Penske launches data connection platform

Penske Truck Leasing Co. said today it has launched a data platform that will connect its systems with virtually any truck and engine configuration or telematics service provider.

The Reading, Pa.-based truck rental and leasing giant said it is the first company in its industry to provide what it called "connected fleet solutions" on such a large scale. The device-neutral platform is currently being used to connect more than 20,000 vehicles in Penske's truck-rental and logistics fleets, the company said.

Penske said the enhanced connectivity enables faster roadside-assistance call triage and improved vehicle maintenance through remote diagnostics, location data, and so-called "Big Data" analytics.

In a statement, President and CEO Brian Hard said the platform "makes it easy for customers to connect their vehicles and share their vehicle data with us." Hard said the connectivity will "improve vehicle uptime, safety, and compliance, and help keep customers well-informed about their vehicles."