Western Star Trucks

Last updated
Western Star Trucks Sales, Inc.
Company type Subsidiary
Industry Automotive
Founded1967 (1967), Kelowna, Canada
Founder White Motor Company
Headquarters,
Key people
Roger Nielson (President, CEO)
Dave Carson (President)
Products Trucks
Parent Daimler Truck North America
Subsidiaries ERF (1996–2000)
Website westernstarstrucks.com

Western Star Trucks Sales, Inc. is an American truck manufacturer headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and a subsidiary of Daimler Truck North America, which is an independent subsidiary of the multinational Daimler Truck. Western Star trucks are commonly sold at Freightliner dealerships.

Contents

History

A 1997 "heritage"-style Western Star 4900 Western star.jpg
A 1997 "heritage"-style Western Star 4900

In 1967 White Motor Company started the Western Star division as White Western Star with a new plant at Kelowna, British Columbia, sharing headquarters with White in Cleveland, Ohio. White Western Star trucks in that era typically used cabs from its sister company, Autocar. Western Star production was moved to Ogden, Utah, but the brand was not included in the 1981 sale of White's truck business to Volvo, instead being sold to Bow Valley Resources and Nova Corporation, each owning 50%. [1] [2] [3]

In 1991, Western Star Trucks was purchased by the owners of the Western Star Australian subsidiary, Terry Peabody and Bob Shand. [1] Western Star Trucks acquired the bus manufacturer Ontario Bus Industries (renamed Orion Bus Industries) in 1995. ERF trucks was purchased by Western Star in 1996. [4] [5] It was sold in 2000 to MAN. [6]

In 2000, Western Star was purchased by DaimlerChrysler, becoming part of the Freightliner Trucks division. [2] [7] [8]

In 2002, Western Star production was moved to a plant in Portland, Oregon. [9] In May 2015, the Daimler Truck North America plant in Cleveland, North Carolina, began to build 4700 and 4900 models, as well as assemble all new semi tractor 5700XE models. [10]

More recently, Western Star MBT 40 trucks operated for bauxite mining in Guinea.[ citation needed ]

Current models

In 2022 Western Star announced and released the X Series of trucks to market, replacing the then current "Constellation" Series which had been in production since 1998/99. The new X series of Western Star trucks includes; 47X, 48X (Australia only), 49X and 57X.

Western Star 49X Western Star 49X.jpg
Western Star 49X

The 47X is the entry level model, used mostly for vocational purposes, such as adding a dump bed or cement mixer. The 47X can also be used with a standard 5th wheel connector to tow standard trailers. The 47X is available in a day cab configuration, along with 36″ and 48″ sleeper options. [11]

The 49X is also a vocational truck, that is a bit more heavy duty and has more customizability. The 49X is available as a standard semi and extra attachments can be added. The 49x is available in multiple cab configurations, including day cab, 36″ sleeper, 48″ sleeper, 60″ sleeper and 72″ sleeper. The 36″ is a trench style low roof, while the 48″ and 60″ are available in mid roof. The 72″ is available in high roof and mid roof. [12]

The 57X is the on-highway variant which uses Freightliner Cascadia chassis and the cab but have many improvements such as reinforced cabin bones, different doors, Stylish Aerodynamic front end with applying of two stage heated headlights and Stainless steel Chrome grille, It also implements digital cockpit as standart equipment but costumers still can opt for standart analog dashboard. designed as On-Highway semi truck capable of towing semi trailers, with little to no vocational applications. The 57X is a more premium model than its vocational counterparts. And every 57X handbuilt in Clevland North Carolina. The 57X comes in multiple configurations, including day cab, and 60″ mid roof and 72″ high roof sleeper options.

Available Transmissions is Automated Manual DD12 in different specifications and Eaton Automated Manual/Manual gearboxes. [13] [14]

Previous models

Western Star previously offered the following models:

See also

Related Research Articles

The White Motor Company was an American automobile, truck, bus and agricultural tractor manufacturer from 1900 until 1980. The company also produced bicycles, roller skates, automatic lathes, and sewing machines. Before World War II, the company was based in Cleveland, Ohio. White Diesel Engine Division in Springfield, Ohio, manufactured diesel engine generators, which powered U.S. military equipment and infrastructure, namely Army Nike and Air Force Bomarc launch complexes, and other guided missile installations and proving grounds, sections of SAGE and DEW Line stations, radars, Combat Direction Centers and other ground facilities of the U.S. aerospace defense ring, such as the Texas Towers.

Freightliner Trucks is a US semi truck manufacturer. Founded in 1929 as the truck-manufacturing division of Consolidated Freightways, the company was established in 1942 as Freightliner Corporation. Owned by Daimler AG from 1981 to 2021, Freightliner is now a part of Daimler Truck subsidiary Daimler Truck North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peterbilt</span> American truck manufacture

Peterbilt Motors Company is an American truck manufacturer. Established in 1939 from the acquisition of Fageol Truck and Motor Company, Peterbilt specializes in the production of heavy-duty and medium-duty commercial vehicles. The namesake of company founder T. A. "Al" Peterman, Peterbilt has operated as part of PACCAR since 1958, operating alongside sister division Kenworth Truck Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sterling Trucks</span> Former US truck manufacturer

Sterling Trucks Corporation was an American truck manufacturer. Founded in 1998, Sterling was created following the 1997 acquisition of the heavy-truck product lines of Ford Motor Company by Freightliner. Taking its nameplate from a long-defunct truck manufacturer, Sterling was slotted between Freightliner and Western Star within the Daimler product range.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ERF (truck manufacturer)</span> British truck manufacturer

ERF was a British truck manufacturer established in 1933 by Edwin Richard Foden, from whose initials the company was named. Its factory in Middlewich closed in 2002, and it was discontinued as a marque by owner MAN in 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chevrolet Kodiak</span> Series of medium-duty trucks by General Motors

The Chevrolet Kodiak and GMC TopKick are a range of medium-duty trucks that were produced by the Chevrolet and GMC divisions of General Motors from 1980 to 2009. Introduced as a variant of the medium-duty C/K truck line, three generations were produced. Slotted between the C/K trucks and the GMC Brigadier Class 8 conventional, the Kodiak/TopKick were developed as a basis for vocationally oriented trucks, including cargo haulers, dump trucks, and similar vehicles; on later generations, both cutaway and cowled-chassis variants were produced for bus use.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cab over</span> Truck with cabin above the engine

Cab-over, also known as cab over engine (COE), cab forward or flat face (U.S.), flat nose (Canada), or forward control (UK), is a body style of truck, bus, or van that has a vertical front, "flat face" or a semi-hood, with the cab of the truck sitting above the front axle. This contrasts with a conventional truck where the engine is mounted in front of the driver.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GMC Astro</span> Motor vehicle

The GMC Astro is a heavy-duty cabover truck that was manufactured by the GMC Truck and Coach Division of General Motors from the 1969 to 1987 model years. Succeeding the F/D-series "Crackerbox" cabovers, the Astro was marketed by Chevrolet as the Titan, serving as the largest cabover truck ever produced by General Motors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International DuraStar</span> Medium-duty truck series

The International MV, known as the 4000 series prior to 2008 and the DuraStar from 2008 to 2018, is a line of medium-duty trucks produced by Navistar International since 2001. Introduced as the successor to the International 4000 series of 1989–2001, the 4000 series was renamed the DuraStar in 2008. Sharing its chassis with the medium-duty Ford F-Series, the International DuraStar competed against chassis cab vehicles derived from pickup trucks, such as the Freightliner M2 and the Hino 600, Developed as a Class 6-7 product range, the 4000/DuraStar was slotted below the 8000/TranStar regional-haul semitractor, with the Class 5 International TerraStar (2010–2015) serving as the smallest International conventional-cab product range.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenworth T600</span> Motor vehicle

The KenworthT600 is a model line of conventional-cab trucks that were produced by the American truck manufacturer Kenworth from 1984 to 2007. Distinguished by its aerodynamic sloped hood, the T600 was a Class 8 truck, typically sold in semitractor configuration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford L series</span> Motor vehicle

The Ford L-series is a range of commercial trucks that were assembled and marketed by Ford between 1970 and 1998. They are also known as Ford Louisville or, for the 1990s aerodynamic models, Ford Aeromax. The first dedicated Class 8 truck produced by the company, although Ford had been producing "Heavy Duty" trucks since 1948 and their "Super Duty" lineup since 1958. The L-Series was the successor of the F-900/F-1000 Super Duty and the Ford N-Series. The line encompassed a wide range of models in GVWR Classes 6 through 8, as either straight trucks or as semi-tractors, with vehicles developed for medium-duty, on-highway, severe-service, and vocational applications.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International ProStar</span> Motor vehicle

The International ProStar is a line of Class 8 trucks that was manufactured by Navistar International from 2006 to 2017. Marking the introduction of the "-Star" branding nomenclature to International, the conventional-cab ProStar replaced the 9400i. Competing against the Freightliner Cascadia and the Kenworth T2000/Peterbilt 387, the ProStar was an aerodynamically-enhanced conventional.

Daimler Truck North America LLC is an automotive industry manufacturer of commercial vehicles headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and LLC of the German multinational Daimler Truck AG.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International LoneStar</span> Motor vehicle

The International LoneStar is a model line of conventional-cab trucks produced by Navistar International since the 2009 model year. The flagship model line of the company, the LoneStar is marketed as its largest on-highway truck, slotted above the International LT. Unveiled at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show, the Lonestar is the largest road vehicle ever introduced at the event.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freightliner Cascadia</span> Heavy-duty truck

The Freightliner Cascadia is a heavy-duty semi-trailer truck produced by Freightliner Trucks. Its design took fuel efficiency into great consideration, as well as having improved upon several other features including the powertrain offerings, sound mitigation, safety systems, and overall mechanical reliability from its predecessors. It is offered in three basic configurations: Day Cab, Mid-Roof XT, and Raised Roof. The latter two models are sleeper cabs, offered in various lengths, ranging from 48 to 72 inches. The Cascadia was sold chiefly in North America until 2020, when an export, primarily geared towards the Australian and New Zealand markets, was introduced. Prior to the introduction of the export variant, its place remained occupied by the Freightliner Century for export markets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freightliner Argosy</span> Model line of cabover trucks

The Freightliner Argosy is a model line of cabover trucks that was produced by the American truck manufacturer Freightliner from the 1999 to 2020 model years. Developed as the replacement for the FLB cabover, the Argosy was a Class 8 truck, configured primarily for highway use. Competing against the International 9800, Kenworth K100E, and Peterbilt 362, the Argosy was the final Class 8 cabover marketed in North America, following the decline in use of the design in the United States and Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freightliner Century Class</span> Motor vehicle

The Freightliner Century Class is a Class 8 truck that was produced by Freightliner from 1996 to 2010. The inaugural model of the C-Series family of Freightliner conventional-hood trucks, the Century Class replaced the FLD conventional. The model line is an aerodynamic-style sloped-hood conventional, fitted with either a day cab or rear sleeper cab.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freightliner Business Class M2</span> Motor vehicle

The Freightliner Business Class M2 is a model range of medium-duty trucks produced by Freightliner since the 2003 model year. The first generation of the Business Class developed entirely by Freightliner, the M2 replaced the FL-Series introduced in 1991. Serving as a Class 5-Class 8 product range, the M2 competes primarily against the International MV and the Ford F-650/F-750 Super Duty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freightliner Business Class (FL-Series)</span> Motor vehicle

The Freightliner Business Class (FL-Series) is a range of medium-duty trucks that was assembled by the American manufacturer Freightliner Trucks from 1991 to 2007. The first medium-duty trucks sold by the company, the FL60/FL70 replaced the Mercedes-Benz L-series trucks which were withdrawn from the United States market during 1991. The Business Class range was sold as both a straight truck and a semitractor. During the late 1990s, the Business Class would become popular in bus applications, in both cowled-chassis and cutaway-cab configurations.

References