Ryder Debuts First HD Truck Designed for Women Drivers

Ryder System, Inc. (NYSE: R), a leader in commercial fleet management and supply chain solutions, has announced that it will offer customers a female-friendly vehicle package for lease – the first of its kind in the industry.

With the help of various OEMs and Women in Trucking Association (WIT, Ryder is making available a custom vehicle design, including 15 unique specifications, to better meet the needs of female drivers.

These same ergonomic specifications will also provide a benefit for many male drivers in the industry. The ergonomic vehicles include features such as adjusted height and placement of cab grab handles, adjustable seatbelt shoulder straps, improved placement of dash cluster gauges, and better access to oil and coolant checks and fill ports.

Upon customer request, and depending upon the OEM model of vehicle, Ryder can also include the following options:

• ergonomically designed seats and adjustable armrest;
• hood lift/closure assistance mechanism;
• automated transmissions;
• 5th Wheel configurations with lower pull pressures to open the locking mechanism;
• automated 5th wheel locking mechanisms;
• automatic landing gear operators for trailers;
• and a cab security system that offers personal protection while a driver is in his/her sleeper berth.

“Ryder is one of the largest purchasers of heavy duty trucks in North America and has a great deal of visibility into the needs of the professional truck driver,” said Steve Schmotzer, Region Fleet Manager, PACCAR. “There really is no one in a more suitable position to provide feedback on this issue to manufacturers than Ryder. We are proud to support this initiative, which is critical to addressing a pressing industry need.”

Category: Featured, Vehicles