Who still manufactures heavy trucks (tractor rigs) in and for the US market? At one time there were lots; Mack, Ford, International/Navistar, Volvo, White, Sterling, Peterbuilt, Kenworth, and probably others.
I know there has been a consolidation in the market, many brands bought other companies. Who’s left? Who makes trucks under someone else’s name? And was there a law passed many years ago about US companies producing trucks that ended up with foreign truck companies buying US manufacturers to meet the letter of the law?
I’m sure there are others with more expertise, but I’ll have a bash.
All the above nameplates (except for White, that’s now Freightliner) are still being marketed, along with Oshkosh and a couple of specialty manufacturers.
Isuzu and Mitsubishi Fuso, I believe, sell medium-duty straight trucks in the US, and Chevy/GMC still do medium-duty trucks (some appear to be rebadged Isuzus).
Here’s a link (domestic and foreign mfr’s):
http://www.autoguide.net/trucks/makers.shtml
PACCAR markets both the Kenworth and Peterbilt brands. Mack is owned by Renault, though they are loath to admit it on their web site.
Just remember that old truckers never die …
They just get a new Peterbuilt.
(I’ve been waiting to tell that one.)
Did Ford sell their heavy truck operation to Volvo? How about GM and Sandia? I didn’t realize that Mack was now owned by Renault, I can see why they don’t advertize it much. Not for a quality issue but an American image thing.
Anyone know about the law requiring US manufacturers to compete for certain contracts? I recall that this lead to a buyout of many US firms.
Volvo sold it’s car unit to Ford; they wanted to concentrate on the truck business.
That’s what I heard.