More than 200,000 Bendix ESP Electronic Stability Program full-stability systems have now been produced, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems announced. Bendix began producing the product in 2005.
To illustrate the booming interest in stability control systems, Bendix noted it took six years before it produced its 100,000th unit, but less than two to reach the 200,000 mark.
“The record sales growth of Bendix ESP demonstrates that fleets, in increasing numbers, recognize the unequaled benefits of full-stability solutions,” said Scott Burkhart, Bendix vice president and general manager, Controls group. “The industry continues to turn to this technology to help mitigate accidents, improve highway safety, and deliver maximum return on investment.”
The Bendix ESP system is now standard on Peterbilt’s Class 8 trucks and tractors, including the Model 579. Mack and Volvo also offer the system as standard on their highway tractors while International and Kenworth provide it at optional equipment.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently introduced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would make full-stability systems requirements on all vehicles with a GVWR of 26,000 lbs. or more.
“Bendix has stated its preference for letting the market decide technology choices,” said Fred Andersky, Bendix director of government and industry affairs. “The pace of Bendix ESP sales reinforces our position that, if a regulation is forthcoming, ESC is the best technology choice. More than any other technology, ESC helps mitigate both rollover and loss-of-control situations.”
According to Bendix, full-stability technology, which addresses both roll and directional stability, is more comprehensive than roll-only stability, known as RSC. While roll-only options function on dry surfaces, full-stability systems recognize and mitigate conditions that could lead to rollover and loss-of-control situations sooner on dry surfaces, and in a wider range of driving and road conditions, including snowy, ice-covered, and slippery surfaces.
