Peterbilt Joins Other OEMs in Skipping MATS 2016

Peterbilt Motors says it will not exhibit at the Mid-America Trucking Show next year, joining sister company Kenworth, which announced the move earlier this week, and all other heavy-truck original equipment manufacturers that previously deserted the show.

Like the other OEMs, Peterbilt will return in 2017, and will alternate its presence with the biennial IAA Commercial Vehicle show in Hannover, Germany. It is set for next September 22-29.

Last May, Daimler Trucks North America was the first to announce its non-participation in MATS 2016 and an alternating IAA-MATS strategy. Other OEMs -- Volvo, Navistar and Mack, in that order -- followed suit in the in the next few months.

MATS, held in Louisville, is North America’s largest truck show, and it will remain so unless other major exhibitors also decide to pull out. 

Peterbilt issued this statement today:

“After carefully considering our marketing strategies for next year and beyond, Peterbilt has decided to exhibit at the Mid-America Trucking Show on a bi-annual schedule. We wish MATS success in 2016 and we look forward to participating in the 2017 show.

“Additionally, Peterbilt is a Paccar company – a global leader in the manufacturing and support of commercial vehicles – and the bi-annual MATS show strategy will be complemented by Paccar’s participation at IAA, held every other year in Hannover, Germany.”