Freightliner, a brand of Daimler Truck North America (DTNA), recently produced its one millionth Freightliner Cascadia. The Class 8 truck, which featured less maintenace and improved aerodynamics, was launched in 2007. At the same time, DTNA's Detroit engine brand introduced the lighter-weight DD15, an engine designed to reduce parasitic loss and boost fuel efficiency.
“For more than 80 years, Freightliner has been dedicated to serving its customers with purposeful and innovative transportation solutions to help businesses succeed,” said David Carson, SVP of sales and marketing at DTNA. “When the Freightliner Cascadia launched in 2007, it was designed to do exactly that, and we are incredibly grateful to our customers who have placed their trust in the Cascadia and Freightliner to help us reach the 1 million mark.”
The company produced its millionth vehicle after developing four generations of the Freightliner Cascadia, which DTNA claims has led to the truck improving its fuel efficiency by over 35%. The truck is also the base for the SuperTruck initiative, and the company developed a battery-electric iteration, the Freightliner eCascadia, which launched in 2022, and an autonomous Cascadia which is currently in testing with DTNA’s independent subsidiary Torc Robotics.
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Along the way, the Freightliner Cascadia has marked several other milestones, including the following:
- First Generation Cascadia debuted with the Detroit DD15 (2007): Introduced the Cascadia with the heavy-duty Detroit Diesel DD15 engine platform.
- Second Generation Cascadia ‘Evolution’ launched (2012): Unveiled the second-generation Cascadia series engineered to increase fuel efficiency. The launch included the introduction of the Detroit DT12, an Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) that combined the operational ease of an automatic with the efficiency of a manual transmission.
- Detroit Connect introduced (2013): The introduction of Detroit Connect brought the first OEM-provided, factory-installed connectivity suite to the Cascadia.
- Detroit Assurance launched (2015): Detroit Assurance offered as an OEM-designed proprietary suite of safety systems, integrating the Detroit powertrain with safe driving innovations.
- Freightliner Inspiration Truck debuted (2015): Utilized the Freightliner Cascadia as a framework for the first licensed automated commercial truck.
- SuperTruck I unveiled (2015): Freightliner, DTNA, and its project partners demonstrate more than 115% improvement in overall freight efficiency over a 2009 baseline truck.
- Third Generation Cascadia launched (2017): The third generation Cascadia brought advanced aerodynamics, safety features, connectivity advancements, and driver comfort enhancements.
- Fourth Generation Cascadia with SAE L2 capabilities introduced (2019): Becomes the first heavy-duty truck in series production in North America with automated feature enhancements capable of both lateral (steering) and longitudinal (acceleration/deceleration) control.
- Right-hand drive Cascadia launched (2019): Right-hand drive versions of the Freightliner Cascadia became available in international markets like Australia.
- Freightliner eCascadia production started (2022): The battery electric truck, which was initially revealed in 2019 as a customer test vehicle, enters series production.
- SuperTruck II launched (2023): Continued improvements are made in efficient freight design and aerodynamics through the SuperTruck program, co-funded by the DOE. The U.S. Department of Energy also announces funding for the Freightliner SuperTruck III program, slated to be unveiled in 2027.
- Freightliner Cascadia reaches 1 million vehicles produced.
