Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Freightliner’s Hebe Speaks Out

Government and safety representatives are willing to look at bigger and heavier trucks if the industry can prove they’re safer and easier on the roads, said Freightliner President and CEO Jim Hebe Tuesday at a press conference at the company’s Portland, OR, headquarters

by Staff
February 4, 1999
2 min to read


Government and safety representatives are willing to look at bigger and heavier trucks if the industry can prove they’re safer and easier on the roads, said Freightliner President and CEO Jim Hebe Tuesday at a press conference at the company’s Portland, OR, headquarters.

Freightliner’s Argosy concept vehicle, which featured a 58-foot Wabash concept trailer behind the new Argosy cabover, did not go over very well. But Hebe says “the industry and government can work together in a trade-off between productivity and safety.”
As for some fleets’ concerns that longer trailers only mean getting paid the same amount for carrying more freight, Hebe’s position is that fleets need to get better at charging for the improved productivity.
Hebe also told reporters that 1998 was the best year Freightliner has ever had, passing Navistar as the largest maker of commercial vehicles in Class 4-8. Business Class production at Freightliner’s Mount Holly plant nearly doubled from the previous year. Hebe is looking for more of the same in 1999, and is expecting no recession. He predicts Freightliner will build 176,000 trucks this year.
Freightliner is also being very aggressive in expanding its presence on the World Wide Web. The company believes the customer has the right to know everything he wants to know about his truck, and with a growing number of trucks being spec’ed with PC plug-ins, the Internet is a great way to deliver that information. As a result, Freightliner is offering maintenance and driver manuals for all its models online, and will offer repair manuals online later this year. Eventually, truck owners will be able to type in their VIN number and get all the information on their specific vehicle. The company is partnering with Microsoft to develop e-commerce with a sky’s-the-limit budget.

More Safety & Compliance

Winter pileup accidents.
Disaster Responseby Jack RobertsApril 30, 2026

Avoiding Winter Pileups: Don’t Become the Next Link in the Crash-Chain

Winter roadway “pileups” aren’t one crash — they’re a chain reaction. Here’s what triggers them, how truck drivers can spot the danger early, and what to do if you're suddenly trapped in the mess.

Read More →
Mobile tablet showing Motus screen against highway background with Motus logo

FMCSA’s Motus System Is Coming. What Fleets Need to Know Now

The long-awaited registration system promises a single portal — and tighter fraud controls.

Read More →
Graphic with light bulbs, HDT Truck Fleet Innovators logo, and the word Nominations
Fleet ManagementApril 24, 2026

Nominations Open for HDT Truck Fleet Innovators 2026

Heavy Duty Trucking is searching for forward-looking leaders at trucking fleets as nominations for HDT’s Truck Fleet Innovators 2026. Deadline is May 15.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Detroit ABA6 safety system.

Freightliner Expands Detroit Assurance with New Intersection and Turning Safety Tech

Detroit’s next-generation ABA6 safety system adds cross-traffic detection and enhanced side guard assist with left-turn protection, targeting high-risk urban scenarios.

Read More →
Illustration with ATRI logo and square blocks spelling out "research"
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeApril 20, 2026

'Beyond Compliance,' Regulations, Driver Coaching on ATRI’s 2026 Research List

The American Transportation Research Institute will examine driver coaching, regulatory impacts — including the "Beyond Compliance" concept —and weather disruptions that shape trucking operations.

Read More →
Illustration of colorful map of United States with DataQs website screen superimposed

FMCSA Revamps DataQs to Improve Fairness, Speed of Reviews

New requirements add firm deadlines and independent review steps, addressing long-standing complaints about inconsistent rulings and slow response times.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Illustration of driver medical exam paperwork over duotone background of a blood pressure check

FMCSA Extends Paper Medical Card Exemption … Again

Five states still aren't ready to accept commercial driver medical exam information directly from the medical examiner's registry.

Read More →
Collage of Top 20 Product award ceremonies
EquipmentMarch 31, 2026

HDT Honors the Best New Products of 2025 at TMC [Photos]

Heavy Duty Trucking's Top 20 Products awards recognize the best new products and technologies. Check out the award presentations at the 2026 Technology & Maintenance Council annual meeting.

Read More →
freightliner whitepaper
SponsoredMarch 31, 2026

Detroit Engines: Trusted Performance, Built for What's Next

The Detroit® Gen 6 engine platform proves that real progress doesn’t require a complete redesign. Built on 20 years of trusted technology, these engines are designed for efficiency, stronger performance, and greater reliability than before. And they do it all while complying with 2027 EPA standards on every mile.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Aperia HALO front steer axle.
Safety & Complianceby Jack RobertsMarch 18, 2026

Aperia Expands Halo Platform with Steer-Tire Inflation System, Fifth-Wheel Integration

Aperia Technologies introduced a new automatic tire inflation system for steer axles and a partnership with Fontaine Fifth Wheel to integrate coupling status into its Halo Connect platform.

Read More →