Peterbilt Motors Company celebrated its 70th anniversary in the truck manufacturing business, with a special event at its Denton, Texas, facility last week.

"Since our first truck was produced in 1939, Peterbilt has become one of the most widely recognized and respected brands in the world - a universal symbol of pride, quality and Class," said Bill Jackson, Peterbilt general manager and vice president of Paccar. "This significant milestone could not be accomplished without the support of Peterbilt's dedicated employees, a superior dealer network, committed suppliers, as well as our valued customers and the community we serve."

The company has gone from producing 14 trucks in its first year to turning out nearly 700,000 commercial vehicles over the past 70 years. Since Coast Counties Truck and Equipment began selling Peterbilt trucks in 1949, the company has grown its dealer network to now include 247 North America locations.

"From the first logging trucks of the 30s and revolutionary cabover vehicles in the 40', to the birth of an industry icon - the Model 359 in the 60s, Peterbilts have set the pace," said Larry Reding, Peterbilt assistant general manager of sales and marketing. "In the 70s and 80s, the workhorses that built America were Peterbilt Models 348, 362 and legendary Model 379. Ushering in a new level of innovation in the 90's with the Model 387, Peterbilt now produces the most aerodynamic, fuel efficient vehicles available today, like our SmartWay Models 387, 386 and 384."

"For seven decades our engineers have dedicated themselves to developing products that improve customer productivity, maximize payloads, and increase aerodynamic performance," said Landon Sproull, Peterbilt chief engineer.

More info: www.peterbilt.com