Work Truck Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

DTNA to Close Portland Facility, Move Manufacturing to the Carolinas

Daimler Truck North America will shift production of the Western Star X-series, Freightliner eCascadia, and Freightliner eM2 from its Portland, Oregon, manufacturing facility to its manufacturing operations in the Carolinas.

August 4, 2026
Graphic showing vocational and medium-duty trucks over a Portland, Oregon map, highlighting Daimler Truck North America's Portland manufacturing operations and diverse commercial vehicle lineup.

Daimler Truck North America has produced the Western Star X series, the Freightliner eM2, and the Freightliner eCascadia at the Portland Truck Manufacturing Plant, but production will now be shifted from that site in Oregon to locations in the Carolinas.

Credit:

DTNA | Work Truck

2 min to read


  • Daimler Truck North America is set to close its Portland, Oregon, manufacturing facility.
  • The production of Western Star X-series, Freightliner eCascadia, and Freightliner eM2 will be relocated.
  • New manufacturing operations for these vehicle models will take place in the Carolinas.

*Summarized by AI

Daimler Truck North America will relocate production from its Portland, Oregon, manufacturing facility to its manufacturing operations in the Carolinas as part of a broader effort that it said will optimize its production network and align resources with future business needs. The Portland Truck Manufacturing Plant will cease production by the end of the year.

Ad Loading...

This Portland Truck Manufacturing Plant has been part of Portland's story for nearly 60 years and part of more than 80 years of building Freightliner trucks in the city.

Ad Loading...

DTNA said this action will help ensure the company is making the right investments in the right locations at the right time, strengthening its long-term competitiveness and industry leadership.

Truck manufacturing operations at Portland Truck Manufacturing Plant will conclude by the end of the year. The Western Star X-series, the Freightliner eCascadia, and Freightliner eM2 have been manufactured in Portland.

“This decision was not made lightly. The Portland team has played a critical role in DTNA's success for decades, and we are deeply grateful for the dedication, expertise, and contributions of our employees,” DTNA said in a statement. “We are committed to supporting impacted team members throughout the transition, including severance benefits, transition assistance, opportunities to explore internal openings, and access to additional support resources.

Our commitment to Portland remains strong. Portland will continue to serve as DTNA's North American headquarters and a key center for engineering, innovation, product development, testing, and validation. We recently expanded our footprint with the opening of a new Engineering Building, further strengthening Portland's role in developing the next generation of commercial vehicle technologies.”

DTNA said it will continue to strategically invest in its products, technologies, manufacturing capabilities, and workforce across North America to best serve customers, support future growth, and maintain reliable production throughout its network.

Ad Loading...

DTNA Production Facilities in the Carolinas

Currently, DTNA has five production facilities in the Carolinas, four in North Carolina and one in South Carolina.

Those locations are:

  • Cleveland Truck Manufacturing Plant, Cleveland, North Carolina
  • Mount Holly Truck Manufacturing plant, Mt. Holly, North Carolina
  • Gastonia Components and Logistics, Gastonia, North Carolina
  • Thomas Built Buses High Point, North Carolina
  • Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation, Gaffney, South Carolina

DTNA said production allocations are being finalized, and it does not have model-by-model manufacturing assignments to share at this time in regards to the relocation of models produced in Portland.


More Vehicle Research

Work Truck Week 2027 promotional graphic over a trade show floor, announcing the March 9–12 event and Future Truck Summit on March 9.
Vehicle Researchby News/Media ReleaseAugust 14, 2026

NTEA Adds Future Truck Summit to Work Truck Week 2027

NTEA is replacing the long-running Green Truck Summit with something new: Future Truck Summit. The event, in collaboration with NAFA Fleet Management Association, is scheduled at the start of Work Truck Week 2027, March 9–12.

Read More →
Covered vehicle body suspended from orange overhead production equipment inside Ford’s Louisville Assembly Plant.
Vehicle Researchby Lauren FletcherAugust 13, 2026

Ford Fathom Production Takes Shape at Louisville Assembly Plant

Ford is rebuilding Louisville Assembly Plant around an entirely new EV manufacturing process. Here’s how the Universal EV Production System will change the way the Ford Fathom midsize electric truck comes together.

Read More →
Work Truck Solutions logo centered over a faded background featuring commercial work trucks.
Vehicle Researchby News/Media ReleaseAugust 13, 2026

Second-Quarter 2026 Commercial Vehicle Data Signals Key Shift in Fleet Turnover and Market Velocity

Work Truck Solutions’ Second-Quarter 2026 Commercial Vehicle Market Analysis reported positive indicators suggesting fleet managers are now rotating aging units, relieving pre-owned inventory friction as business owners move quickly to secure assets.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Fleet manager stands near an EV charging station and looks toward a row of white cargo vans in a rainy fleet yard. Text reads “EV Fleet Reality Check?”
Green FleetAugust 11, 2026

EV Fleet Reality Check: What Operators Wish They Knew Before Electrifying Their Work Vans

Electric work truck upfits bring new compatibility questions. Learn how parts availability, OEM guidance, power demands, and route planning can affect fleet performance.

Read More →
Black Fathom nameplate mounted on a dark textured wall, illuminated by soft directional lighting that creates subtle highlights and shadows, emphasizing the brand’s minimalist, modern aesthetic.
Vehicle Researchby StaffAugust 7, 2026

Ford Unveils Name for Under-$29K Midsize Electric Truck

Ford has unveiled the name of its new midsize electric truck: Fathom. It will have a starting MSRP of $28,350, and preorders will begin in early 2027.

Read More →
Industrial manufacturing facility with multiple robotic arms assembling a heavy-duty truck cab on an automated production line, while workers observe from an elevated platform above the assembly area.
Vehicle Researchby News/Media ReleaseAugust 7, 2026

DTNA Plans to Build New U.S. Manufacturing Facility

Daimler Truck North America plans to build a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in the United States to strengthen its production capabilities across North America. The location has not been disclosed.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Pavement background with double yellow lines and large text that says Recall, August, and Work Truck logo.
Vehicle Researchby Wayne ParhamAugust 5, 2026

Recalls You Need to Know About in August 2026

If you have Altec, Autocar, Chrysler, Daimler Truck, Ford, Heil, International, Orange EV, Paccar, Shyft Group, Volvo Trucks, or Wabash vehicles in your fleet, you should check these important recalls issued by the National Highway Safety Administration.

Read More →
Work Truck Trucks, Tips & Tours YouTube thumbnail featuring a presenter beside a Kenworth T880 vocational truck with the headline, “Power for Every Application,” plus the subhead, “Kenworth T880: Configured Your Way,” and a Truck Chat Watch Now button.
Vehicle Researchby Wayne ParhamAugust 4, 2026

Kenworth T880: Powertrain & Customization Options

Vocational fleets often require trucks tailored to specific applications, and the Kenworth T880 is designed with flexibility in mind. In this video walkaround, Rachel Woods explains how the T880 can be configured to support a broad range of industries and operational requirements.

Read More →
A lot of several vehicles, with the central vehicle being a medium-duty work truck with several workers inspecting it.
SponsoredAugust 1, 2026

Electrification Incentives: The Acquisition Windfall Fleets Can't Miss

Discover how fleets can use tax credits, grants, rebates, and vouchers to dramatically reduce electric truck and charging infrastructure costs—before today’s funding disappears.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Group of Western Star Star Nation participants posing in front of heavy-duty trucks at a quarry, with the text “Inside the Western Star Star Nation Experience.”
Vehicle Researchby Lauren FletcherJuly 31, 2026

Back at Star Nation for a Closer Look at Western Star Trucks and the People Behind Them

Work Truck returned to Western Star’s Star Nation Experience for another hands-on look at the trucks, technology, and operator community behind the brand.

Read More →