| As a manufacturer of medium to heavy duty trucks in | | | | Peterbilt brand to be quickly accepted into the heavy |
| the 5 through 8 Class, Peterbilt Motors Co. has | | | | duty commercial vehicle community. The performance |
| developed a name for reliable low-maintenance | | | | of their heavy duty trucks during World War II helped |
| custom trucks. We are going to take a look at the | | | | to solidify their brand for its exceptional quality. |
| history of Peterbilt trucks, so you can understand how | | | | After the war, the Peterbilt Motors Co. continued to |
| this company has developed over time. | | | | grow and expand across the US until it was bought in |
| Before Peterbilt | | | | 1958 by the Pacific Car and Foundry (PACCAR). |
| The original motor company that was bought by T.A. | | | | While PACCAR was also the owner of Peterbilt's |
| Peterman went by the name of Fageol Motors Co. As | | | | main competitor Kenworth, the trucking subsidiaries |
| happened to many businesses during the Great | | | | remain as two separate brands with their own |
| Depression, Fageol Motors succumbed to bankruptcy | | | | operations that continue to compete in the |
| due to the hurt economy. Before this occurred they | | | | marketplace. |
| had produced luxury buses and heavy duty trucks that | | | | Peterbilt Today |
| were rugged and dependable. After the bankruptcy | | | | Peterbilt began as a company that focused on custom |
| the company was run by the Central Bank of Oakland | | | | manufacturing to fit the customer's requirements and |
| and the Waukesha Motor Co. until TA Peterman | | | | this has not changed to this day. This has led to |
| purchased it so that he could build trucks for his lumber | | | | durable trucks that are efficient around the driver's |
| and logging operations. | | | | specific needs and made Peterbilt a favorite among |
| Peterbilt's Beginning | | | | many truck drivers. To that point, Peterbilt was given |
| Originally started in 1939, Peterbilt is not the oldest | | | | the award for the highest customer satisfaction in |
| brand of commercial vehicles but it has carved itself a | | | | medium duty conventional trucks from JD Powers and |
| place among the top truck manufacturing companies in | | | | Associates. With its engineering department and |
| the US. When T.A. Peterman took ownership and | | | | corporate headquarters relocated to Denton, Texas, |
| renamed the company after himself. He set a goal of | | | | the Peterbilt truck manufacturing excellence continues |
| quality over quantity. Many other companies were | | | | into the future. |
| producing trucks as fast as possible. Instead of | | | | Now that you have a little background on how the |
| following this route, the engineers of Peterbilt were | | | | Peterbilt Motors Co. came to be, you have a good |
| sent out into the field and on the job sites to speak | | | | grasp of the company's legacy when it comes to a |
| with the people that would be using the trucks in | | | | commitment to customer service and premium custom |
| day-to-day work. This gave an insight into the needs | | | | trucking designs. |
| of the trucker, and led to innovations that allow for the | | | | |