with two new training trucks during Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week (HDAW) 2014 that will deliver onsite product and systems education to warehouse distributers, independent service garages and fleets in the United States and Canada.
New federal braking regulations are placing the spotlight on truck brakes. In response, the first 12 months that the vans are in service, the training will focus on braking systems, according to Rick Martin, Meritor’s senior manager for aftermarket training. The curriculum will include an overview of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS 121) stopping distance requirements, reduced stopping distance regulations and the new compliance and safety accountability (CSA) structure.
Each of the Nissan high-roof NV3500 trucks, wrapped in Meritor trailer decals, will offer hands-on training to service managers, shop supervisors, service technicians, maintenance directors, drivers and dealer-fleet trainers for drivetrain and undercarriage aftermarket components.
Both trucks are equipped with video monitors and working air systems boards, as well as actual brake hardware. For hands-on training purposes, each van will have actual cam and air disc brake hardware, friction and wheel ends, air valves, air dryers, Meritor WABCO RSS stability control systems, electronic diagnostics, automatic traction control, anti-lock brakes and collision mitigation systems.
A training schedule will be released in early February. Two formats of training will be offered. One will be city-wide training with two three-hour sessions covering eight distinct brake subjects at hotels in select major cities, conducted by Rick Martin. Additionally, one-on-one clinics will be offered for fleets, dealerships and warehouse distributor locations across the United States and Canada.