Solving problems and seeking big ideas

PACCAR's Phil Stephenson previews SAE COMVEC 2025 and offers insights into powertrain diversification, the role of AI, a software-defined future and the importance of people.

Advancing technology to solve challenges involving regulation, compliance, autonomy, electrification, combustion engines and other areas is an obvious focus of SAE International's flagship gathering for the commercial vehicle and off-highway industries, COMVEC 2025 (https://comvec.sae.org/). But advancing people, which is vital to navigating this challenging environment, is a particular focal point for this year's engineering event being held near Chicago in September.

Workforce development is just as critical as technology development, stresses Phil Stephenson, general manager of PACCAR Technical Center, where he leads a team of engineers, technicians, mechanics, scientists and business leaders. Stephenson is serving as the executive chair of SAE COMVEC 2025, which carries the theme “Advancement, Empowerment & Exploration: Shaping the Future Together.”