Paccar's new in-dash digital infotainment system for KWs, Petes

Trucking news and briefs for Friday, Oct. 23, 2026:

• ‘Hey Peterbilt’: Paccar Connect offers new experience for Kenworth, Peterbilt owners.
• Higher speeds coming to interstates in the Show Me State.
• Improved service contracts available from two OEMs.

Paccar rolling out new in-cab digital experience

Truckers who buy new Peterbilt and Kenworth Class 8 trucks in 2027 will experience a new on-dash control panel called Paccar Connect.

Rolling out early next year, the new interface allows touchscreen access to HVAC and audio controls, Apple CarPlay and the truck’s exterior cameras, proprietary Paccar applications, as well as third-party integration with some Platform Science native applications.

As reported by Fusable Content Director Jeff Crissey at this link, the touchscreen in Kenworth trucks is presented in a horizontal screen format. 

In Peterbilts, the 13-inch display is vertically oriented and integrated seamlessly into the dash, replacing a host of physical controls. 

Paccar Connect can also be used hands-free by drivers by using the “Hey Peterbilt” or “Hey Kenworth” voice assistant.

As noted, Kenworth's display is horizontal.

CCJ got a hands-on preview of the new system in a Peterbilt at a press event recently in Sonoma, California. That close look can be found in the video below:

Read more about the new Paccar Connect system here.

Missouri boosts speed limits on certain interstate stretches

The Missouri Department of Transportation announced this week the locations of upcoming increases to the speed limit of various interstate corridor segments.

The increases are the result of a new law permitting MoDOT to raise the maximum rural highway speed limit to 75 mph and follows a detailed review of each eligible location.

This map highlights in red the sections of interstate that will see the speed limit increases.MoDOT“The department takes careful consideration of all the different factors that make up a roadway when setting speed limits, including how people use it,” said MoDOT Director Ed Hassinger. “This decision is not made lightly and comes after a detailed study into each of those factors to determine where we can move people and traffic efficiently at higher speeds without sacrificing safety.”

As a result, the department has identified the following interstate segments for an increase to the 75-mph speed limit:

• I-29: From Exit 56 in Andrew County to approximately 2.5 miles south of the Iowa border (64 miles)
• I-35: From the northern Cameron city limit to approximately 4 miles south of the Iowa border (55 miles)
• I-49: From the Arkansas border to Exit 24 (24 miles); and from Exit 56 to just south of Exit 101 in Nevada (45 miles)
• I-55: From the Arkansas border to mile marker 16.6 just south of the I-155 interchange (17 miles); from MM 19.8 just north of the MO 84 interchange to MM 64.9 at the Rte. AA bridge (45 miles); from MM 70.5 just north of the Rte. HH interchange to MM 86.6 just south of the Rte. PP interchange (16 miles); and from MM 106.4 just north of Exit 105 to MM 164.9 at the Jefferson County line (59 miles)

MoDOT crews will be working this fall to update posted signs along the highways. Drivers should continue to abide by the posted speed limit along the highways.

[Related: Lawmakers look to end split speed limits for cars, trucks]

Volvo and Mack's updated service contracts

Volvo Trucks North America and Mack Trucks this week rolled out comprehensive new service contracts designed to combine preventive maintenance and powertrain protection into predictable monthly payments. The announcement came at the American Trucking Associations’ 2026 Management Conference & Exhibition. 

Volvo’s Silver Service Contract, available across the U.S. and Canada through nearly 400 authorized dealers, builds on the connected Blue Service Contract introduced in 2024.

Mack debuted its Mack Premium Plus Service Contract, which emerges from a pilot program launched in January with dealers like Tri-State Truck Center in Memphis, Tennessee. Mack has already quoted the new contract for more than 1,000 trucks.

As reported by Overdrive sister publication CCJ’s Jason Cannon, both companies’ programs offer:

• Predictable financing: The service contract can be bundled directly into the truck payment to spread costs interest-free over the financing period.
• Comprehensive coverage: Both plans cover routine services—such as oil changes, filter replacements, and chassis lubrication—alongside major powertrain components including the engine, exhaust aftertreatment system, transmission, and clutch.
• Connected fleet management: Leveraging connected vehicle data, dedicated fleet managers and dealer networks coordinate proactive maintenance, handle over-the-air updates, manage recalls, and streamline service intervals to reduce planned downtime.

Unlike fixed-interval maintenance schedules, Premium Plus and Silver Service utilize real-time vehicle operational intelligence to dictate service needs.

More on the programs can be seen here.

[Related: Telematics beyond ELD systems: Redundancy, promise and real expense/uptime benefits]