People who work on trucks have opinions. And they are powerful! When it comes to trucks, there are tastes, loyalties, and even historical records to consider. However, you may wonder about the best American Truck Brands.
Trucks can be practically anything with cab options, bed lengths, engine sizes, and more. Most of these trucks’ top trims may get pretty ornate.
It is very pricey. Even for the lowest trim levels, having more possibilities and better interiors is important to take into consideration.
So, let’s list down the most popular American Truck Brands to see how many there are.
1. Freightliner
Freightliner Trucks is a truck manufacturer based in the United States. Consolidated Freightways’ truck-manufacturing subsidiary was created in 1929.
This is where the name comes from. As Freightliner Corporation, the corporation was founded in 1942. Portland, Oregon, is the company’s headquarters.
Currently, the vehicles are built in Cleveland and Mount Holly, North Carolina, as well as Santiago Tianguistenco and Saltillo, Mexico.
American Truck Brands all make vans, medium-duty trucks, and heavy-duty trucks. For a variety of vehicles, the business produces bare chassis and cutaway chassis.
The Freightliner Argosy became the penultimate example of the type sold in North America after the business pioneered the usage of cab over (COE) semi-tractors.
2. Peterbilt
The Peterbilt Motors Company is a truck manufacturer based in the United States. Peterbilt is a heavy-duty (Class 8) and medium-duty (Class 5–7) commercial vehicle manufacturer.
It was founded in 1939 with the acquisition of Fageol Truck and Motor Company. Since 1953, Peterbilt vehicles have been identifiable by a huge red-oval brand symbol.
The business has used a “bird” style hood decoration on conventional cab trucks since 1965. They bought 30,000 acres of forestland in Morton, Washington, in 1934.
Also, instead of using railroads, they built roads and bought a fleet of trucks from the White Motor Company.
The old military vehicles received many refurbishments and adaptations for logging use, including increases in their durability and modernization.
3. Kenworth
Kenworth Truck Company is a truck manufacturer based in the United States. Kenworth is a heavy-duty (Class 8) and medium-duty (Class 5–7) commercial vehicle manufacturer.
It was founded in 1923 as the successor of Gersix Motor Company. Kenworth has been a completely owned part of PACCAR since 1945.
It was functioning alongside sister firm and industry rival Peterbilt Motors. Kenworth’s headquarters is in the Seattle neighborhood of Kirkland, Washington.
Kenworth introduced a raised-roof sleeper cab. On the other hand, they made the first heavy-duty vehicle with an aerodynamically optimized body design.
It is also one of the first American Truck Brands to create a truck with a standard diesel-fuel engine. The Kenworth W900 has been in production since 1961.
This makes it one of the longest-running trucks in automotive history.
4. Navistar International
The American holding firm Navistar International Corporation was founded in 1986. It is the successor to International Harvester.
Navistar is the owner of the International truck and diesel engine brands. Under the IC Bus name, the company also manufactures buses.
As of 2019, the corporation employs 13,000 employees globally, with its headquarters in Lisle, Illinois.
Navistar has almost 1,000 dealer outlets in the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Mexico. Also, over 60 dealers in more than 90 countries.
Navistar Financial Corporation, the company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, also provides financing to its clients and distributors.
5. Mack
Mack Trucks, Inc. is one of the American Truck Brands and a former bus and trolleybus maker. This company was founded in 1900 and produced its first truck in 1907.
They changed their name in 1922. Mack products are made in Lower Macungie, Pennsylvania, and Salem, Virginia. The Hagerstown, Maryland plant produces all powertrains.
Mack trucks are available in 45 different countries. The Mack manufacturing plant in Macungie, Pennsylvania, is located near the company’s former Allentown headquarters.
It produces all Mack products, including Mack MP-series engines. They assemble their trucks in Macungie, Pennsylvania, under the Volvo brand.
Individual vehicle components are manufactured all around the world.
6. Western Star
Western Star Trucks Sales, Inc. is based in Portland, Oregon. Western Star is a major subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Daimler AG in Germany.
It manufactures a variety of Class 8 commercial vehicles that can be used on and off the roadway. Western Star specializes in trucks they customize to the needs of the customer.
Western Star offers various sleeper box sizes, with chassis lengths ranging from 486 inches to 486 inches, depending on the model.
There are 5 different inside kits to choose from. Also, people can trim the sleepers to fit their needs. Engines, transmissions, axles, suspensions, and brakes can be configured in a variety of ways.
Mostly, Cummins and Detroit engines are used. Western Star also produces right-hand drive trucks for the Australian, New Zealand, and South African markets.
Bottom Line
The trucking business contributes to the American economy by delivering huge amounts of raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished items over land.
Also from production plants to retail distribution hubs. Technology advancements such as computers, satellite communication, and the Internet have aided many developments in the sector.
These advancements have enhanced company efficiency, saved drivers time and effort, and offered individuals new, more accessible sources of entertainment.
