Good fortune came to Kenworth when it became the first American truck manufacturer to install diesel engines as standard equipment. It was a major development that allowed Kenworth to develop a powerful and durable line of diesel trucks.
Kenworth in support of the war, began producing components for the Boeing B-17 ‘Flying Fortress’ bomber and the B-29 ‘Super Fortress’ at its Seattle plant. Since Seattle was declared a ‘critical labour area’, the Government required Kenworth to move its M-1 Wrecker production inland, in order to retain its contracts. Kenworth obliged and set up…
The Pacific Car and Foundry company entered the heavy-duty tuck manufacturing business with the acquisition of Seattle-based Kenworth Motor Truck Co. The next year, Kenworth moves into a high capacity assembly plant in South Seattle.
DAF manufactured their first truck in Holland, which was one of three prototypes. The production of commercial vehicles followed with the introduction of three models; the 3 tonne (A30), 5 tonne (A50) and 6 tonne (A60). This growth resulted in the establishment of a larger production facility (9,000m2) on the current Eindhoven site.
Pacific Car and Foundry’ greatly expanded its heavy-duty truck capability with the purchase of Peterbilt Motors Company in 1958. That same year, the acquisition of Dart Truck Company permitted its entry into the entirely new market of mining vehicles.
PACCAR became an international truck manufacturer. Kenworth moved into Mexico with 49 percent participation in an affiliate company, Kenworth Mexicana S.A. de C.V. Also, Carco Acceptance Corporation, currently PACCAR Financial Corp, was launched to facilitate domestic sales of trucks.
In July 1964 the 50,000th DAF truck chassis rolled off the assembly line in Eindhoven Holland.
Kenworth Australia’s 56,000 square foot Bayswater factory and office complex was completed to produce trucks initially on a CKD (Completely Knocked Down) basis. Kenworth Australia has now become a major manufacturing force in the Australian market, also exporting to New Zealand and Papua New Guinea markets.
The Kl OOCR was the first Kenworth model produced in Australia. The Kl 25CR (pictured) was part of the KIOOCR range and was fully assembled at Bayswater from component parts.
The 1000th Kenworth truck manufactured at the Bayswater plant and the people who made it happen. The cab-over was delivered to Switzer’s Transport Services Pty. Ltd. in Eden, NSW. It was promptly put into service as a refrigerated transport truck, mainly carrying fish for the Eden fish co-operative and the local Heinz processing and canning…