Daimler to move Freightliner, Western Star production to the Carolinas

Avatar photo

Daimler Truck North America announced it is moving its Freightliner and Western Star production lines out of Portland, Ore., and to factories in North and South Carolina. 

Daimler said 375 workers will be laid off, though some could be offered positions elsewhere in the company. Its North American headquarters will remain in Portland. 

Fifth Generation Freightliner Cascadia on the road
The company traces its truck manufacturing in Oregon to the 1940s. That includes building the flagship Freightliner Cascadia, which first debuted in 2007. (Photo: DTNA)

According to reports, DTNA informed employees on July 29 of the plan to relocate manufacturing operations “as part of a broader effort to optimize its production network and align resources with future business needs.”

Besides Portland, Daimler North America has five assembly plants, including Cleveland, N.C., and Fort Mill, S.C. It also has three plants in Mexico.

Earlier this month, Daimler opened a $40 million engineering hub at its Portland headquarters. 

Avatar photo


Have your say


This is a moderated forum. Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address. (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous, racist, or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances.

*