It was my first opportunity to visit the world’s most powerful nation to attend the Mid America Truck Show, the largest show for the truck industry in the US. The Mid America truck show is an annual event held in Louisville in Kentucky State. Despite the economic downturn and negative growth in the truck industry, this year’s show was the largest ever with nearly 1,175 companies participating in the event. More than 75,000 trucking professionals visited the show.
It was the not the best of time to write about the US truck industry as the market for class 8 trucks dropped by 40% in 2007 due to the economic downturn. The industry is severely affected by the downturn in the US economy and emission related issues. But the manufacturers expect demand to pick up in 2009 onwards as the new emission regulations will come into force in 2010.
But for someone like me who is crazy about trucks, the show was a mind blowing experience. In fact, in India we don’t get to write much about the US truck manufacturers. The commercial vehicle industry in India is more influenced by European CV manufacturers like Volvo, MAN, Scania, Mercedes, etc. We have very limited influence from the American truck brands. The only major JV is between International and Mahindra for commercial vehicles which will launch the new generation products in 2009.
There are many leading American truck manufacturers like International, Kenworth, Peterbuilt, Freightliner Western Star and Mack. Ofcourse most of these brands have been acquired by European truck manufacturers. Freightliner and Western Star are owned by Daimler, Mack by Volvo and Kenworth by the Paccar Group. Although these brands have been acquired by European manufacturers they have managed to retain the identity of the classic America Trucks they are known for.
The American trucks are in a league of its own. Huge front face and cabins given these trucks a very distinct bold identity which is very American. These trucks are delight to watch.
The only time I remember watching these trucks was in Arnold’s Terminator movie when a huge truck in the climax. In fact, I literally felt like a child dropped in a candy box. I just went crazy over these trucks. The star of the show or can I say in true American style, the Big Daddy of trucks, was the all new Lonestar from International. This truck just blew my mind off. Maintaining the classic American style, the truck has stunning bold looks. In fact I felt like giving up my job and become a truck driver. The Lonestar was unveiled at the MATS by Mr. Deep Kapur, President of Navistar Corporation. Incidentally, Mr. Deep Kapur was responsible for the Mahindra – International joint venture.
I don’t think we will ever get to see these trucks on Indian roads. But these are truckers delight. In fact, majority of the truck operators in the US are Owner Operators. They literally live out of their trucks and cover really long distances on their trucks. Hence most of the trucks come with huge driver cabins which make for both work and sleep. The US sells close to 400,000 of the class 8 heavy duty trucks every year. Class 8 trucks are 500 hp and above. This makes US the world’s single largest market for heavy trucks. But it has not been all that good for the truck industry. 2007 saw the industry drop by more than 40 per cent in absolute volumes and the trend seems to continue during the current year too.
