MT Magazine July/August 2023

FEATURE STORY

22

And Pitney Bowes sees growth: a 5% CAGR between 2023 and 2028, reaching 28 billion parcels in 2028. So there is room for more delivery vehicles that can efficiently, economically, and environmentally do the work. Our need for reliable, sustainable transportation has never been more important. BrightDrop is a perfect example of the innovations we are adopting to transform our company as time-definite express transportation continues to grow. A New Brand General Motors, while known more for its passenger vehicles than its commercial products, has plenty of truck-building experience: The GMC brand was known as General Motors Truck Company when it was established in 1911. In January 2021, with growing demand for commercial trucks, especially electric versions – and associated software and services – GM announced the establishment of BrightDrop, described by Mary Barra, GM chairman and CEO, as “a new one-stop shop solution for commercial customers to move goods in a better, more sustainable way.” GM cited analysis from the World Economic Forum that was released in January 2020 (before any lockdowns) that showed that among last-mile deliveries, same-day delivery was growing 36% per year and instant delivery by 17%. So, the idea of electric delivery vehicles – vans as well as carts – made tremendous sense to GM. Rather than simply thinking, “Yes, this looks like a good opportunity, so let’s pursue it,” people at the corporation worked with FedEx, so the day BrightDrop was announced, Richard Smith, FedEx Express’ regional president of the Americas and executive vice president of global support, was able — Richard Smith, regional president of the Americas and executive vice president of global support, FedEx Express