Peterbilt produced its 1,000,000th truck in January 2018. The truck was a Peterbilt Model 567 Heritage, customized to celebrate this milestone.
2017
The new DAF XF and CF trucks earned the “International Truck of the Year 2018” award, as judged by an independent jury of leading transportation journalists from 23 European countries. The award is presented to a new truck or model range that has made the largest contribution to road transportation efficiency based on several criteria, including technological innovation, driver comfort, safety, fuel efficiency, environmental leadership and low total cost of ownership.
2017
DAF recently introduced their new 2017 XF and CF trucks at the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham, U.K. These excellent new vehicles incorporate advanced aerodynamics, enhanced powertrain performance and lightweight materials to provide customers with up to seven percent greater fuel efficiency.
2017
PACCAR introduced a new proprietary front axle for Kenworth and Peterbilt vehicles. The PACCAR axle is designed for construction and vocational applications that support infrastructure investments.
2017
PACCAR launches its Silicon Valley Innovation Center in Sunnyvale, California. The center will coordinate next-generation product development and identify emerging technologies that will benefit future vehicle performance.
2017
PACCAR introduced the new PACCAR Automated Transmission, the lightest heavy-duty transmission for on-highway commercial vehicles. The PACCAR transmission is designed to complement the superior performance of PACCAR MX engines and PACCAR axles.
2017
The PACCAR engine factory in Columbus, Mississippi, is honored as Quality magazine's plant of the year for 2017. The world class factory has produced over 130,000 engines since it was opened in 2010.
2016
PACCAR Parts opens its new 160,000 sq. ft. Parts Distribution Center in Renton, Washington.
2016
DAF participates in the European Truck Platooning Challenge with its EcoTwin concept. DAF designed an application to allow a second vehicle to automatically follow a lead vehicle during a highway trip between Belgium and the Netherlands. Platooning can provide fuel savings and CO2 emission reductions of up to 10 percent.
2016
PACCAR launched a new proprietary tandem axle that is the industry’s lightest and most efficient axle in its class. The new PACCAR axle is designed to improve the operating efficiency for line haul, regional haul and pick-up and delivery customers.
2016
DAF celebrates 20 years as a PACCAR company. DAF was acquired in November 1996.
2015
PACCAR introduces the PACCAR MX-11 engine for North America in October 2015.
2015
PACCAR Leasing begins operations in Australia.
2014
Kenworth produces its one millionth truck at its Chillicothe, Ohio, assembly facility, an aerodynamic Kenworth T680 Advantage powered by a PACCAR MX-13 engine.
2014
DAF’s cab factory in Westerlo, Belgium, produces its one millionth DAF cab.
2014
Peterbilt celebrates its 75th anniversary. Peterbilt has produced more than 800,000 commercial vehicles in its history.
2014
Ron E. Armstrong is named Chief Executive Officer, effective April 27, 2014. Mark Pigott becomes executive chairman of PACCAR’s board of directors.
2013
PACCAR celebrates the opening of its new DAF assembly plant in Ponta Grossa, Brasil in the state of Parana on October 2, 2013. The 300,000 sq. ft. assembly facility on 569 acres is a high-tech, environmentally friendly plant.
2012
The DAF CF earned the U.K. Fleet Truck of the Year award for 2012.
2011
PACCAR Establishes Technical Center in Pune, India with its partner KPIT, a leading technology solutions company.
2011
PACCAR earns the #1 technology ranking in InformationWeek magazine's 2011 Top 500 company listing.
2010
PACCAR launches MX-13 engine in North America.
2009
PACCAR Honored for Environmental Leadership — PACCAR's corporate office and its Kenworth Truck company manufacturing facility in Renton are named as leaders in King County, Washington's 2009 Best Workplaces for Recyclers.
2009
PACCAR completes construction of its new world-class engine production facility in Columbus, Mississippi. PACCAR MX engines become available in Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks in 2010.
2007
The DAF XF105 earns the 2007 International Truck of the Year. Kenworth is awarded three J.D. Power and Associates awards for customer satisfaction among Class 8 truck owners and Peterbilt wins the medium-duty conventional truck category for the sixth time since 1999.
2006
PACCAR is awarded the prestigious National Medal of Technology, the nation's highest honor for technological innovation, for industry leadership in its pioneering research and development of aerodynamic, fuel-efficient commercial vehicles. Presented to Mark C. Pigott by President George W. Bush on February 13, 2006.
2005
PACCAR celebrates its 100th year of operation with record revenues, net income and trucks delivered. Kenworth wins five J.D. Power and Associates awards in the heavy and medium truck categories.
2004
PACCAR wins the International Stevie Award for Best Multinational Company. Kenworth ranks highest in customer satisfaction among vocational Class 8 trucks and medium-duty truck dealer service in the 2004 J.D. Power & Associates customer satisfaction studies.
2003
Kenworth and Peterbilt sweep the 2003 J.D. Power and Associates Awards for Customer Satisfaction among Class 8 truck drivers.
2002
The DAF LF wins the 2002 International Truck of the Year Award.
1999
The Peterbilt 330 is the highest ranked medium-duty conventional truck in the J.D. Power and Associates customer satisfaction survey.
1998
PACCAR acquires Leyland Trucks, one of Britain's leading manufacturing companies. The top-selling DAF 95XF wins the prestigious International Truck of the Year 1998 award and Kenworth celebrates its 75th anniversary.
1997
Mark Pigott becomes Chairman and CEO, carrying forward his great-grandfather's vision and legacy. Kenworth opens a truck manufacturing plant in Ste-Thérèse, Québec.
1996
PACCAR acquires DAF Trucks N.V., greatly expanding its European truck manufacturing capability.
1995
Kenworth T600 receives the National Award for the Advancement of Motor Vehicle Research and Development.
1993
A new Kenworth assembly plant opens in Renton, Washington on the former site of Pacific Car & Foundry.
1986
Peterbilt Introduces the 379.
1982
PACCAR Technical Center, a world-class research and testing facility, opens in Mount Vernon, Washington.
1980
PACCAR acquires Foden Trucks, one of the oldest truck producers in the world. PACCAR Leasing Corporation launches to provide full-service leasing and rental through PACCAR's dealer network.
1979
Kenworth develops a 90-wheel transporter used to move the space shuttle from the hanger to the flight assembly building.
1978
PACCAR receives an order from the People's Republic of China for 22 Kenworth trucks.
1973
PACCAR purchases Wagner Mining Equipment Company, a leading manufacturer of underground mining vehicles. PACCAR Parts established to support truck sales and service through Kenworth and Peterbilt dealers. Kenworth opens its Chillicothe, Ohio, truck assembly plant.
1972
PACCAR International Inc. is established to consolidate sales and services of company products overseas.
1972
Pacific Car and Foundry Co. merges into PACCAR Inc on January 25, 1972. That same year, Kenworth celebrates its 50th anniversary.
1971
The first "Australian-made" Kenworth, a K12CR, is built in a newly completed factory in Melbourne.
1971
PACCAR Inc incorporated and begins trading on the newly formed NASDAQ stock exchange on February 4, 1971, as one of the 2,500 founding members
1968
The Dynacraft division is formed to provide belts, hoses, adapters, and accessories for Kenworth and Peterbilt truck plants.
1966
Kenworth Motor Trucks Pty. Ltd formed in Melbourne, Australia to assemble imported completely knocked down (CKD) units.
1965
Charles M. Pigott takes over as President, the third generation of the Pigott family to run the company.
1962
Pacific Car and Foundry fabricates steel for Seattle's iconic Space Needle, built for the 1962 World's Fair.
1960
PACCAR forms joint venture with Gustavo Vildosola Castro in Mexico to form Kenworth Mexicana.
1958
Peterbilt Motors Company is acquired, significantly increasing Pacific Car and Foundry’s heavy-duty truck capability.
1955
Kenworth's first international subsidiary, Canadian Kenworth Ltd., is formed and begins producing trucks in Burnaby, British Columbia.
1949
DAF Trucks begins producing its first truck, the model A-30. Four years later, the factory receives a large order for military trucks, setting the course for large-scale truck production.
1945
Pacific Car and Foundry enters the truck manufacturing business with the acquisition of Seattle-based Kenworth Motor Truck Co. The next year, Kenworth moves into a high-capacity assembly plant in South Seattle.
1941
Pacific Car joins the war effort by supplying Sherman tanks, components for Boeing B-17 bombers, steel for new defense factories, and logging and mining equipment.
1939
T.A. Peterman acquires Fageol Motor Car Company, changes the name to Peterbilt Trucks, and begins producing trucks for the timber industry.
1934
Paul Pigott acquires a major interest in Pacific Car after American Car falls on hard times during the Great Depression. With railcar orders at a standstill, Pacific Car diversifies into other products, including the Carco line of power winches.
1933
Kenworth becomes the first American truck manufacturer to install diesel engines as standard equipment.
1930
Pacific Car and Foundry patents Carcometal, a strong lightweight steel for use in dams, bridges, and buidings.
1929
Kenworth opens a new Seattle factory to position the company for rapid growth.
1928
Wim and Huub van Doorne establish the engineering company that will become Van Doome's Aanhangwagenfabriek, abbreviated DAF, in The Netherlands.
1924
William Pigott Sr. sells control of Pacific Car and Foundry to American Car and Foundry.
1923
Kent and Worthington rename their young company Kenworth Motor Truck Company and establish headquarters in Seattle.
1917
Edgar Worthington and partner Captain Frederick Kent acquire Gerlinger Motor Car Company and rename it the Gersix Motor Company. Twohy Brothers Company merges with Seattle Car & Foundry and the company is renamed Pacific Car & Foundry Company.
1911
Seattle Car is renamed Seattle Car & Foundry Co. to better reflect innovative steel-making capabilities for the rapidly growing West Coast.
1908
Seattle Car opens a 120-acre railcar assembly plant in Renton, Washington.
1905
William Pigott, Sr. founds Seattle Car Manufacturing Co. to produce railway and logging equipment.
In 1905, William Pigott, Sr. founded Seattle Car Mfg. Co. to produce railway and logging equipment at its plant in West Seattle. The Company later merged with Twohy Brothers of Portland to become Pacific Car and Foundry Company, a name it retained for the next 55 years. In 1924, William Pigott sold control of the Company to American Car and Foundry Company.
Paul Pigott, son of the founder, acquired a major interest in the Company from American Car in 1934. Under his leadership, the Company expanded its products and introduced the Carco line of power winches for use on crawler tractors in the logging industry. This product line later became the basis for PACCAR's Winch Division located in Oklahoma, which now includes Braden, Carco and Gearmatic.
The Company entered the heavy-duty truck market in 1945 with its first major acquisition, Kenworth Motor Truck Company of Seattle. Pacific Car and Foundry greatly expanded its heavy-duty truck capability with the purchase of Peterbilt Motors Company in 1958. That same year, the acquisition of Dart Truck Company permitted its entry into the entirely new market of mining vehicles.
The Company's Structural Steel Division fabricated the steel for the construction of the Space Needle for the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. Later, it played a major part in the construction of the Grand Coulee Dam's third powerhouse as well as New York City's World Trade Center.
In 1960, PACCAR became an international truck manufacturer. Kenworth moved into Mexico with 49 percent participation in an affiliate company, Kenworth Mexicana S.A. de C.V., and in 1966 PACCAR entered the Australian truck market with the establishment of a Kenworth Truck assembly plant near Melbourne.
Also in 1960, Carco Acceptance Corporation, currently PACCAR Financial Corp., was launched to facilitate domestic sales of trucks.
In 1967 the Dynacraft division was formed to provide belts, hoses, adapters, and other accessories for Kenworth and Peterbilt truck plants. In 1969, 28 acres of land were purchased at suburban Bayswater - 30 kms east of Melbourne for Kenworth Australia. Construction plans were drawn up and by 1970, the 56,000 sq ft factory and office complex was completed to produce trucks initially on a CKD (Completely Knocked Down) basis. During Kenworth Australia's 35 year history in Australia, it has become a major manufacturing force in the Australian, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea markets.
Believing "Pacific Car and Foundry Company" no longer accurately reflected the Company's products and activities, directors and shareholders voted to adopt PACCAR Inc as its new name in 1972.
In 1973, two major divisions of PACCAR were founded. PACCAR International Inc., with headquarters in Bellevue, Washington, was formed to consolidate the sales and service of company products abroad, and PACCAR Parts Division was established in Renton to supply aftermarket parts sales.
PACCAR Leasing Corporation was formed in 1980 to offer full-service leasing and rental programs through PACCAR's dealer network. A year later, PACCAR became a European truck manufacturer with the acquisition of Foden Trucks in Sandbach, U.K.
PACCAR's new Technical Center opened in July of 1982. Located approximately 65 miles north of Seattle, the multimillion-dollar center underscored the Company's commitment to technical excellence, quality and value in the products it manufactures.
In 1986, PACCAR signed a merger agreement with Trico Industries, Inc., and became a recognized world leader in manufacturing oil field pumps and accessories. In December 1997 Trico was sold to EVI of Houston.
In 1987, PACCAR acquired Washington-based Al's Auto Supply, an aftermarket retailer and wholesale distributor of auto parts and accessories. In 1988, PACCAR expanded its subsidiary PACCAR Automotive, Inc. when it purchased Grand Auto, Inc., a California-based retailer of auto parts and accessories. In October 1999, PACCAR Automotive was sold to CSK Auto, Inc.
PACCAR solidified its place in the Mexican heavy-duty truck market by purchasing the remaining portion of its Mexican Operation, VILPAC, S.A. in 1995.
The acquisition of DAF Trucks N.V. in 1996 and Leyland Trucks in 1998 established PACCAR as one of the major truck manufacturers in the world. DAF Trucks is a Netherlands based truck company with production facilities in Eindhoven, the Netherlands and Westerlo, Belgium. Leyland manufactures DAF trucks at its plant in Lancashire, England.
In 2010, PACCAR unveiled its PACCAR MX engine line for North America. While the MX engine was new to the North American market, DAF has been building engines in Europe since 1957. PACCAR invested $400 million in the PACCAR Engine factory and technology center in Columbus, Mississippi, to assemble the proprietary engines.
In 2013, PACCAR expanded its global operations with the opening of a new DAF factory in Ponta Grossa, Brasil. The company invested $320 million in the 300,000 sq ft assembly facility on 569 acres. The factory assembles the DAF XF and CF vehicles for the South American market.
PACCAR announced its Silicon Valley Innovation Center in Sunnyvale, California in 2017. The center coordinates next-generation product development and identifies emerging technologies that will benefit future vehicle performance.
PACCAR is a global technology leader in the design, manufacture and customer support of high-quality light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks under the Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF nameplates. PACCAR also designs and manufactures advanced diesel engines, provides financial services and information technology, and distributes truck parts related to its principal business.
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