The Official Blog of Penske Transportation Solutions

penske truck leasing

  • Penske unveils Catalyst AI™ – an industry first AI platform set to revolutionize fleet management with instant access to actionable insights that optimize fleet performance.
  • With 77% of transportation professionals relying on aggregated industry benchmarks to determine fleet performance, Catalyst AI™ addresses the need for real-time evaluation tools.
  • Leveraging advanced AI, machine learning algorithms and Penske’s deep industry knowledge, Catalyst AI™ empowers fleet managers to unlock insights that can optimize fuel efficiency and fleet utilization.

READING, Pa., April 18, 2024 -- Today, Penske Truck Leasing unveiled Catalyst AI™ – an industry first AI platform set to revolutionize fleet management that delivers real-time insight into fleet performance. Catalyst AI marks a pivotal shift away from traditional industry benchmarks, empowering fleet managers with actionable intelligence to optimize fleet performance using dynamic comparative data.

The Catalyst AI™ platform compares a fleet’s performance to similar fleets across Penske’s live database of hundreds of thousands of vehicles in real-time. This platform enables leaders to benchmark their fleets using apples-to-apples comparisons, unlock fuel efficiency opportunities, optimize utilization, and business performance using targeted insights.

New industry research found 77% of transportation professionals tend to rely on historical, annual forecasting and industry benchmark reports to inform their fleet planning and procurement decisions. For fleet managers, this process is often manual, time consuming and relies on data that may not holistically compare to their specific fleets.

“Catalyst AI was born from our vision to harness the power of AI to meet the needs of today’s fleet managers,” said Ann Walsh, senior vice president of digital and customer data at Penske. “By integrating over 57 billion data points with AI, our patent-pending algorithm and industry expertise enables fleet managers to better optimize their operations using leading-edge technology.”

Penske Truck Leasing is ushering in a new era in fleet management by enabling fleet managers to evaluate fleet performance. At the heart of Catalyst AI lies its patent-pending algorithm that identifies the most-similar fleets by evaluating key dimensions of fleet operations and composition. This process creates a unique "fleet DNA," enabling highly customized operational KPI benchmarks tailored to each fleet's specific performance needs.

“With innovation at our core, Penske is committed to developing solutions that drive efficiency and performance for our customers. Catalyst AI addresses the critical need for comparative, real-time insights in fleet management,” said Sherry Sanger, executive vice president of strategy and marketing for Penske. “This cutting-edge technology enables businesses to unlock new efficiencies, reduce costs, and ultimately, sets a new standard for fleet performance.”

Catalyst AI represents a game-changer in fleet management. In an industry first, fleet managers will have access to actionable insights and intelligence to unlock the full potential of their fleets. To test drive the power of Catalyst AI’s fleet benchmarking technology, visit penskecatalyst.ai. Current Penske Truck Leasing customers can easily access Catalyst AI in their existing Fleet Insight accounts with the new Comparative Insights feature at fleetinsight.com.

About Penske Truck Leasing

Penske Truck Leasing is a Penske Transportation Solutions company headquartered in Reading, Pennsylvania. A leading provider of innovative transportation solutions, Penske operates and maintains more than 442,000 vehicles and serves its customers from more than 980 maintenance facilities and more than 2,600 truck rental locations across North America. Solutions from Penske include full-service truck leasing, fleet maintenance, truck rentals, used trucks, and a comprehensive array of technologies to keep the world moving forward. Visit PenskeTruckLeasing.com for more information.

Survey Methodology - The Transportation Leaders Survey: A Road to AI Adoption was conducted online by Big Village among a sample of 259 US Transportation and Logistics executives involved in truck fleet management-related decisions at their business/organizations. This survey was live March 13-20, 2024.

Revolutionizing Fleet Management with Real-Time Fleet Comparisons

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Since artificial intelligence (AI) went mainstream, executives across industries have sought to understand how the technology can help transform operations, drive efficiencies, automate repetitive tasks, bridge talent gaps, uncover new insights and everything in between. With the need for efficiency at the core of transportation, AI presents the opportunity to revolutionize the industry.

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Road construction and maintenance projects are the keys to maintaining healthy roadways. Yet, these work zones can provide challenges to drivers.

New speed limits, traffic patterns and rights of way, as well as worker and vehicle movement, can all impact work zone safety.

National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 15-19, shines a spotlight on ways drivers can keep themselves as well as work zone workers safe.

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For millions of drivers – including many Penske DIY movers and professional truck drivers, anticipation is building for Monday’s first visible total solar eclipse in the U.S. in seven years.

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Reading, Pa., March 12, 2024Penske Truck Leasing has recently opened a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility in the southwest region of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Located at 1150 60th Street SW, Byron Center, Michigan – it is conveniently located near US-131.

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Reading, Pa., March 12, 2024Penske Truck Leasing has recently opened a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility in the southwest region of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Located at 1150 60th Street SW, Byron Center, Michigan – it is conveniently located near US-131.

At this location, Penske offers consumer and commercial truck rental, full-service truck leasing and contract truck fleet maintenance. It is also outfitted with the company's proprietary fully digital and voice-directed preventive maintenance process and Penske digital experience solutions, which help customers leverage Penske technology as well as options related to onboard technology systems (ELDs, telematics, onboard cameras, etc.).

“This new, state-of-the-art facility will allow us to support a growing customer base and expand the district’s footprint,” said Mike Pritchard, senior vice president of the North Central region at Penske Truck Leasing. “Not only does it exceed expectation in size – it is also outfitted with innovative technology to keep pace with the growth and current demand of the transportation industry.”

The location is 22,898-square-feet and sits on 14.1 acres. It features five drive-thru bays with 10 service areas, an automated wash bay, and a full-service fuel island.

Penske currently employs over 40 associates at the new facility and is hiring locally and nationwide. For a list of open positions in the Grand Rapids area and at other Penske locations across North America visit gopenske.com/careers for more information.

Penske Truck Leasing is a Penske Transportation Solutions company headquartered in Reading, Pennsylvania. A leading provider of innovative transportation solutions, Penske operates and maintains more than 439,500 vehicles and serves its customers from more than 980 maintenance facilities and more than 2,650 rental locations across North America. Solutions from Penske include full-service truck leasing, fleet maintenance, truck rentals, used trucks, and a comprehensive array of technologies to keep the world moving forward. Visit PenskeTruckLeasing.com to learn more.

Sue Maier, vice president of sales systems and analytics for Penske Truck Leasing, has been named to the Women in Trucking Association’s (WIT) 2024 list of Top Women to Watch in Transportation. This prestigious list recognizes top performers who go the extra mile to advance gender diversity in transportation.

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In a celebration that bridged education and transportation, Penske Truck Leasing recently held a dedication ceremony at the Universal Technical Institute (UTI) Dallas campus. The focal point of the event was the unveiling of the revitalized diesel classroom.

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For Tréon “Tré” Taylor, it took a homecoming – and a little encouragement from his dad – to put a career at Penske on his radar.

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Penske Truck Leasing recently celebrated the official opening of its new facility in Cuautitlán, Mexico. This addition highlights Penske's commitment to enhancing transportation solutions in the region.

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The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has announced Sarah Smith, senior vice president – human resources at Penske Transportation Solutions, as vice chair of the association. In this role, Smith will collaborate with WIT’s officers, board of directors, and staff to guide the association’s mission to encourage the employment of women in the industry, minimize obstacles they face, and promote their accomplishments.

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Reading, Pa., September 28, 2023Penske Truck Leasing has recently opened a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility in Channahon, Illinois. Located at 23400 S Frontage Road W it is conveniently located near Interstate 55 and Route 6 in the West Chicago-area.

At this location, Penske offers consumer and commercial truck rental, full-service truck leasing and contract truck fleet maintenance. It is also outfitted with the company's proprietary fully digital and voice-directed preventive maintenance process and Penske digital experience solutions, which help customers leverage Penske technology as well as options related to onboard technology systems (ELDs, telematics, onboard cameras, etc.).

“With the opening of this state-of-the-art facility, Penske demonstrates its commitment to investing in the local community, associates, and valued customers,” said Mark Gerber, the North Central area vice president for Penske Truck Leasing. “This spacious and innovative environment enhances our ability to serve customers and employees effectively while accommodating our growing customer base, all while maintaining service excellence and maximizing fleet uptime.”

The location is 22,752-square-feet and sits on 13.4 acres. It features five drive-thru bays with 10 service areas, plus an automated wash bay, and a full-service fuel island.

Penske currently employs over 30 associates at the new facility, and is hiring truck technicians, customer service representatives, and drivers locally and nationwide. For a list of open positions in the Channahon area and at other Penske locations across North America visit gopenske.com/careers for more information.

Penske Truck Leasing is a Penske Transportation Solutions company headquartered in Reading, Pennsylvania. A leading provider of innovative transportation solutions, Penske operates and maintains more than 440,000 vehicles and serves its customers from more than 940 maintenance facilities and more than 2,600 rental locations across North America. Solutions from Penske include full-service truck leasing, fleet maintenance, truck rentals, used trucks, and a comprehensive array of technologies to keep the world moving forward. Visit PenskeTruckLeasing.com to learn more.

Penske Truck Leasing has recently opened a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility in Channahon, Illinois. Located at 23400 S Frontage Road W it is conveniently located near Interstate 55 and Route 6 in the West Chicago-area.

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With Hurricane Idalia expected to make landfall Wednesday in Florida, fleet operators are encouraged to take steps now to brace for the storm’s impact.

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Sabrina Einsla’s journey from serving as a U.S. Army Reserve diesel mechanic to training the best techs in the business as a Technical Development Specialist at Penske didn’t happen overnight. In fact, it almost didn’t happen at all.

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Penske Truck Leasing today announced it has recently completed the acquisitions of Star Truck Rentals, Inc., a transportation services company offering full-service leasing, commercial truck rental, contract maintenance, used truck sales and additional services and Kris-Way Truck Leasing, Inc., a transportation services company offering full-service leasing, commercial truck rental, contract maintenance and dedicated contract carriage.

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READING, Pa., July 13, 2023 – Penske Truck Leasing today announced it has recently completed the acquisitions of Star Truck Rentals, Inc., a transportation services company offering full-service leasing, commercial truck rental, contract maintenance, used truck sales and additional services and Kris-Way Truck Leasing, Inc., a transportation services company offering full-service leasing, commercial truck rental, contract maintenance and dedicated contract carriage.

The acquisition of Star Truck Rentals, Inc. increases Penske’s existing fleet by approximately 1,900 vehicles and adds 18 locations throughout Michigan and Indiana. The acquisition of Kris-Way Truck Leasing, Inc. increases Penske’s existing fleet by approximately 900 vehicles and adds seven locations throughout Maine and New Hampshire. Penske is now integrating the facilities, staff, vehicles and processes of both companies into its existing network.

Penske Truck Leasing is a Penske Transportation Solutions company headquartered in Reading, Pennsylvania. A leading provider of innovative transportation solutions, Penske operates and maintains more than 431,700 vehicles and serves its customers from more than 930 maintenance facilities and more than 2,570 rental locations across North America. Solutions from Penske include full-service truck leasing, fleet maintenance, truck rentals, used trucks, and a comprehensive array of technologies to keep the world moving forward. Visit PenskeTruckLeasing.com to learn more.

Penske Truck Leasing recently announced the top five finishers of its 2023 National Tech Showdown competition. The companywide, voluntary event was designed to test, sharpen and evaluate Penske’s fleet maintenance associates on the mastery of skills required to maintain today’s increasingly complex commercial trucks.

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