When you buy a car, you might start with brand affinity: Maybe youd rather push a Ford than drive a Chevy, to quote a hat. Buying a semi truck is different. A truck isnt just a vehicle; its a business asset, often tied to outside forces (leasing companies, lending banks, customer requirements) that have as much to say about your power unit as any brand preference you carry.
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So while were certainly up for discussing the best semi truck brandsand we do have thoughts on the subjectlets get this out of the way first: Most major manufacturers will offer models that meet your business needs. Dont buy a Mack because its a Mack; buy it because it meets the technical specifications you require to keep your trucking company profitableor lease it because its what a trusted lease agent recommends for your business.
With that caveat out of the way, heres an introduction to the best brands of semi truckswhich is to say the top five major manufacturers of semi trucks in the U.S., based on market share.
Freightliner is the leader in class 8 truck sales, securing 37.7% of the total market share in the U.S. as of December . (According to the Federal Highway Administration, a class 8 truck has a gross vehicle weight rating of 33,001 pounds or more; its what we usually mean by the term semi truck.)
Freightliner celebrates its 80th anniversary in , and they offer a full range of heavy-duty semi trucks complete with Detroit powertrains. Most recently, theyre investing in 100% electric vehicles like the eCascadia. Freightliner maintains its market dominance with continual re-investment in technological innovation.
In a distant second, with 14.8% U.S. market share, Peterbilt focuses on customization to match every truck with specific use cases. Its on-highway, class 8 offerings include Model 579 and Model 389, both of which use PACCAR powertrains; the Model 579 is designed for aerodynamics, while the Model 389 features a more classic profile.
Peterbilt has also entered the electric vehicle (EV) market for heavy duty trucks, opening orders for the Model 579 EV in November and the first production model shipped in June .
Kenworth is pacing Peterbilt with 14.6% of the U.S. market share. Like Peterbilt, Kenworth trucks feature PACCAR powertrainswhich is no surprise, since PACCAR owns both brands. PACCAR has a reputation for reliability, which makes both Kenworth and Peterbilt great choices for over-the-road services.
Generally speaking, however, Kenworths come in at a lower price point compared to Peterbilt. And yes, Kenworth has also entered the EV market, with the T680E being its zero-emission offering in the class 8 category.
Volvos heavy duty truck division controlled 10.2% of the U.S. market share at the end of , with its flagship VNL built for long haul jobs. When the VNL hit the market in , it brought a new low-profile hood that promised greater aerodynamicsfeatures every manufacturer touts today. Volvo manufactures its own powertrains (the D series), but also provides the option to substitute a Cummins engine in some models.
Like Volvos consumer vehicle counterpart, Volvo Trucks is plunging into the EV market. The VNR Electric with a 6×4 wheel configuration goes up to 275 miles on a charge, taking it beyond regional delivery routes.
Mack is one of the oldest semi truck manufacturers in the U.S., dating back to . By , they commanded just 8.4% of the total market share. Still, many drivers swear by the Mack name. Mack trucks use Mack powertrains; but since Volvo acquired the company in , truckers have debated the real differences between the Volvo D-series engines and todays Mack MP engines.
The class 8 Mack Anthem is known for making life simpler on service mechanics, with its modular design and tilt-assist hood. So far, Macks only electric offering is a refuse truck, which is probably fine for now, since were still some time off from recharging infrastructure making over-the-road electric hauls the norm.
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Its hard to call any one manufacturer the best. If youre one of the top five manufacturers in your class, you probably offer pretty good products. Every company on our list offers multiple models, each with their own set of customizations; they can all set up a fleet owner for success.
The point is, if you find yourself behind the wheel of a brand new semi truck from any of these manufacturers, youll be able to move freightand keep building your business.
So what makes one semi truck the best for your unique requirements? That will change from one trucking company to the next. As you begin your pre-purchase research, start by answering these five questions (and for more advice on buying your first semi truck, read this):
Another way to phrase this question is: How much can you afford? Used trucks have lower price tags but probably require more maintenance. You may even find that some brokers or shippers refuse to work with you unless you have newer equipment. Consider all these angles when deciding on the right price point and age of the next truck you add to your fleet.
If you run freight through high-grade mountain roads, you may need an engine that puts out more torque. If youre more concerned with getting up to speed while hauling heavy loads, you may look for higher horsepower. Know your routes to choose a vehicle that delivers value based on everything from regional weather to likely load weights.
Some states are more aggressive than others in trying to regulate tailpipe emissions. That can help you make decisions about truck purchases, or suggest you need add-ons like auxiliary power units (APUs) to limit emissions during idling time. It could even steer you toward zero-emission technologies like electric trucks.
An owner-operator may have a strong background in truck mechanics. A fleet owner may be great at logistics and sales, but not have a clue whats going on beneath the hood. That leads to a very different path to purchase; the former owner may know exactly the model and year that will deliver results, while the latter should find a salesperson or leasing agent they trust, and give them the data about what they needletting the expert recommend the right equipment to match.
Like most capital investments, buying a semi truck isnt a one-time operation: Its an ongoing financial relationship. Youll need a solid plan for making those monthly payments, which doesnt just mean transactions on paperit means cash flow.
Brokers and shippers can take weeks to pay. Truck payments are due every month. Many business owners have strong revenues, but run into cash flow problems thanks to the realities of billing and payment schedules. In the trucking industry, at least, there is a solution.
Invoice factoring is a financial tool: A third party purchases your invoices, paying you nearly their full amount instantly, then collecting from your customers when the invoices come due. Youll pay a small percentage of the invoice amount for the service, but in return, you get the cash flow you need to pay down your new semi truck.
Bobtail is a trucker-friendly factoring service that keeps things simple. Unlike many factoring companies, we dont require contracts of any kind. We dont require you to factor all your invoices or charge hidden fees. You simply open the app, upload a bill of lading and rate confirmation, and get fundedall with a single 1.99% to 2.99% factoring fee, depending on the size of your business.
Finding the best semi truck brand for you is just the first step toward ownership. Bobtail can help later in the process, ensuring you always have the liquidity you need to stay up to date on payments. And you can try Bobtail right now, for free. Sign up to learn more about Bobtail and start factoring your trucking invoices today.
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