Sales of the pioneering Bendix ESP Electronic Stability Program full-stability system have surpassed 300,000, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems has announced. The delivery milestone reinforces Bendix’s position as the industry leader in full-stability technology, which the commercial vehicle market is choosing in ever-increasing numbers as it strives to enhance driver and highway safety.
Last year marked the fourth consecutive year of strong ESP unit sales for Bendix, which was the first North American brake manufacturer to make full-stability solutions widely available for the commercial vehicle market. The company introduced Bendix ESP in early 2005. It took six full years for Bendix to reach 100,000 units sold, but only about half that time to triple it.
“More manufacturers and fleets than ever before are looking to the advantages of the Bendix ESP system,” says Scott Burkhart, Bendix Vice President and GM, Controls and Modules. “Through demos and trials, they see how well the technology works and come away as believers in what it can bring to their business – in terms of safety, performance, and value. There’s a reason higher-performing full stability continues to outsell roll-only technology in today’s marketplace. It has proven itself both in terms of crash mitigation and ROI.”
A legacy of rigorous and repeated testing – and Bendix’s commitment to continuous improvement of full-stability technology – underlies Bendix ESP’s stature in the industry. The company recently completed its 14th year of winter testing of commercial vehicle full-stability systems, giving it more experience than any other manufacturer in the industry and solidifying its position as the market leader in full-stability technology for tractor-trailers, trucks, and motorcoaches.
Full-stability technology such as Bendix ESP is more comprehensive than roll-only stability since it addresses both roll and directional stability. On dry surfaces, full-stability systems recognize and mitigate conditions that could lead to rollover and loss-of-control situations sooner than roll-only options. Unlike roll-only systems, full-stability technology functions in a wider range of driving and road conditions, including snowy, ice-covered, and slippery surfaces. Full-stability systems also contain additional sensors, enabling the unit to more quickly recognize factors that could lead to truck rollovers or loss of control.
Full-stability interventions also differ from those in roll-only systems since they rely on automatic brake interventions involving the steer, drive, and trailer axles. Roll-only systems, in contrast, typically apply only the brakes on the drive and trailer axles. Adding steer-axle braking is important for addressing Reduced Stopping Distance (RSD) regulations, which now require more braking power to be concentrated on the steer axle. A brake intervention involving the steer axle slows the vehicle more quickly, helping mitigate rollovers faster, while slowing and redirecting can help the driver maneuver in loss-of-control situations.
The cross-platform availability of Bendix ESP also appeals to a wide range of manufacturers and fleets. For example, the system is available for more than 80 percent of all medium-duty chassis configurations at PACCAR and Navistar.
Bendix ESP is standard on Mack and Volvo highway tractors, as well as the majority of Peterbilt Motor Company’s Class 8 trucks and tractors, including the 579. Other manufacturers offering the Bendix ESP system include International, Kenworth, and Prevost.
As the commercial vehicle industry awaits a final ruling by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regarding stability requirements for tractor-trailers and motorcoaches, Bendix restates its preference to let the market decide technology choices.
“Our position is that full stability is the superior technology choice, rather than roll-only technology – and the increasing pace of Bendix ESP sales helps to bear that out,” says TJ Thomas, Bendix Director of Marketing and Customer Solutions, Controls group. “Full stability is the best technology to help mitigate both rollover and loss-of-control situations.”
Bendix ESP is the foundation for Bendix advanced active safety technologies, such as Bendix Wingman ACB – Active Cruise with Braking adaptive cruise control technology, and Bendix Wingman Advanced – A Collision Mitigation Technology, which combines both adaptive cruise control and collision mitigation to help drivers mitigate or reduce the intensity of potential rear-end collision situations.
Thomas emphasizes that technologies such as Bendix ESP are designed to assist drivers, not replace them. “Active safety systems do not eliminate the need for alert, safe drivers practicing safe driving habits, as well as continuous, comprehensive driver training,” he says.
The Bendix ESP full-stability system is part of the company’s ever-growing portfolio of technology developments that delivers on safety, plus other areas critical to fleets’ success. By improving vehicle performance and efficiency and providing unparalleled post-sales support, Bendix aims to help fleets and drivers lower total costs of vehicle ownership and strengthen returns on investment in equipment and technology.
