ANN ARBOR, Mich., Oct. 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- In its latest
innovation as the recognized world leader in pizza delivery,
Domino's (NYSE: DPZ) is launching the Domino's DXP™ (Delivery
Expert), a specially designed and built pizza delivery vehicle. The
DXP is the combined brainchild of former GM R&D executive
Kenneth R. Baker, Michigan-based Roush Enterprises and Domino's.
To also include consumers' input, hundreds of concepts were
initially identified in an online crowdsourcing design competition
hosted by Local Motors.
"The Domino's DXP is the first purpose-built vehicle aimed at
revolutionizing pizza delivery," said Russell Weiner, president of Domino's USA.
"This innovation allows drivers to do their jobs with greater ease
and efficiency, and demonstrates that Domino's is absolutely
fanatical about making perfect deliveries."
The Domino's DXP also represents a collaboration among three
great Michigan brands: Domino's, Roush and General Motors. "As a
55-year-old company born in Michigan, it is an honor to be able to partner
with other great Michigan
companies to produce the DXP," said Weiner.
The design and production of the Domino's DXP took over three
years. It was born out of Domino's passion for innovation and
started with a five-stage crowdsourcing competition hosted by Local
Motors, on the company's open innovation platform called Open IO.
The contest, called the Domino's Ultimate Delivery Vehicle
Challenge, fielded 385 entries from designers around the world.
Then, Roush and Baker adapted the concept and worked closely with
Domino's to transform the Chevrolet Spark® (with its
international style, tech-savvy command deck and nimble
maneuverability) into a delivery vehicle for pizza and other menu
items – ensuring hot and great tasting pizzas delivered right to
your door.
Domino's is working with Roush Enterprises to convert and
deliver 100 DXPs to 25 markets across the U.S., including major
rollouts in Boston, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, New
Orleans, San Diego and
Seattle over the next 90 days.
Domino's has contracted with Chevrolet dealers in the cities where
DXP vehicles are being launched to deal with the nuances of the
DXP, from ovens to accessories. These dealers will also
partner with franchisees to hold local launch events to introduce
the DXP in select markets.
Pizza delivery represents roughly two-thirds of Domino's
business and the DXP represents the latest innovation in this
space. In the U.S. alone, Domino's delivers about 400 million
pizzas a year and delivery drivers cover roughly 10 million miles
each week – equivalent to 21 round trips to the moon. Over
the years, Domino's has revolutionized pizza delivery with other
innovations including the corrugated pizza box, Domino's
Tracker® , the Heatwave bag and ordering by text,
Twitter and emoji.
Consumers spotting DXP vehicles can share their sighting via
social media using the hashtag #DXP. More information about the DXP
can be found at www.dominosdxp.com, a site created by Domino's
advertising agency CP+B, who were integral partners in the design
and launch of the DXP.
DXP Special Features and Fun Facts
- The Domino's-branded illuminated warming oven located behind
the driver's door and storage areas are designed for easy loading
and unloading of pizzas and other menu items. The warming oven can
hold two Heatwave™ bags and is quickly accessible to drivers with
the touch of a key fob.
- The interior of the DXP includes both front and rear storage
areas and features a non-slip, easy-to-clean surface to stabilize
items during delivery. The car has been reconfigured with all but
the driver's seat removed, allowing the DXP to hold large orders
for schools, businesses and special events as well as home
delivery. The DXP has the capacity to accommodate up to 80 pizzas,
along with Domino's other menu items including salads, wings and
2-liter bottles of soda.
- The DXP comes equipped with a puddle light projecting the
Domino's logo on the ground. The front fascia displays the
Domino's logo, and the side panel displays the reflective graphic
of the Domino's brand. Other details include hubcaps with the
Domino's logo and the recognizable illuminated Domino's car
topper.
- The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named the
DXP's base vehicle, the Chevrolet Spark, a 2015 Top Safety Pick in
its minicar segment. With an outstanding combination of the latest
safety and technology features, drivers can feel confident with the
DXP's protection in case of an emergency.
- To keep the DXP vehicles in top operating condition, Chevrolet
dealers in the cities where DXP vehicles are being launched have
been trained to service the DXPs.
- The DXP comes equipped with the OnStar® navigation
system. The OnStar navigation system will help drivers
stay on course with turn-by-turn directions and connections to
9-1-1 in case of emergency.
- With an EPA estimated 39 MPG highway, the DXP should provide
the kind of fuel economy franchisees welcome.
Its 1.2 liter engine makes the I-4 engine car fun to
drive. With an EPA estimated 39 MPG highway, the DXP will
provide the kind of economics franchisees welcome. The DXP
features a continuous variable automatic transmission that adapts
seamlessly to driver throttle input and speed for a comfortable
ride.
"Even though Domino's deliveries will still primarily be made in
the personal cars of delivery drivers," said Weiner, "the Domino's
DXP represents an innovative leap into the 21st century and takes
delivery to a new level of efficiency and quality."
About Domino's Pizza®
Founded in 1960, Domino's Pizza is the recognized world leader
in pizza delivery, with a significant business in carryout pizza.
It ranks among the world's top public restaurant brands with a
global enterprise of more than 12,100 stores in over 80
international markets. Domino's had global retail sales of over
$8.9 billion in 2014, comprised of
more than $4.1 billion in the U.S.
and nearly $4.8 billion
internationally. In the third quarter of 2015, Domino's had global
retail sales of over $2.1 billion,
comprised of over $1.0 billion in the
U.S. and over $1.1 billion
internationally. Its system is comprised of independent franchise
owners who accounted for nearly 97% of Domino's stores as of the
third quarter of 2015. Emphasis on technology innovation helped
Domino's generate approximately 50% of U.S. sales from digital
channels at the end of 2014, and reach an estimated run rate of
$4.0 billion annually in global
digital sales. Domino's features an ordering app lineup that covers
nearly 95% of the U.S. smartphone market and has recently
introduced several innovative ordering platforms, including Ford
SYNC®, Samsung Smart TV® and Pebble Watch, as well as Twitter and
text message using a pizza emoji. In June
2014, Domino's debuted voice ordering for its iPhone® and
Android™ apps, a true technology first within traditional and
e-commerce retail.
About Kenneth R. Baker
Widely recognized for his 1990s work on the development of
General Motors innovative EV1 electric vehicle, Kenneth R. Baker has extensive automotive and
technology experience. He served as the president and chief
executive officer of Altarum Institute 1999–2007. Mr. Baker
served as chief operating officer of Energy Conversion Devices Inc.
prior to 1999. He served in various executive positions with
General Motors Corporation from 1969–99, including vice president
and general manager of the GM Distributed Energy Business Unit,
vice president and general manager of GM Research and Development,
and program manager of GM Electric Vehicles. He served as
founding chairman of the United States Advanced Battery
Consortia. He served as vice chairman of Energy Conversion
Devices Inc., until 1999. Mr. Baker has been a Director of
Ener1 Inc. since 2007. He has been a member of the advisory
board at Efficient Drivetrains, Inc. since 2012.
About Local Motors
Local Motors is a technology company that designs, builds, and
sells vehicles. From bytes-to-bits, the Local Motors open
innovation platform, called Open IO, combines global co-creation
with local micro-manufacturing to bring hardware innovations, like
the world's first 3D-printed car, to market at unprecedented speed.
To learn more about and join the Local Motors community, please
connect on facebook.com/localmotors or follow on Twitter
@localmotors. Discover more at localmotors.com.
About Roush Enterprises
Founded in 1976, Roush Enterprises is a full-service product
development supplier headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, with over 3,000 employees
in facilities located throughout North America. Widely
recognized for providing engineering, testing, product development
and manufacturing services to the transportation industry, Roush
also provides significant support to the consumer product, life
science and defense industries. Service offerings include
design, body, chassis, powertrain, electrical and NVH engineering,
tooling, machining, rapid prototyping, advanced composites,
fabrication and assembly.
Roush's diverse customer base includes clients such as Ford
Motor Company, Chrysler, General Motors, Navistar, General
Dynamics, Textron, AM General, GE
Healthcare, Stryker and Merck. Roush is a subsidiary of
Roush Enterprises, Inc., parent company of Roush Fenway Racing;
Roush Performance, developer and manufacturer of performance
vehicles and products for the automotive aftermarket; Roush
CleanTech, developer and manufacturer of propane-powered trucks and
vans for the fleet vehicle market; and Roush Life Sciences,
developer and manufacturer of products for the healthcare and life
science industries. To learn more, visit www.roush.com.
The DXP Celebrates Standard Chevrolet Spark
Features
Domino's fell in love with the 2015 Chevrolet Spark and its
smooth Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The ECOTEC®
1.2L dual overhead can I-4 engine with variable value timing will
give Domino's drivers the power to move safely through
traffic. Hill-start assist keeps brakes engaged for the split
second it takes to lift your foot off the brake and hit the
gas. Boasting a 39 MPG highway rating, parking is a joy with
the Spark's tighter turning radius.
Standard Vehicle Features
- ECOTEC 1.2 DOHC 4-cylinder engine
- Electric power steering
- StabiliTrak electronic stability control system with brake
assist
- 4-wheel anti-lock brakes
- 10 air bags
- OnStar Directions & Connections standard for the first six
months
- Hill-start assist
- Tire pressure monitoring system
- Halogen headlamps with automatic exterior lamp control and
daytime running lamps
- Rear spoiler with integrated high-mounted LED stoplamp
- 15" split five-spoke silver painted aluminum wheels
- AM/FM stereo with seek-scan and digital clock
- 4-speaker sound system
- Auxiliary input jack
- Air conditioning with cabin air filter
- Driver information center
- Outside temperature display
- Cloth seats
- Auxiliary power outlet located in center stack storage bin
- OnStar with 4G LTE and mobile Wi-Fi hotspot for up to seven
devices standard for three months or 3 GB (whichever comes
first)
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151019/278268
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120814/DE55948LOGO-b
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dominos-launches-purpose-built-pizza-delivery-vehicle-300163696.html
SOURCE Domino's Pizza