Freightliner and TravelCenters of America have signed an operating agreement creating a nationwide truck service network.

Through the alliance, plans for which were announced earlier this year, TA's service and maintenance program joins the existing network of 300 Freightliner dealers as preferred supplier of express Freightliner parts and service.
The program is already being tested at two TA sites in Ohio: TA London (just west of Columbus) and TA Youngstown. Additional test locations are slated to open mid-August at TA facilities in Mt. Vernon, IL, Mobile, AL, Effingham, IL, and Oklahoma City. TA service personnel participating in the program receive comprehensive training at Freightliner headquarters in Portland, OR.
While the agreement calls for Freightliner's independent dealer network to remain the primary service provider for Freightliner trucks, TA sites will focus on express service and minor repair work, such as preventive maintenance, brakes, electrical, heating and air conditioning, DOT inspections and trailer maintenance and repair. A specific menu of service and warranty repairs will be included in TA's offerings to Freightliner customers.
TA locations will be incorporated into Freightliner's 24-hour customer assistance center database and be a major referral point for emergency and roadside repairs. TA will also stock Freightliner parts and have access to Freightliner parts distribution, service and parts information systems.
Plans call for a phased rollout at 10 to 15 TA sites every month, with all full-service TA sites expected to be up and running under the new system by September 2000.