Daimler Trucks North America

Brands

• Alliance Parts
• Detroit Diesel
• Freightliner Trucks
• Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation
• Freightliner SelecTrucks
• Thomas Built Buses
• Western Star Trucks
• Demand Detroit
• Sterling Trucks

  History

Early Years

• 1896- Gottlieb Daimler creates the first truck.
• 1923- First diesel truck: Benz
• 1926- Daimler and Benz merge.
• 1942- Leland James founds the Freightliner Corporation.
• 1947- Freightliner opens its first truck plant in Portland, Oregon.
• 1950- Hyster Company is the first private carrier to order a Freightliner truck.
• 1951- Freightliner signs agreement to retail trucks through White Motor Corporation dealerships.

  1960s and 1970s

• 1967- Western Star founded by White Motor Corporation.
• 1976- Freightliner opens new corporate headquarters in Portland, Oregon and sets up regional sales offices.
• 1977- Freightliner launches an independent network of dealerships and ends its agreement with White Motor Corporation.

  1980s and 1990s

• 1981- Daimler-Benz AG purchases Freightliner Corporation from Consolidated Freightways.
• 1992- Production starts at Freightliner's new truck plant in St. Thomas, Ontario Canada
• 1995- Freightliner launches Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation and acquires American LaFrance.
• 1997- Freightliner acquires Ford Motor Company's heavy-truck business and names it "Sterling." Freightliner launches SelecTrucks.
• 1998- Freightliner acquires Thomas Built Buses. Daimler-Benz and Chrysler merge.
• 1999- The one-millionth Freightliner truck is built.

  2000s

• 2000- Freightliner acquires Western Star Trucks. DaimlerChrysler buys Detroit Diesel Corporation.
• 2002- Freightliner starts production of the Coronado and launches the Business Class® M2 series. Western Star launches the 4900EX, The low cab height makes it popular with auto-haulers and owner-operators. Western Star production moves to Portland.
• 2003- Thomas Built Buses debuts the Saf-T-Liner C2, a revolutionary school bus design. Sterling Trucks earns the JD Powers award for Highest Customer Satisfaction in 2003.
• 2004- Freightliner opens its high-tech wind tunnel center in Portland, Oregon. FCCC introduces the hybrid electric walk-in van chassis.
• 2005- Opening of a high-tech cold chamber in Portland, Oregon.
• 2006- Launch of RPM, an industry-leading prospecting tool, allowing FTL, STL, and WST dealers to effectively target new truck buyers.
• 2007- Daimler and Chrysler split. The new Daimler AG is founded. Freightliner LLC is renamed Daimler Trucks North America. Freightliner launches its new flagship – the Cascadia. Sterling Trucks earns the JD Powers award for Highest Customer Satisfaction in 2007. Detroit Diesel starts production of the new heavy-duty engine – the DD15. Saltillo, Mexico plant opens.
• 2008- Parts of the company's operations are moved to Fort Mill, SC. Freightliner LLC becomes Daimler Trucks North America, LLC. Detroit Diesel adopts Daimler-proven BlueTec system for all heavy-duty EPA 2010 engines. Detroit Diesel Corporation Launch of the DD15 World Engine in Redford.
• 2009- Freightliner Trucks introduces the new Coronado for on-highway and Coronado SD for vocational applications. Freightliner Trucks earns the JD Powers award for Highest Customer Satisfaction in the Vocational Segment. Western Star launches three-axle 6900XD 40-ton dump truck, designed for speed, stability, and outstanding fuel efficiency. TBB introduces hybrid electric C2 school bus. The Sterling brand retires

  2010s

• 2010- Together, Diesel Direct and Freightliner Trucks develop the first ever diesel electric hybrid fuel truck. Detroit Diesel invests an additional $190 million in Redford Plant and signs new 6 year UAW Labor Contract. Detroit Diesel was recognized for Achievement in Energy Efficiency. Within one year, energy intensity was reduced by 17%. FCCC introduces hydraulic hybrid chassis and achieves zero-waste-to-landfill status.
• 2011- Freightliner Trucks Introduces New Severe Duty Family of Trucks, which includes the new 114 SD and 108 SD. Western Star, re-launches the 4800 with twin-steer axle option; the 4800 is available in a day cab or sleeper cab configuration. Western Star launches the 4700 to meet the demanding needs of vocational applications. FCCC introduces the all-electric walk-in van chassis. TBB achieves zero-waste-to-landfill status.
• 2012- Freightliner celebrates 70th Anniversary. Freightliner's new Cascadia Evolution, with the Detroit DD15 engine, achieves up to 7% increase in fuel efficiency over the previous model. Freightliner introduces the Revolution Innovation Truck – a new concept in crossover cab design, modern styling and aerodynamic engineering. Freightliner Vocational makes history as Class 6 and Class 7 market share leader. Western Star celebrates 45th Anniversary. Western Star launches 4900SB FE package with Detroit DD15 engine, aerodynamic features and lightweight options improve fuel economy. Western Star announces new 4700 Tractor; with several 5th wheel options, it is ideal for bulk haul, local delivery and construction applications. Detroit produces100,000th DD platform engine. Launch of the Detroit brand for engines, axles, Virtual Technician and DT12. Freightliner Trucks wins three heavy-duty JD Power awards: Vocational, On-Highway, and Heavy-Duty Engine
• 2013- Detroit celebrates 75th Anniversary.
• 2014- Western Star introduces "The 5700" on-highway tractor with product placement in the latest Transformers movie "Age of Extinction" as the heroic lead character, Optimus Prime. Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation launches UltraSteer passive rear steer axles for recreational vehicles to improve maneuverability and extend tire life.
• 2015- DTNA completes its SuperTruck program after achieving 115% freight efficiency improvement and 12.2 MPG during final testing as part of a U.S. Dept. of Energy research program. Detroit Assurance is introduced in Freightliner Cascadia. Daimler Trucks North America introduces the world's first autonomous commercial vehicle licensed for use on U.S. public roads. The Freightliner Inspiration Truck was unveiled before a global audience at Nevada's Hoover Dam.
• 2016- Daimler Trucks North America opens its new LEED Platinum headquarters on its campus in Portland, Oregon. Thomas Built Buses celebrates its 100th anniversary.. Thomas Built Buses launches the industry's first compressed natural gas Type C school bus. Detroit launches the DD5™ medium-duty engine.
• 2017- Western Star celebrates its 50th anniversary. Freightliner celebrates its 75th anniversary. Freightliner Trucks introduces the new Cascadia with Detroit IDP, which helps achieve up to an 8% fuel efficiency improvement over the Cascadia® Evolution.
• 2018- Thomas Built Buses launches the all-electric "Jouley" Saf-T-Liner C2. Detroit launches the DD8™ medium-duty engine.

  DTNA Assembly Plants

• Cleveland, North Carolina
• Mount Holly, North Carolina
• Gaffney, South Carolina
• Gastonia, North Carolina
• High Point, North Carolina
• Portland, Oregon
• Redford, Michigan
• Santiago Tianguistenco, Estado de Mexico, Mexico
• Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico