5 Iconic American-Made Semi-Truck Brands
Leading Semi Truck Brands in the U.S. and Their Manufacturing Locations
The United States is home to nearly 3 million semi trucks, which play a vital role in transporting goods across the country. These vehicles are essential to maintaining the flow of commerce and are largely built within the U.S. by some of the country's most prominent truck manufacturers. Each brand has its own unique approach to production, with some focusing on single facilities while others have a more distributed manufacturing network.
Several of these leading brands have deep roots in American industry, while others have established themselves through strategic investments in U.S. manufacturing. With the distinct requirements of American roads and regulations, it’s no surprise that many truckmakers tailor their designs specifically for the domestic market.
Kenworth: A Century of Innovation
Kenworth is a well-known name in the trucking industry, part of PACCAR, a company that has been around for over a century. The brand’s most advanced facility is located in Renton, Washington, where both diesel and all-electric models are produced on the same line. This plant, which opened in 1993, is responsible for building popular models such as the T680, W900, and T800.
In addition to the Renton facility, Kenworth also operates an assembly plant in Chillicothe, Ohio. This older site celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024 and has produced over 750,000 trucks since its opening. While Kenworth is primarily an American brand, it also has a presence in Australia, where its Bayswater plant in Melbourne has been producing trucks since 1970.
Volvo Trucks: A Distinct Division
Although the name "Volvo" is commonly associated with cars like the XC60 and S90, the truck division is separate. Volvo Trucks has its own set of manufacturing facilities, including the New River Valley Plant in Dublin, Virginia. This massive 2.3-million-square-foot facility produces models such as the VNR, VNL, and VNX. Some of these models are available in electric variants, with the VNR Electric being produced at the same location.
In addition to the Virginia plant, Volvo operates several other U.S. facilities. These include a powertrain manufacturing plant in Hagerstown, Maryland, and a remanufacturing parts facility in Middletown, Pennsylvania. These sites support the broader operations of the brand and ensure a steady supply of components for its trucks.
Mack Trucks: Powertrain and Assembly
Mack Trucks is another major player in the U.S. market. The brand has a powertrain manufacturing facility in Hagerstown, Maryland, where engines and transmissions are produced. These components are used in Mack’s integrated powertrain systems, which are easily identifiable by the golden bulldog mascot on the hood.
The actual assembly of Mack trucks takes place at the Lehigh Valley Operations (LVO) plant in Macungie, Pennsylvania. This facility, which has been in operation since 1975, produces both diesel and electric models. It also builds trucks for export markets. While the LVO plant is the main assembly site, Mack’s headquarters is located in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Freightliner: The Most Popular Brand
Freightliner is the most popular semi truck brand in the U.S. by sales and is part of Daimler Trucks, alongside Western Star. Its largest facility is the Cleveland Truck Manufacturing Plant in North Carolina, where models like the Cascadia are produced. This plant also handles the production of Western Star trucks.
Other key locations include the Portland Truck Manufacturing Plant in Oregon, which builds Western Star models and the eM2 electric medium-duty truck. In 2024, Daimler announced a $40 million investment in a new low-emissions powerplant development facility at the Oregon site, signaling a commitment to sustainable manufacturing.
Peterbilt: A Legacy of Excellence
Peterbilt is another major brand under PACCAR, the same company that owns Kenworth. Its primary manufacturing facility is in Denton, Texas, where the assembly line has been in operation since 1980. The plant reached a milestone in 2023 when it produced its 750,000th truck.
Peterbilt has a long history, with its first truck assembled in 1939. The brand has expanded over the years, now offering both conventional on-highway models and all-electric options. In addition to its U.S. plant, Peterbilt also operates a facility in Quebec, Canada, though it recently announced plans to reduce staff due to declining demand.