A Kenworth T680 featuring the TourAmerica commemorative paint scheme. (Kenworth Truck Company)
key takeaways:
- Kenworth, Peterbilt, PacLease and XPO introduced patriotic truck and trailer designs tied to the United States’ 250th birthday.
- Kenworth’s design is derived from the mid-1990s TourAmerica T600 paint scheme but updated for current production.
- Production of Peterbilt’s Freedom 250 Special Edition Model 589 is limited to 250 units.
Kenworth Truck Company has brought back a piece of its 1990s design history as the trucking companies are preparing a red, white and blue tribute to the United States of America’s 250th birthday.
Peterbilt Motors Company, PacLease and
Kenworth revives the TourAmerica look
Kenworth’s special-edition paint scheme was created for the Freedom 250 initiative, a nationwide effort celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday and the spirit of American trucking.
The design is taken from Kenworth’s mid-1990s TourAmerica T600 paint scheme but updated for current production. The truck maker said the refreshed look is available to order on sleeper-equipped T680, W900L, W990 and T880 models.
“This paint scheme marks the beginning of an important era in Kenworth’s legacy,” said Kevin Haygood, Kenworth’s assistant general manager of sales and marketing. “The original TourAmerica T600 represents innovation and pride for drivers across the country. Bringing that design forward to today’s models allows us to honor that history as we celebrate our country’s 250th birthday.”
Kenworth also contributed a T680 with a 76-inch integral sleeper to the Freedom 250 Tour, which will utilize a fleet of mobile museums known as “Freedom Trucks”. The trailers are scheduled to tour the United States in 2026 with educational demonstrations for students, families, and communities.
Peterbilt has limited the Model 589 edition to 250 units.
Peterbilt is setting a milestone with the Freedom 250 Special Edition Model 589, a limited-production truck limited to 250 units.
The truck featured a three-color paint scheme with Freedom Red and Freedom Blue metallic paint, Stars and Stripes sleeper badging, Freedom 250 carved exhaust guards, and a Texas Square bumper. Inside, Peterbilt is offering Sandstone or Alpine Gray Platinum trim levels, black leather seats embroidered with the Freedom 250 logo, and a commemorative dash badge.
Peterbilt Freedom 250 Special Edition Model 589. (Peterbilt Motors Company)
“The Freedom 250 Special Edition Model 589 is a tribute to the resiliency and greatness of our nation and the hardworking men and women who move America forward every day,” said Eric Johnson, Peterbilt’s assistant general manager for sales and marketing.
Peterbilt said the special edition Model 589 is available through authorized Peterbilt dealerships. The company is also selling Freedom 250 merchandise at shoppeterbilt.com.
PackLease adds graphics to rental fleet
PackLease is adding Freedom 250 graphics to new U.S.-based rental trucks, including box trucks and day cabs entering service in company stores and participating franchises.
The red, white and blue design includes PacLease branding and the Freedom 250 logo, which the company says is inspired by the Betsy Ross flag and its 13 stars representing the original colonies.
PacLease’s red, white and blue design includes PacLease branding and the Freedom 250 logo. (pacleys)
“We are excited to announce a new graphics package design in honor of America’s 250th anniversary,” said Michelle Harries, director of marketing and service for Packer Leasing. “We want to celebrate with the rest of the industry – other companies will be doing similar projects. Our rental trucks allow us to showcase our pride in America.”
Harry notes that Kenworth’s roots go back to 1923, Peterbilt was founded in 1939 and PacLease has leased and rented those brands for 46 years.
XPO releases patriotic trailer
XPO is focusing on trailers rather than tractors.
The freight transportation company unveiled a fleet of trailers with American flag-inspired branding. The trailers were built at XPO’s manufacturing facility in Searcy and will be transported across the country by the company’s drivers, which include military veterans and drivers with more than 1 million consecutive safe driving miles.
XPO’s specialized trailers are being transported across the country by the company’s drivers, including military veterans and drivers with more than 1 million consecutive safe driving miles. (XPO)
“The trucking industry is the backbone of the American economy,” said Mario Harik, XPO President and CEO. “As we approach the nation’s 250th anniversary, we’re proud to recognize the drivers and freight transportation professionals who help deliver the goods we all depend on every day. These trailers are a tribute to their hard work and dedication to moving America forward.”
XPO said it has produced more than 100,000 trailers at the Searcy facility since it opened in 1994 and moves 16 billion pounds of freight annually.
Greenwich, Conn.-based XPO is ranked No. 5 on Transportation Topics’ Top 100 list of the largest for-hire carriers in North America.
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