Big Rigs · Oregon · November 2, 2026

Daimler Closes Portland Truck Plant That Built Rigs Truckers Know, With Production Moving to the Carolinas

By Big Rig Daily Staff

A Portland truck factory that has built trucks for decades is closed. Daimler Truck North America shut its truck manufacturing plant in Portland, Oregon, for good on Friday, Oct. 30, according to KPTV. The station reports the closure affected almost 400 workers.

The numbers

Daimler announced the move in July and said 375 positions would be eliminated, KPTV reports. A Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) filing, listed on the Oregon Rapid Response WARN page and described by Trucking Dive, lists 387 jobs. That count covers the Portland Truck Manufacturing Plant at 6936 N. Fathom St. and three other nearby locations, including a drop lot and a warranty recovery site. Big Rig Daily could confirm the filing's existence on the state page but read the 387 figure as reported by Trucking Dive.

Trucking Dive says the affected roles include local cartage workers, mechanics, material handlers, supervisors and test fleet drivers. Of the 387 workers, 343 are union represented, and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District W24 and Local 1005 represents 214 of them. Daimler said it is providing transition assistance and directing affected workers to other jobs within the company.

What the plant built

The company told Trucking Dive that brands made at the Portland plant include the Western Star X-Series and the Freightliner eCascadia and eM2 electric trucks. Production is moving to Daimler plants in North Carolina and South Carolina, which the company described as part of an effort to "optimize its production network and align resources with future business needs." Trucking Dive notes the city's manufacturing history with Freightliner began in 1947.

What stays in Portland

Daimler says Portland will remain its North American headquarters. Trucking Dive adds that engineering, testing, validation and technology operations will also stay.

The union response

The IAM said in July that the decision "does not remove the heart and soul that our members have put into their work at Daimler," and that it would support its members regardless of the company's choice. Trucking Dive reports the union planned to begin talks with Daimler to discuss the impact of the closure. Daimler's statement said the decision was not made lightly and that the Portland team "has played a critical role in DTNA's success for decades."

Why it matters on the road

Every semi on the road was built by someone, and where trucks are built can change which communities depend on the industry. Trucking Dive reports Daimler's first-quarter sales were its lowest for a first quarter since 2010, though executives expressed optimism about orders in the second half of 2026. Big Rig Daily has also covered a lawsuit Daimler Truck filed against a former fleet manager.

Quick facts

• Closed: Oct. 30, 2026.
• Where: Portland Truck Manufacturing Plant, 6936 N. Fathom St., Portland, Oregon.
• Jobs: 375 positions per the company's July announcement; 387 per the WARN filing as reported by Trucking Dive.
• Production moves to: plants in North Carolina and South Carolina.
• Stays in Portland: North American headquarters, plus engineering, testing, validation and technology work.

FAQ

How many workers are affected by the Daimler Portland plant closure?

Daimler said 375 positions. The WARN filing, as reported by Trucking Dive, lists 387 jobs across the plant and three nearby locations. KPTV reports almost 400.

Where will Daimler's Portland trucks be built now?

In Daimler plants in North Carolina and South Carolina.

Is Daimler leaving Portland entirely?

No. Portland stays the company's North American headquarters.

A question for readers

Truckers and plant workers, did you ever work at a truck factory or a shop that shut its doors, and what happened to the people who worked there?

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