Mack® Over the Air (OTA) Updates Now Standard with Driver Download Activation Feature

Mack Trucks announced today that its driver-activated Mack® Over The Air (OTA) updates feature is now standard on the Mack Anthem®, Pinnacle™ and Granite® models, enabling customers to implement software updates themselves at a time when it’s most convenient for them.
Mack Trucks announced today that its driver-activated Mack® Over The Air updates feature is now standard on the Mack Anthem®, Pinnacle™ and Granite® models, enabling customers to implement software updates themselves at a time when it’s most convenient for them.

The driver download activation feature is factory-equipped on models built beginning Nov. 30, 2020 at Lehigh Valley Operations, in Macungie, Pennsylvania, where all Mack Class 8 models for North America and export are assembled. Software retrofits for 2019 Model Year and later Anthem, Pinnacle and Granite models also are available.

“Mack continually looks for new ways to develop solutions that help improve our customers’ total cost of ownership,” said David Pardue, vice president of connected vehicle and contract services for Mack Trucks. “Driver-activated Mack Over The Air updates, the next evolution in remote programming, allows flexibility, along with the ability for customers to initiate software updates and the setting of vehicle parameters when it’s most suitable to their schedules.”

This service is free for the first two years of ownership and can be extended by subscription after that time period.

Mack OTA set the industry standard for remote programming when launched in 2017, and the driver display activation feature now further enhances the capability. OTA offers customers the ability to implement software updates and vehicle parameter settings remotely through Mack GuardDog® Connect, Mack’s fully integrated telematics platform. Driver-activated updates eliminate the need for coordination phone calls with Mack OneCall™ agents, and updates are completed in less than 13 minutes, greatly reducing the amount of time the customer previously needed for updates.

“With this driver-activated feature, fleets can conduct onboard updates via the truck’s instrument cluster, offering customers greater flexibility and efficiency,” Pardue said. “Each customer identifies who is able to activate the update, whether it’s the driver who receives notification that an update is available through the instrument cluster, or a designated technician who activates the update via a unique password.”

Mack OneCall agents remain available 24/7 to assist whenever needed for scheduling and activating updates.

Multiple vehicles can simultaneously receive the updates.

Mack conducted thousands of internal tests before launching a successful four-month, two-phase pilot program with 15 fleets. During that time, more than 500 driver-activated updates were successfully conducted on each truck, resulting in zero issues.

The driver-activated feature can be retrofitted on Mack Model Year 2019 and newer vehicles through Mack Premium Tech Tool, a Windows-based application designed to test, calibrate and program engine parameters.

Through OTA, Mack customers can also set an extensive list of vehicle parameters such as maximum road speed, multiple idle shutdown parameters and kits, as well as parameters that control the Mack mDRIVE™ automated manual transmission.

The system also enables Mack-initiated software updates used to continuously enhance product performance to be downloaded and installed at the customer's convenience.

OTA parameter changes also are available for previously purchased vehicles with Mack EPA 2017 engines.

For more information about driver-activated updates for Mack Over The Air, please visit your local Mack dealer or www.macktrucks.com.

Dedicated to durability, reliability and meeting the needs of customers, Mack Trucks has provided purpose-built transportation solutions for more than a century. Today, Mack is one of North America’s largest producers of heavy-duty trucks, and Mack® trucks are sold and serviced through an extensive distribution network in more than 45 countries. Mack trucks, diesel engines and transmissions sold in North America are assembled in the United States. Mack manufacturing locations are certified to the internationally recognized ISO 9001 standard for quality, ISO 14001 standard for environmental management systems and OHSAS 18001 standard for health and safety management systems. Mack is also a proud sponsor of Share the Road, an American Trucking Associations public information campaign aimed at enhancing the safety of our nation's roadways.

Mack Trucks is part of the Volvo Group, which is driving prosperity through transport and infrastructure solutions, offering trucks, buses, construction equipment, power solutions for marine and industrial applications, financing and services that increase customer uptime and productivity. Founded in 1927, the Volvo Group is

committed to shaping the future landscape of sustainable transport and infrastructure solutions. The Volvo Group is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, employs almost 100,000 people and serves customers in more than 190 markets. In 2019, net sales amounted to about $45.7 billion. Volvo shares are listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. For more information, please visit www.volvogroup.com.

For more information about Mack, visit our website at www.macktrucks.com

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