C:\WEBSHARE\WWWROOT\GLOBAL~1\COMPAN~1\FREIGH~1.HTM

Freightliner vehicles

supporting the US military

Freightliner currently exports to more than 23 countries

Freightliner, one of the most well-respected names in the truck-manufacturing industry, holds a 30-per-cent market share of the US Class 8 truck market.

Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, freightliner corporation is the largest manufacturer of medium- and heavy-duty trucks in north America. Freightliner operates five manufacturing facilities in north America, four in the US and one in Canada, and five assembly plants overseas. The company has been a supplier of trucks to the US military since 1989 and at present it holds a 30-per-cent market share of the US Class 8 truck market.
Freightliner's beginnings can be traced back to the late 1930s when Consolidated Freightways founder Leland James saw the need for a lighter; stronger and more economical truck for his company's long-distance freight hauling. Unable to find a manufacturer willing to tackle his revolutionary truck design, James set out to build one himself. In the process he made trucking history and laid the cornerstone of Freightliner's reputation for innovation and custom building.
Freightliner's commitment to technological leadership took a giant step forward in 1981 when it became partners in the north American truck market with Daimler-Benz AG, the world's foremost automotive engineering company and the world's largest builder of heavy-duty diesel trucks.
Over the years Freightliner has applied its custom-engineering capabilities to construction, heavy-haul and other severe-duty vocations, including military applications. In 1994 the company was the first truck manufacturer to make anti-lock braking systems (ABS) standard equipment on Class 8 trucks.

Freightliner has employed high technology commercial design and manufacturing techniques to build heavy-duty trucks such as the M915A2.

The M915A2 6x4 military truck tractor offers an advanced aerodynamic fuel-efficient design.

Export expansion

In 1991, Freightliner turned its attention to vehicle export for the first time. Through the assistance of Mercedes-Benz and its worldwide distribution network, Freightliner entered markets in Mexico and several central and south American countries and in the Philippines, Asia and the middle east. Although it was the last US truck manufacturer to enter the export arena, Freightliner became the leading US truck exporter by the end of 1992 and currently the company exports to more than 23 countries.
Freightliner has aggressively expanded and modernised its facilities in order to keep pace with the growing demand for its products. Truck-manufacturing plants are located in Portland, OR, Mt Holly, NC, Cleveland, NC and St Thomas, Ontario, Canada. The new Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation manufacturing plant is located in Gaffney, SC. Overseas assembly operations are located in Nazareth, Israel; East London, the Republic of South Africa; Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Mexico City, Mexico and Melbourne, Australia.
Currently Freightliner is under contract with the US Army to furnish M916A1 (6x6 tractor) and M917A1 (6x6 dump truck) vehicles.

This contract began in January 1996 and will extend to 2001. It is an extension of the 1989 contract in which nearly 2,000 of the M915A2 (6x4 tractor) and M916A1 (6x6 tractor) vehicles in conventional and crew-cab versions were contracted for and delivered to the US Army. Freightliner has employed high- technology commercial design and manufacturing techniques in building heavy-duty trucks for military applications that allows the military to take advantage of Freightliner's aerodynamic, fuel-efficient performance and extensive customer-support capabilities.
The M917A1 6x6 military dump truck has an enhanced fuel-efficient design and a heavy- duty construction. A setback axle provides a short turning circle and this results in greater manoeuvrability. The M917A1 also has an all- aluminium corrosion-proof cab. Freightliner's M9156A2 6x6 military truck tractor also has proved popular with the US Army. The model has a Detroit Diesel Series 60 engine with 12.7-litre displacement and a 16.SCFM compressor. The front axle has a 16,000Ib capacity and the rear a 52,000Ib capacity. It employs a four-channel anti-lock brake system and has automatic slack adjusters.
The M915A2 6x4 military truck tractor has proved itself commercially and its advanced aerodynamic fuel-efficient design has helped to enhance its reputation. It has non-asbestos, Rockwell cam brakes and a dual 12/24 system with four 12-volt batteries and its two-passenger aluminium cab has a 90-degree tiltable hood for service accessibility.

Industry leader

Freightliner has demonstrated a unique commitment and capability to invest in its customers, and the market has responded with enthusiasm. During the past 18 years the company has gained in either sales or share of market or both in every year but one. Freightliner assumed north American market leadership in 1992 on the basis of approximately 36,000 new truck sales and four years later in 1996 total truck production exceeded 75,000 units. Net sales during 1996 reached approximately US$4,762 million.
Freightliner consistently has demonstrated its dedication to supporting its customers in their rapidly changing, ever more competitive business environments and the company will continue to support the US military by providing high-technology, highly productive trucks with low maintenance costs.

To Company Profile Contents Global Defence Review