When you think of Freightliner, you immediately think of heavy-duty trucks that can carry the heaviest loads of cargo. But, how did this beast of a brand begin? Well, we can trace it all the way back to 1942. At that time, there was a company called Consolidated Freightways, founded by Leland James. For several years, he'd been innovating the existing cargo truck designs to be stronger, more efficient, and more lightweight. By 1942, he'd begun to produce the first trucks under the new Freightliner name, featuring a shorter length, and lightweight aluminum rather than the heavier steel that had been previously used. Shortly after, in the 1950s, the brand expanded to include the B42 and Mountaineer tractors, as well as several sleeper models that allowed for longer journeys.

By the late 1950s, Freightliner was already building quite the name for itself within the trucking industry. In the decades to follow, the brand really took off, creating more and more new and innovative models that helped drivers improve their shipping abilities, while still staying within mandated length requirements, and pushing boundaries when it came to towing and hauling abilities. Some highlights from this era include the 1965 Freightliner Turboliner, which featured a Boeing model 553 gas turbine. This truck weighed an incredible 2,400 pounds less than its diesel-powered competitors! In the 70s, Freightliner began honing in on its more conventional trucks, such as its 100,000th-made truck, the 104" Bumper-to-Back-of-Cab (BBC) stretch-cab tractor, and its FLL low-cab-forward truck, both of which prioritized driver comfort and handling.

Freightliner's innovative truck models quickly gained popularity among drivers! Specifically, the 1987 FLD tractor was the best-selling class-8 truck in all of North America! Later, their signature AirLiner suspension system became the best-selling air suspension system of all time, thanks in part to its built-in airbags. Up through the end of the 90s and into the early 2000s, Freightliner continued to add more and more features that enhanced their already trusted line of trucks, including the Raised Roof Sleeper of 1992, and the Century Class S/T safety package. In 2004, Freightliner built the country's first full-scale wind tunnel that was owned by a North American truck maker. To this day, it is still the only wind tunnel of its kind to be owned and operated by a North American truck company.

In 2007, Freightliner introduced the Cascadia, which would mark a new era in the brand's history. The Cascadia was truly a landmark release, adding tons of features like the lightweight Detroit DD15 engine. Just 4 years later, Freightliner introduced their SD line to diversify their offerings, and better suit a wider range of professionals, including construction workers, miners, and more. Then, in 2015, Freightliner debuted the SuperTruck at the Mid-America Trucking Show. This truck gained recognition as the first licensed commercial truck to run on "autonomous vehicle mode" on the highway. Plus, it also increased efficiency by an incredible 115%!

Still to this day, Freightliner is one of the best-selling brands within the commercial trucking industry. Their vehicles are built on a long and trusted history of quality and innovation. The brand now offers all sorts of vehicles, ranging from medium-duty to severe-duty, and everything in-between! In keeping with their tradition of striving towards efficiency, Freightliner even offers electrified options such as the eCascadia, and eM2. These trucks have truly brought Freightliner's legendary power and capabilities into the modern day, combining decades of design DNA with the latest technology to create highly efficient and strong commercial trucks!

At 56 Auto Sales, we're proud to provide our customers in Ohio and beyond with a wide selection of commercial trucks to meet all your business needs. Whether you're looking for a reliable Freightliner or other heavy-duty options, we have the inventory to keep your operations running smoothly. Feel free to contact us using the form below to learn more about our available Freightliner models, or stop by in person to explore our full lineup. We're here to help you find the right truck for the job!