US’s leading heavy-duty truck manufacturer Freightliner is celebrating 80 years. In 1939, Leland James conceived and produced the first lightweight, short wheelbase diesel cab over trailer, establishing the Freightliner brand. The Model 600 was introduced in 1942 and was the industry’s first commercial vehicle with an all-aluminum cab. By 1947, truck production had begun in Portland, and the Freightliner plant was built on Swan Island in 1952. Freightliner is the best-selling brand of heavy-duty trucks in North America, the company’s latest model, the Freightliner eCascadia began customer delivery in early November.The American Truck Historical Society recognized Freightliner’s pioneering efforts in the trucking industry with the induction of Leland James into The American Trucking and Industry Leader all of Fame on October 26, 2022. John O’Leary, president & CEO of Daimler Truck North America, accepted the award at the American Truck Historical Society Induction Ceremony in Kansas City, Missouri, an event launched in May of 2021 honoring the legacy and contributions of prominent trucking leaders.From the first 90-degree tilt cab to advancements in fuel economy, telematics and aerodynamics, Freightliner has a long history of revolutionary industry firsts. Throughout its history, Freightliner has been focused on purposeful innovation, advancing safety and providing an unrivaled network of support:The first Freightliner trucks used aluminum and magnesium to reduce the truck’s weight and maximize the freight they could carry and were the first trucks with diesel engine technology.Freightliner was the first to introduce ABS to the commercial vehicle industry.Freightliner’s proprietary AirLiner suspension gave drivers new levels of driving comfort, cushioning the cab with airbags built into the suspension.Freightliner pioneered the most innovative safety systems in the industry and built the eCascadia, the safest commercial vehicle in the industry.
US’s leading heavy-duty truck manufacturer Freightliner is celebrating 80 years. In 1939, Leland James conceived and produced the first lightweight, short wheelbase diesel cab over trailer, establishing the Freightliner brand. The Model 600 was introduced in 1942 and was the industry’s first commercial vehicle with an all-aluminum cab. By 1947, truck production had begun in Portland, and the Freightliner plant was built on Swan Island in 1952. Freightliner is the best-selling brand of heavy-duty trucks in North America, the company’s latest model, the Freightliner eCascadia began customer delivery in early November.The American Truck Historical Society recognized Freightliner’s pioneering efforts in the trucking industry with the induction of Leland James into The American Trucking and Industry Leader all of Fame on October 26, 2022. John O’Leary, president & CEO of Daimler Truck North America, accepted the award at the American Truck Historical Society Induction Ceremony in Kansas City, Missouri, an event launched in May of 2021 honoring the legacy and contributions of prominent trucking leaders.From the first 90-degree tilt cab to advancements in fuel economy, telematics and aerodynamics, Freightliner has a long history of revolutionary industry firsts. Throughout its history, Freightliner has been focused on purposeful innovation, advancing safety and providing an unrivaled network of support:The first Freightliner trucks used aluminum and magnesium to reduce the truck’s weight and maximize the freight they could carry and were the first trucks with diesel engine technology.Freightliner was the first to introduce ABS to the commercial vehicle industry.Freightliner’s proprietary AirLiner suspension gave drivers new levels of driving comfort, cushioning the cab with airbags built into the suspension.Freightliner pioneered the most innovative safety systems in the industry and built the eCascadia, the safest commercial vehicle in the industry.
