Milestone commemorated with the delivery of the first Freightliner Cascadia Evolution equipped with the new Detroit Integrated Powertrain

Contact: david.giroux@daimler.com

CLEVELAND, N.C. – August 22, 2014 – Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) today marked the production of its 3,000,000th vehicle in North America. The milestone was commemorated by the delivery of a Freightliner Cascadia® Evolution to representatives from Schneider at DTNA’s manufacturing facility in Cleveland, North Carolina. 

“Daimler Trucks North America is committed to pacing the industry in terms of engineering and manufacturing excellence, as well as production of vehicles that provide a real total cost of ownership solution for our customers,” said Roger Nielsen, chief operating officer, Daimler Trucks North America. “This achievement is a testament to the dedication to excellence by Daimler Trucks North America’s employees past, present and future.”  

The 3,000,000th vehicle is the first Freightliner Cascadia Evolution to be equipped with the new 6×2 Detroit™ integrated Powertrain package. Featuring the Detroit DD15® engine, Detroit DT12™ transmission and Detroit axles, the integrated Powertrain provides state-of-the-art component communication to achieve the highest level of performance. The new Detroit integrated Powertrain will be available in full production in the Freightliner Cascadia Evolution in January 2015.

“The Detroit integrated Powertrain exemplifies the pioneering, innovative spirit that has propelled Freightliner to undisputed market leadership in the commercial vehicle industry in North America,” said Richard Shearing, vice president of national accounts for Daimler Trucks North America. “We are the only OEM that designs, engineers and manufacturers a completely integrated Powertrain and we are pleased to debut the new Detroit integrated Powertrain in our 3,000,000th vehicle.”

Schneider, one of the nation’s largest truckload carriers, took possession of the landmark truck. “A milestone like the one Daimler is celebrating today is no small feat,” said Rob Reich, senior vice president at Schneider. “We have owned more than 25,000 Freightliner trucks over the years and are honored to have the company’s 3-millionth truck join our fleet. Thank you, and congratulations on continuing to improve a great product.” 

Freightliner Cascadia Evolution
Setting the pace for the industry in terms of real total cost of ownership, with over 50,000 orders since its start of production in 2013, the Cascadia Evolution builds on the technologies of our previous on-highway truck models—engine efficiency, advanced aerodynamics, fleet management tools—to deliver up to a 7 percent increase in fuel economy over its 2010 EPA-compliant predecessor. 

Integrated Detroit Powertrain – New Rating, More Efficiency
The integrated Detroit Powertrain features the flagship DD15 engine, with new downsped rating of 400hp and 1750 lb/ft. The downsped rating enables the engine to turn at lower RPMs regardless of road speed, ultimately reducing fuel consumption and friction.

Detroit Intelligent Powertrain Management
Already engineered for economy and safety, the integrated DT12 continues to push the innovation envelope with the new Intelligent Powertrain Management (IPM). This powerful technology uses pre-loaded terrain maps and GPS to know the route ahead and automatically adjusts transmission and engine functions, resulting in an even smoother ride. Features such as eCoast, a technology specific to the DT12 that allows the engine to operate at idle of 500 RPM when road and driver inputs don’t require engine power to move the truck down the road, and creep mode, which improves low-speed maneuverability, perform with the powertrain to benefit performance. 

New Detroit Axle Configuration
Working together with the DD15 engine and DT12 transmission, the new Detroit rear axles integrate effortlessly to provide optimum performance. Detroit now offers a 6×2 configuration with a 2.28 ratio that is specifically designed to work with the downsped engine rating, making it the fastest ratio available while still providing the performance drivers demand. The 6×2 Detroit axle configuration incorporates a non-driven tag axle on the tandem, reducing total weight by almost 400 lbs.  A new 2.41 ratio in its 6×4 axle configuration is also available for applications requiring superior traction. The integrated Detroit Powertrain includes steer axles that use low-friction needle bearings for maximum maneuverability and minimal maintenance.

Daimler Trucks North America: History
The company was founded in 1942 when Leland James began manufacturing trucks in Portland, Ore., as the Freightliner Corporation. In 1981, Daimler-Benz AG (now Daimler AG), one of the world’s premier automotive companies and builder of heavy-duty commercial vehicles, purchased Freightliner Trucks from Consolidated Freightways, and in the following decade, vehicle sales more than doubled. 

With its vast technological resources, Daimler-Benz helped Freightliner Trucks reach the top of the North American heavy-duty truck market by 1992. Today, DTNA is North America’s leading manufacturer of commercial vehicles, selling more than 140,000 commercial vehicles annually through its manufacturing network in the United States and Mexico.

Nine North American manufacturing facilities produce the company’s vehicles, which include Freightliner trucks, Western Star trucks, Thomas Built buses; as well as Freightliner Custom Chassis, Detroit engines and components, and Alliance Truck Parts.

DTNA manufacturing facility locations:

·       Redford, Mich.
·       Cleveland, NC
·       Gastonia, NC
·       High Point, NC
·       Mt. Holly, NC
·       Portland, Ore.
·       Gaffney, SC
·       Saltillo, Mexico
·       Santiago Tianguistenco, Mexico

For more information about Daimler Trucks North America, go to www.daimler-trucksnorthamerica.com. 

About Daimler Trucks North America
Daimler Trucks North America LLC, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, is the leading heavy-duty truck manufacturer in North America. Daimler Trucks North America produces and markets commercial vehicles under the Freightliner, Western Star and Thomas Built Buses nameplates. Daimler Trucks North America is a Daimler company, the world’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer.

About Schneider
One of the largest truckload carriers in North America, Schneider has been the top choice of safety-minded drivers for nearly 80 years. With over 75 percent of its drivers getting home weekly or better, Schneider provides professional opportunities that meet the work-life balance needs of today’s drivers and owner-operators. 

Schneider is a $3.6 billion company and ranked a top-paying carrier by National Transportation Institute while being nationally recognized for its support of current and former military personnel. For more information about Schneider career opportunities, visit www.schneiderjobs.com. You can also connect with Schneider on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jobsatschneider or follow on Twitter @schneiderjobs.