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Truck Makers Announce Changes
Three truck makers recently announced changes in their manufacturing plans.
Daimler Trucks reversed its decision to shutter its Port-land, Ore., plant; Peterbilt Motors closed its dormant Madison, Tenn., factory; and Navistar International announced it has found a Chinese manufacturer with which it will work as part of its partnership with Caterpillar Inc.
Daimler said a year ago it would close its Swan Island plant and shift production to other Daimler facilities. The plant was once home to Freightliner Trucks, Daimler’s North America flagship brand, and currently assembles trucks for the military and the Western Star brand.
The Portland-based truck maker, part of Daimler Trucks North America, said increased demand for military trucks weighed heavily on its decision.
Peterbilt’s Tennessee plant had not made a truck since July 2008. The company cited poor industry-wide truck sales in its announcement. Peterbilt is a division of Paccar Inc.
“Peterbilt is aligning its production capacity with market demand,” General Manager Bill Jackson said in a statement.
Navistar International Corp. announced that NC2 Global, its joint venture with Caterpillar, has selected Jianghuai Automobile Co. Ltd., of Anhui Province, as its Chinese partner for international manufacturing.
Navistar and Caterpillar formed NC2 last year to build a North American construction truck and to seek opportunities for international manufacturing.
JAC manufactures light- and heavy-duty trucks, as well as cars and other vehicles.