New trucking partnerships: Bendix, Merchants Fleet, Eroad, and more

Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems and Aeva collaborate on L2+ active safety solutions for commercial vehicles

Aeva, a provider of next-generation sensing and perception systems, is collaborating with Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, a provider of advanced driver assistance systems.

Through this collaboration, Bendix and Aeva aim to integrate cost-effective sensing and perception solutions, leveraging Aeva’s 4D LiDAR technology and perception software into Bendix’s future active safety systems. Together, the companies aim to enable advanced SAE Level 2+ safety capabilities designed to further address use cases such as pedestrian automatic emergency braking and nighttime collision mitigation.

“This collaboration with Bendix brings Aeva’s 4D LiDAR into one of the most impactful commercial vehicle safety markets in North America and an indication of 4D LiDAR’s maturity and flexibility for high-volume active safety applications beyond autonomy,” Soroush Salehian, co-founder and CEO at Aeva, said. “We believe by combining our technology with Bendix’s market-leading active safety platform, we have an opportunity to help deliver safer, more reliable solutions that potentially help address some of the most pressing challenges on our roadways.”

Through this collaboration, Bendix and Aeva are demonstrating their commitment to advancing road safety and providing fleets, drivers, and OEMs with technologies that can help prevent collisions and save lives.

“Our collaboration with Aeva opens an exciting new chapter for the commercial vehicle marketplace,” Mike Tober, CTO at Bendix, said. “We see Aeva’s 4D LiDAR as an enabling technology offering the long-range performance, high resolution, and instant velocity data we believe is needed to expand the capabilities of our future systems, particularly for challenging scenarios like pedestrian detection and nighttime operation.”

See also: Practical AI tools in transportation management systems

Line-X and Merchants Fleet partner to expand nationwide upfitting capabilities

Line-X, a provider of vehicle upfitting for more than 30 years, recently announced that it has joined the Preferred Upfit Network for Merchants Fleet. The signed agreement builds on a five-year collaboration between the two companies with steady growth.

"This agreement deepens the longstanding relationship between Line-X and Merchants Fleet and enhances the support we can provide to Merchants and their clients, but it also creates meaningful new opportunities for our franchisees," Matt Labuda, VP at Line-X, said. "Partnering with Merchants Fleet is a strategic win for both companies, and we're proud to bring consistency, speed, and innovation to a growing commercial segment that's critical to the future of mobility."

“Over the past five years, Line-X has consistently impressed us with their reliability, responsiveness, and ability to adapt to our evolving needs," Charles Mathew, assistant director of orders & upfits for Merchants Fleet, said. "As we invest in technology and begin incorporating EVs into our fleet, it's clear that Line-X is a partner we can grow with. Their forward-thinking approach and attention to detail give us confidence in where we're headed."

Eroad and Whip Around partner to create streamlined fleet maintenance and compliance solutions

Eroad, a provider of connected fleet management solutions, recently partnered with Whip Around, a fleet maintenance management and compliance platform.

The combination of Eroad’s real-time vehicle data, GPS tracking, and compliance solutions with Whip Around’s end-to-end maintenance management platform will enable customers to automate compliance workflows, proactively address issues before they lead to breakdowns, and keep vehicles safe and road-ready.

"Eroad is committed to building a connected ecosystem that simplifies fleet management, and we see fleet maintenance as a significant opportunity to deliver greater value to our customers," Mark Heine, Eroad co-CEO, said. "By combining our telematics expertise with Whip Around’s flexible inspection and maintenance management tools, we’ll provide fleet managers the intelligence and insights they need to take greater control of their operations and drive smarter, safer outcomes, positioning them for immediate and future success in their operations.”

In addition to managing preventive maintenance schedules, fleets using Eroad and Whip Around will benefit from asset health insights using real-time data from the engine, including fault codes, engine temperature, mileage, and more. The end-to-end fleet maintenance solution provides a connected workflow between drivers, fleet managers, and workshop teams. Through this partnership, fleet managers can gain a more unified ecosystem to support both daily operations and long-term planning.

“As fleets navigate increasing operational complexity and regulatory demands, the need for cohesive, data-driven solutions has never been greater,” Whip Around CEO Noah Hickey said. “This partnership brings together two recognized innovators to deliver a cohesive experience that enhances fleet performance, strengthens compliance, and supports long-term strategic goals.”