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Freightliner to Offer Free ELD, Load Booking in Cascadias
DTNA Teams Up With Class8 to Expand Functionality
Key Takeaways:
- DTNA follows Volvo Truck North America and Mack Trucks in partnering with Class8 to offer carriers technology typically provided by third parties.
- The services will be available to Freightliner customers operating fourth- and fifth-generation Cascadia tractors equipped with CTP2, a factory-installed telematics platform.
- On the load board front, fleets will be able to receive real-time load recommendations, end-to-end booking and route optimization through the use of AI.
Daimler Truck North America is teaming up with Canadian technology company Class8 to offer fleets a free electronic logging device plus load booking services.
DTNA follows Volvo Truck North America and Mack Trucks in partnering with Class8 to offer carriers technology typically provided by third parties.
The services will be available from February onward to Freightliner customers operating fourth- and fifth-generation Cascadia tractors equipped with CTP2, a factory-installed telematics platform.
The Cascadia is the best-selling Class 8 tractor model in North America. DTNA launched the fifth-generation Cascadia in October 2024, enhancing aerodynamic and safety features with the latest iteration. Series production of the tractor — the first revamp in five years — began in 2025.
Availability for other Freightliner and Western Star models will be rolled out as 2026 progresses, DTNA said.
“Our growing services portfolio is curated to create real and immediate value for our customers,” said Sanjiv Khurana, general manager of DTNA’s fleet services group. “Detroit Connect, our proprietary solution, already offers customers remote visibility into the productivity of their trucks, drivers and overall operations.”
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“By complementing these offerings with partnerships like Class8, we’re helping customers unlock new levels of efficiency, safety and profitability. These collaborations are a cornerstone of our long-term vision to lead the industry’s digital transformation,” he added.
The free ELD will enable hours-of-service compliance and maintenance prevention without installation and subscription costs, according to Class8.
On the load board front, fleets will be able to receive real-time load recommendations, end-to-end booking and route optimization through the use of artificial intelligence, the company said Feb. 2.
Carriers can install one or all of the options.
Transport Topics reporters Eugene Mulero and Keiron Greenhalgh examine the critical trends that will define freight transportation in the year ahead. Tune in above or by going to RoadSigns.ttnews.com.
“Carriers are under real pressure right now, and most don’t need more software, they need fewer barriers,” said Chris Atkinson, CEO of Class8. “By pairing a free ELD with optional load and dispatch tools, we’re giving fleets practical ways to reduce cost, improve margins and stay flexible in a difficult market.”
VTNA began offering customers a free load board in September. Mack started offering the service in May.
Class8’s technology offers direct connections to brokers that are authentic, available and from reputable parties, Atkinson told Transport Topics in September. The 40 different sources include brokers and aggregations of broker loads, he added.
