Daimler Truck North America

Daimler Truck North America LLC
Company type	Limited liability company
Industry	Commercial vehicles manufacturing
Predecessor	Freightliner Corporation
Founded	2008; 18 years ago
Founder	Leland James (Freightliner Corporation)
Headquarters	Portland, Oregon, United States
Area served	North America
Key people	John O'Leary (CEO)
Products	Trucks, buses, commercial vehicles
Owner	Daimler Truck AG
Parent	Daimler Truck AG
Website	www.daimlertruck.com

Daimler Truck North America LLC—previously known as Freightliner Corporation—is a manufacturer specializing in commercial vehicles, headquartered in Portland, Oregon. It operates as a limited liability company under the ownership of the German global corporation Daimler Truck AG.

On October 1, 2021, shareholders of Daimler AG sanctioned the separation of its truck division, resulting in the creation of Daimler Truck as a standalone company.

Brands

Although Fuso Trucks America is predominantly owned by Daimler Truck, it functions independently from Daimler Trucks North America.

Early Years

1896 – The inaugural truck is developed by Gottlieb Daimler.
1923 – The first diesel-powered truck is introduced by Benz.
1926 – Daimler and Benz merge their companies.
1942 – Freightliner Corporation is established by Leland James.
1947 – Freightliner inaugurates its initial manufacturing facility in Portland, Oregon.
1950 – Hyster Company becomes the earliest private carrier to purchase a Freightliner truck.
1951 – Freightliner collaborates with White Motor Corporation dealerships for distribution.

1960s and 1970s

1967 – White Motor Corporation founds Western Star.
1976 – Freightliner sets up new headquarters in Portland along with regional sales offices.
1977 – Freightliner initiates its own dealership network, ending its partnership with White Motor Corporation.

1980s and 1990s

1981 – Freightliner Corporation is acquired by Daimler-Benz AG from Consolidated Freightways.
1992 – Manufacturing operations commence at Freightliner's St. Thomas, Ontario facility.
1995 – Launch of Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation and acquisition of American LaFrance.
1997 – Ford's heavy-truck division is acquired and rebranded as "Sterling," alongside the introduction of SelecTrucks.
1998 – Thomas Built Buses becomes part of the company; Daimler-Benz merges with Chrysler.
1999 – Production milestone reached with the one-millionth Freightliner truck.

2000s

2000 – Acquisition of Western Star Trucks by Freightliner; Detroit Diesel Corporation becomes part of DaimlerChrysler.
2002 – Western Star production moves to Portland.
2003 – Thomas Built Buses debuts the Saf-T-Liner C2 school bus model.
2004 – Opening of an advanced wind tunnel center in Portland; FCCC introduces hybrid electric walk-in van chassis.
2005 – Launch of a state-of-the-art cold chamber facility in Portland.
2007 – Separation of Daimler and Chrysler; founding of Daimler AG; Freightliner LLC renamed Daimler Trucks North America; Detroit Diesel releases DD15 heavy-duty engine; new plant opens in Saltillo, Mexico.
2008 – Partial relocation of operations to Fort Mill, South Carolina; Freightliner LLC officially becomes Daimler Trucks North America, LLC.

2010s

2014 – Western Star unveils "The 5700" highway tractor, notably featured as Optimus Prime in Transformers: Age of Extinction; Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation launches UltraSteer passive rear steer axles enhancing RV handling and tire longevity.
2015 – Completion of SuperTruck program by DTNA achieving a 115% freight efficiency gain and 12.2 MPG in testing; introduction of Detroit Assurance driver assistance system in Freightliner Cascadia; debut of the world's first autonomous commercial vehicle licensed on U.S. public roads—the Freightliner Inspiration Truck showcased at Hoover Dam.
2016 – DTNA inaugurates LEED Platinum-certified headquarters in Portland; Thomas Built Buses celebrates its centennial and introduces the first compressed natural gas Type C school bus; Detroit launches DD5 medium-duty engine.
2017 – Western Star marks its 50th anniversary while Freightliner observes 75 years; new Cascadia model introduced featuring Detroit IDP integrated powertrain management system delivering up to 8% better fuel economy.
2018 – Thomas Built Buses releases all-electric "Jouley" Saf-T-Liner C2 model; Detroit presents DD8 medium-duty engine.

2020s

2020 – Through its subsidiary Daimler Coaches North America, Daimler Trucks North America took over the official distribution and support of Setra coaches within the North American market.
2021 – Shareholders of Daimler AG gave their consent to the separation of the truck division into an independent entity.
2023 – The introduction of the Rizon electric medium-duty truck brand by Daimler Trucks North America occurred in the United States, with plans to extend availability to Canada in 2024.

Leadership

Martin Daum (2009–2017)
Roger Nielsen (2017–2021)
John O'Leary (2021–present)

DTNA Assembly Plants

Cleveland, North Carolina (Freightliner / Western Star)
Mount Holly, North Carolina (Freightliner)
Gaffney, South Carolina (Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation)
Gastonia, North Carolina (Alliance Truck Parts)
High Point, North Carolina (Thomas Built Buses)
Portland, Oregon (Freightliner / Western Star)
Redford, Michigan (Detroit Diesel)
Santiago Tianguistenco, Estado de Mexico, Mexico (Freightliner / Western Star)
Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico (Freightliner)

External links