DTNA to keep Carolinas and Mexico plants open despite new U.S. plant buildout

Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) has confirmed it will not close any additional manufacturing plants in North America beyond its Portland, Oregon facility, despite plans to open its largest U.S. assembly plant. The new plant, whose location remains undecided, is slated to begin construction by the end of 2026 and commence operations in 2029. The move underscores DTNA’s confidence in rising truck demand and its strategy to bolster production flexibility and vocational truck ambitions. “This is a long-term investment, which reflects our confidence in the U.S. market and our commitment to strengthening our manufacturing footprint,” said Daimler Truck CEO Karin Radstrom during the company’s second-quarter 2026 earnings call on August 7. “The new facility will help create a production network that’s more flexible, resilient and positioned to support future growth.” DTNA’s existing North American manufacturing network includes two plants in Mexico—Saltillo and Santiago Tianguistenco—and three in the Carolinas: Cleveland (North Carolina), Mount Holly, and Gastonia. The Cleveland plant is currently DTNA’s largest U.S. manufacturing site. The company will shutter its Swan Island plant in Portland, Oregon, on October 30, marking the end of Freightliner’s manufacturing presence in the city after nearly nine decades. Radstrom cited logistical challenges and low production volumes at the Portland facility as reasons for the closure. Production of the Western Star X-Series, Freightliner eCascadia, and Freightliner eM2 trucks will be relocated to North and South Carolina. DTNA is also expanding operations at its Mount Holly plant in North Carolina, which produces Freightliner trucks. The company plans to rehire 400 employees laid off in July 2025 and add 200 more workers by the end of 2026 to support a second shift. The hiring push aligns with a rebound in the freight market and rising demand for trucks. On July 22, Daimler Truck raised its full-year 2026 sales guidance for DTNA by 10,000 vehicles to a range of 160,000–180,000 units, citing improving demand. Freightliner and Western Star combined captured a 40.8% share of 2025 Class 8 truck sales, with a 39.6% share in the first half of 2026, according to Omdia Automotive data. DTNA’s second-quarter 2026 orders surged 156% year over year to 35,379 vehicles, up from 13,842 in the same period last year. The company maintains its 2026 North American heavy-duty truck sales forecast of 250,000–290,000 units. DTNA’s strategy reflects broader market confidence, with executives noting that larger fleets and rental/leasing customers are placing larger orders, a segment where DTNA has significant exposure. Freightliner’s Cascadia remains the best-selling on-highway tractor in North America, but the company is also targeting growth in the vocational truck segment, particularly for Western Star models.