Kenworth Truck Company says it has produced a free, "White Paper on Life Cycle Cost" that offers ways for fleets and owner operators to get the most for their money over the life of their vehicles. According to the company, the comprehensive 26-page white paper offers information that can be used to track and control long-term costs of operation. It is available for download at www.kenworth.com under "Learn How To Reduce the Life Cycle Cost of Your Vehicle" and upon request from Kenworth dealers. "While truck buyers often make their purchase decision based mostly on the initial acquisition cost, it's important to consider the total cost of ownership over the long run to fully maximize your dollars," noted Bob Christensen, Kenworth general manager and PACCAR vice president. "Kenworth's White Paper on Life Cycle Cost provides fleets and owner operators with valuable information to aid them in making well-informed, cost-effective purchase decisions." The company says its new white paper examines six major areas, including spec'ing the right truck, fuel economy, maintenance and customer support, trade cycles and the buying decision, financing and fixed costs, and driver retention. "In this report, truck operators will find real-world solutions that will help them conserve fuel, boost payload, cut maintenance costs, please their drivers, impress customers and meet deadlines," added David Warren, Kenworth product marketing manager. "These tips will help them be more productive and more profitable and hold down costs as long as they own their trucks." For example, under the "Spec'ing the Right Truck" section, the white paper offers equipment spec'ing ideas that will lead to lower maintenance costs, increased driver comfort, improved fuel economy, lighter vehicle weight and more money at resale. "Driver ergonomics and a comfortable cab are important factors when spec'ing your next truck," Warren said. "Everything from the layout of the instrument panel and switches to controlling the cab's noise level will make a big difference in reducing driver fatigue, which improves productivity." In the fuel economy section, Kenworth provides figures to show how much money can be saved by boosting miles per gallon. The section also looks at cost savings that can result from controlling fuel purchases and monitoring driver performance, says the company. "Spec'ing the right aerodynamic components on a tractor, whether it's a traditional styled W900L or the streamlined T2000, can help reduce fuel consumption," Warren said. "In a line-haul application using van trailers, a roof fairing and cab extenders equipped on a tractor can decrease aerodynamic drag by up to 20 percent and decrease operating expenses up to 2.5 cents per mile." "We believe it will cost operators less overall in the long run if they continue to buy trucks on their regular schedule," said Warren. "Cash flow and operating costs will be more predictable, and they will maximize their depreciation benefits." In the white paper, Kenworth points out that the driver's role in optimizing life cycle costs cannot be over emphasized. Not only do driver wages and expenses account for 40 percent of a truck's direct life cycle cost, but driver turnover can greatly increase often overlooked recruiting, testing and training expenses. "There is a lot to consider in figuring out the costs of operating a truck. We believe this white paper will help operators evaluate all of the cost factors and make a wise buying decision," concluded Warren. Kenworth Truck Company, a division of PACCAR Inc., is a manufacturer of heavy and medium duty trucks. Kenworth's Internet home page is at www.kenworth.com.