Autocar Reports a Record-Breaking Year

Autocar launched two new severe-duty vocational truck models, include the first Badass dump truck.

January 12, 2022

Autocar Reports a Record-Breaking Year — The Autocar DC-64D dump truck is the fourth Autocar DC-64 in the severe-duty Class 8 line.
Photo: Autocar

3 min to read

Autocar LLC, manufacturer of severe-duty trucks, announced a record-breaking year. Marking the brands 124th year, Autocar exclusively focuses on building trucks for the vocational truck market. The 100% American-owned company assembles all of its trucks in the U.S.

In 2021, Autocar launched its DC-64 BADASS dump truck and its all-electric E-ACTT terminal tractor. Additionally, the company leveraged new partnership opportunities and maintained its manufacturing throughout this challenging year. The manufacturer of specialized severe-duty, custom-engineered Class 7 and Class 8 vocational trucks continues to focus on its customers’ needs and vocations.

Among many, some of Autocar’s 2021 highlights include:

Introduced Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS) technology in its ACX severe-duty cabover refuse vehicles.
Brought to market the E-ACTT, Autocar’s first emissions-free, all-electric terminal tractor and the only OEM terminal tractor, with an OEM-developed electric vehicle system.
Launched the nation's first BADASS dump truck, the DC-64D, delivered with the company’s tagline: “Always Up.”
Established the first and only national terminal tractor rental program for fleets with America Big Truck Rental.
Donated a custom-engineered DC-64R refuse truck to the Environmental Research and Education Foundation in honor of industry leader, the late Mickey Flood
The DC-64D was named 2021 Contractors’ Top 50 New Products by Equipment Today
Appointed the industry’s first chief experience officer, Craig Antonucci
Received a trademark from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for BADASS
The DC-64D was named one of the top 2021 introductions by Heavy Equipment Guide.

“There is no other way to describe 2021 for Autocar other than BADASS. Our success is fueled by our efforts to provide our customers the very best vocational truck designed to do the jobs they need it to do,” said Andrew Taitz, chairman of Autocar, LLC. “However, what I am most proud of is our team’s tenacity and dedication. Even though we were hit with supply chain issues, we were one of the few OEMs that never stopped manufacturing and kept its entire team employed.”

The Autocar DC-64D dump truck is the fourth Autocar DC-64 in the severe-duty Class 8 line. Autocar exclusively focuses on building the best trucks for the vocational truck market, which is why Autocar collaborated with key industry experts with more than 200 years of severe-duty truck experience to guide the DC-64D dump truck design.

Configured with more than 100 improvements, the DC-64D dump truck’s features include:

Pre-engineered for seamless body integration to avoid significant structural modifications
Multiple Cummins engine options
Provides the industry’s best performance, fuel economy and lower operating costs per mile backed by the best-in-class 24/7 direct factory support
Custom-built for the customer’s vocational and site-specific needs

The purpose-built E-ACTT all-electric terminal tractor helps meet regulatory mandates for the vocational truck industry to reduce fuel consumption and to transition diesel trucks to zero-emission trucks in California. Explicitly designed for spotting trailers and containers at distribution centers, warehouse/trucking yards, industrial operations, intermodal/rail terminals, and port terminals. Autocar’s all-electric E-ACTT terminal tractor’s features include:

Leading-edge temperature-controlled lithium-ion battery technology and onboard charging system
An electric powertrain with telemetry/diagnostic systems designed specifically for severe-duty application by Vorza
Advanced monitoring systems and innovative telematics in every environmentally friendly unit
Custom-built for the customer’s vocational and site-specific needs

Autocar ACX set a new standard for refuse drivers, customers, and communities with its ADAS safety-enhancing features, which include:

Advanced Emergency Braking System
Forward Collision Warning
Stationary Merge Assistant
Blind Spot Detection
Electronic Stability Controls
Rollover Stability Controls

“Autocar has an established reputation for innovation and leads the pack in heavy-duty vocational trucks. We will continue to strive to be the industry leader and are going full throttle into 2022, developing new strategies and even more innovations. Stay tuned,” said Taitz.

Topics:Refuse Trucks Autocar Dump Trucks Terminal Tractors Vehicle Research

More Vehicle Research

POV the truck on the show floor says stop kicking me with image of tire being kicked

Vehicle Research•by Lauren Fletcher•May 4, 2026

POV: You’re the Truck Everyone Won’t Stop Kicking

From tire kickers and door slammers to the hundredth “what engine’s in this thing” question, life on the show floor isn’t exactly easy. In this mockumentary-style video, we flip the script and give you the POV of an Isuzu truck sitting front and center at the booth.

Transparent image of the front of a Mack Truck with a darkened windshield.

Vehicle Research•by News/Media Release•May 1, 2026

Mack Trucks Debuts Mack ImpactShield Windshield Technology on All-New Mack Granite

Mack Trucks will now offer the Mack ImpactShield, a windshield made with Corning Fusion5 Glass, as standard equipment on the all-new Mack Granite vocational trucks starting later this year.

Composite image showing four different photos of a truck ranging from desert to snow, with an orange stripe across the middle of the image with while logos for International and CV Series.

Vehicle Research•by Wayne Parham•April 29, 2026

International CV Series: Medium-Duty Workhorse to End Production

Although International will end production of its CV Series in September, dealers will continue to support the Class 4-6 work truck, and International sees the MV Series filling the niche needs of fleets that have depended on the CV.

White off-road utility truck in the desert.

Vehicle Research•by News/Media Release•April 28, 2026

Acela Truck Company Unveils Monterra II Cab-Over Commercial Truck Chassis

Acela Truck Company is replacing its Monterra with the new Monterra II, which it recently debuted. The new truck will be offered in day cab, extended cab, and crew cab configurations, along with 4x4 and 6x6 drivetrain options.

Vehicle Research•by News/Media Release•April 27, 2026

Final Week to Register for Western Star’s Star Nation Experience

This is the final week to register to be part of the Star Nation Experience, a Western Star event that celebrates professional drivers, their skills, and their expertise. It is an all-expenses-paid event built around competition, camaraderie, and the “Never Back Down” spirit that defines the Western Star community.