Daimler Truck North America to close Portland manufacturing plant at end of October

Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) will shut down its Freightliner Swan Island plant in Portland, Oregon, on October 30, ending 57 years of local truck production that began in 1969. The closure, confirmed by a company spokesman on August 3, 2026, will eliminate 375 jobs, though an Oregon state notice lists 387 layoffs. The decision follows a 1981 acquisition of Freightliner and a previous 2008 closure plan that was reversed in 2009. Production of the Western Star X-Series, Freightliner eCascadia, and Freightliner eM2 electric trucks will relocate to facilities in North Carolina and South Carolina as part of DTNA’s network optimization strategy. Portland will retain its role as DTNA’s North American headquarters and engineering hub, with a $40 million engineering and training facility opened in July 2026. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District W24 and Local 1005 will begin union bargaining over severance, benefits, and retiree healthcare on August 3, with an in-person member meeting scheduled for August 15. DTNA cited growing optimism about North American Class 8 truck demand in 2026 and 2027, supported by a July 22 guidance upgrade to 160,000–180,000 vehicle sales for the year. The company also highlighted the Department of Commerce’s approval of its U.S. content application in November 2025, which updated tariff frameworks. DTNA’s Q2 2026 sales rose 8% year-over-year to 41,687 vehicles, marking the first quarterly increase in six quarters, with CEO John O’Leary forecasting continued demand acceleration in the second half of 2026 due to replacement cycles in larger fleets. The Carolinas remain a critical production hub for DTNA, with the Cleveland Truck Plant serving as Freightliner’s largest U.S. facility, alongside Mount Holly (medium-duty models) and Gastonia (stamping and subassembly).