Who builds Freightliner?
Freightliner trucks are built by Daimler Truck North America, the North American arm of the German company Daimler Truck AG, which owns the Freightliner brand in the United States and Canada.
Freightliner is one of the best-known heavy-duty truck brands in North America. Owned by Daimler Truck AG, the brand relies on DTNA's manufacturing network for final assembly, with components sourced from a global supply chain and a lineup that spans highway tractors, vocational trucks, and medium-duty models. This article explains who builds Freightliner and how the brand fits into its corporate structure.
Corporate structure and ownership
The Freightliner name is part of the Daimler Truck family. In North America, the brand is carried by DTNA, a subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG, the global truck group formed after Daimler AG reorganized its heavy-truck operations. The DTNA ecosystem also includes related entities that support manufacturing, components, and chassis.
- Daimler Truck AG — the global parent company that owns the Freightliner brand as part of its truck portfolio.
- Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) — the U.S. and Canada operating arm that designs, assembles, and services Freightliner trucks.
- Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC) — a DTNA subsidiary that builds chassis for RVs and certain commercial applications.
- Detroit Diesel — the DTNA engine brand that supplies powertrains for many Freightliner models.
These entities together constitute the corporate framework that produces and supports Freightliner trucks in North America, and they reflect the broader Daimler Truck AG strategy of integrating design, manufacturing, and powertrain supply under one umbrella.
Manufacturing footprint and product range
Final assembly for Freightliner trucks occurs at multiple North American facilities operated by DTNA, with a global supply network that sources components from around the world. Freightliner’s lineup includes highway tractors for long-haul applications, medium- and heavy-duty vocational trucks, and specialized chassis through its related subsidiaries. The company has also expanded into electrified models, like the eCascadia, as part of the push toward zero-emission trucking.
History and current status
Freightliner began in the United States during the mid-20th century and became a core brand within the Daimler truck family as the global trucking industry consolidated. Today, Freightliner operates under Daimler Truck AG via DTNA, continuing to build and sell a broad range of commercial vehicles across North America and beyond. The arrangement reflects industry-wide trends toward centralized multinational ownership with region-specific manufacturing and support networks.
Summary
Freightliner is built by Daimler Truck North America, the North American arm of Daimler Truck AG. The trucks are assembled in DTNA facilities across the United States and Canada, supported by a network that includes the FCCC and Detroit Diesel. This structure places Freightliner within a large, globally integrated group that coordinates design, manufacturing, and powertrain supply to serve customers across North America and beyond.
