For a number of years, we have been hearing rumors that Daimler will likely put the Western Star truck brand out to pasture, primarily due to the brand’s low market share in the class 8 truck segment. However, this does not appear to be the case.
During the past two years, Western Star has upgraded or is planning to upgrade their entire truck lineup based upon their current platforms.
Western Star typically focuses on the on-highway vocational side of the heavy truck segment along with other niche applications. DTNA has recently placed an emphasis on the on-highway vocational segment with both the Freightliner and Western Star brands.
The vocational truck segment represents approximately 25% of the class 8 truck market. This is somewhat low volume when compared to the class 8 freight segment, but the vocational trucks are highly profitable for the OEMs. Also having more diversification within the heavy truck market somewhat shields the OEMs from the volatility of the freight only segment.
Western Star introduced the 49X vocational truck based upon the 4900 platform into production in early 2021. The 49X model is expected to ultimately replace the 4900 model over the next few years. The 49X is equipped with the Detroit DD15 and DD16 and the Cummins X12 and X15 engine offerings. The Detroit engines come standard with the DT12 vocational automated manual transmission while the Cummins engines are available with the Allison automatic transmission or an Eaton manual transmission.
Toward the end of last year, Western Star introduced the 47X vocational truck model based upon the 4700 platform to accommodate the lighter end of the vocational truck segment. Target applications include bulk haul, snowplows and mixers. The 47X comes standard with the Detroit DD13 engine while the Cummins L9 and X12 engines are also available. The 47X has a number of transmission offerings including the Detroit DT12, Allison 3000 and 4000 automatics and the Eaton manual and automated manual transmissions.
Western Star also plans to re-enter the class 8 long haul segment. After ending production of their long-haul 5700 XE at the end of 2021, Western Star plans to introduce the new 57X long haul truck based upon the 5700 platform into production at their Cleveland plant in 2023. The new 57X will be equipped with the Detroit DD13, DD15 and DD16 engine offerings. The 57X will be available with Detroit Powertrain components including Detroit DT12 direct or overdrive AMT transmissions. The DT12 transmissions increase efficiency while reducing fuel consumption. PSR
Chris Fisher is Senior Commercial Vehicle Analyst at Power Systems Research
