North America's leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, Freightliner LLC, said it intends to divest its American La France fire and emergency services manufacturing business unit.

Based in Ladson S.C., American La France was acquired by the Freightliner organization in 1995 as part of a corporate expansion.
ALF is the country's fifth largest fire and emergency services vehicle producer with a heritage dating back 173 years. It currently operates six manufacturing facilities and five owned dealer locations across the U.S. and has a workforce of approximately 1,200 hourly and salaried employees. ALF produces and distributes a comprehensive line of fire and emergency apparatus including chassis, aerials, ambulances, pumpers, rescues and tankers.
Freightliner LLC President and CEO Chris Patterson said that, as part of DaimlerChrysler, Freightliner continuously reviews its product portfolio and business operation and that, as part of this review, has determined that the fire apparatus business will not continue as a core business of the group in future.
"While the company has been driving improvement programs in recent times and we believe the American La France business has growth and profitability potential, we also believe this potential can be better realized by a company that has a focus on ALF's core markets.
"As a result, we have been in discussion with a number of parties who have an interest in acquiring the assets of ALF and several organizations have emerged as likely investors. Further details will be released as we near a final deal."