If you’ve ever driven on a highway, the chances are that you have passed your fair share of Western Star trucks. Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, the company is famous nationwide for its Class-8 tractor-trailers. For over 50 years, they’ve built a reputation for themselves as a manufacturer of comfortable and safe trucks. That’s why you may have heard their products referred to as “trucker’s trucks.” Today, we’re giving a brief history of Western Star trucks.
If you’ve ever driven on a highway, the chances are that you have passed a few Western Star trucks. Here’s a brief history of the company.
Origins
Western Star has its origin in Cleveland, Ohio—not too far from the motor capital of the world in Detroit. It was founded in 1967. In those days, its production facilities were in Kelowna, British Columbia. It specialized in trucks designed for such industries as logging, mining, and oil. They rapidly expanded, developing new manufacturing space and warehouses. In 1970, there was a major shift as the company decided to shift its marketing to the west coast. To this end, they became a division of White Trucks.
Changing of Hands
Western Star changed hands a couple of times throughout the next few decades. At one point, it returned to independent operations, but General Motors promptly swept it up. Ownership passed through the hands of the Australian Terry Peabody, before selling it once more to Damien-Chrysler AG in 200. By 2002, this partnership ended as well, and today the business operates as Freightliner LLC, which is a division of Daimler Trucks North America LLC.
Innovations
Unless you’re especially interested in business, all these changes can feel dizzying. But what’s crucial to us as laypeople or truck drivers is Western Star’s groundbreaking innovations throughout all these years. One of their great developments was the wrap-around dashboard. They also went to great lengths to increase visibility for truck drivers. There were some significant aesthetic alterations made as well. In 1986, they introduced a sloped hood on their vehicles, which was a stark departure from the older, boxy design. In the 1990s, they endeavored to produce a cab and sleeper that provided maximum comfort to the driver.
Western Star played a crucial role in the development of the Class-8 tractor-trailer. If you drive one of their trucks commercially, this is a lineage that you can be proud of. For the rest of us, we’re glad to know that they have fitted you with such durable, comfortable, and safe vehicles.
Baltimore Freightliner-Western for all Your Trucking Needs!
Whether you are looking to upgrade your fleet to tow trucks or simply interested in the latest trucking technology, you can rely on Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star. We have provided top-notch service for the trucking industry for 30 years and would love to assist you in buying a new top-of-the-line truck, finding the specialty parts you need, or repairing your truck. Give us a call toll-free at 800-832-7278 or locally at 410-685-4474, or contact us online. To find out more about what we are up to, follow us on Facebook, Twitter,and Pinterest.