PORTLAND, OR — Freightliner LLC will be changing its corporate name to Daimler Trucks North America LLC, effective Jan. 7, 2008. This corporate identity change occurs in conjunction with the name change for parent company DaimlerChrysler AG to Daimler AG. Freightliner LLC has been a part of Daimler AG or one of its predecessor companies since 1981.
A new Daimler logo was unveiled this week in Stuttgart, Germany, and in Daimler business units worldwide, underscoring the company transformation which began with the divestiture of the former Chrysler Group (now Chrysler LLC) on Aug. 3. At the same time, the name of the former DaimlerChrysler Truck Group was changed to Daimler Trucks.
Freightliner LLC, soon to be called Daimler Trucks North America, manufactures, distributes and services products under the nameplates Detroit Diesel, Freightliner Trucks, Freightliner Custom Chassis, Mercedes-Benz engines and transmissions, Sterling Trucks, Thomas Built Buses, and Western Star Trucks, and is a leader in each of the markets in which it competes. Elsewhere in the world, the company is affiliated with Mercedes-Benz Trucks and Mitsubishi Fuso Trucks and Buses.
"Our business has changed dramatically in the past decade, and our name should reflect that reality," said Chris Patterson, president and chief executive officer. "The transition occurring in our parent company presented us with the opportunity to stop and examine our own organization and position in the industry. The time is right to implement a name change that reflects both our global DNA and our broad responsibilities within the NAFTA region."
Company officials stress that existing operations, structure and brand strategies will not be affected. They also affirm that the name change will not impact dealer operations or supplier relationships.
"We are confident and comfortable that our employees, dealers, customers, and suppliers will see this as a non-issue in their day-to-day operations," said Patterson. "Our strength has always resided in the products we produce under our various nameplates and the services we provide," he added. "That won’t change at all."
