WET BUT HAPPY: Driver Michael Darras has 3.3 million safe miles under his buckle.
GREEN BAY WIS. -- Neither rain nor snow nor federal government shutdowns could stop Freightliner from delivering its 25,000th rig to Schneider National's headquarters this week.
"Today we are pleased to congratulate Schneider for their achievement welcoming their 25,000th truck," said Mark Lampert, senior vice president, Daimler Trucks North America. "Freightliner and Schneider have a long history of collaboration based on a commitment to delivering innovations that are built to last."
The relationship between the companies began when Schneider shifted gears in 1998, moving from cabovers to conventionals.
The one-of-a-kind Cascadia, is painted in the company's trademark orange color and has special decals celebrating the milestone.
According to a statement from Schneider, with the newly designed Detroit DD15 engine and the just-released Detroit DT-12 automated transmission, it achieves up to a seven-percent improvement in fuel economy over Freightliner's first generation EPA 2010 model.
The tractor is CARB-clean-idle certified and features a custom-designed commemorative decal and chrome accents.
Schneider tractor number 25,000 is equipped with the OnGuardT collision mitigation system, roll-stability control, full six-sensor (all wheel end) anti-lock braking system, Predictive Cruise Control, a standard horn pad control system to keep the drivers' hands on the steering wheel and an Espar non-idling in-cab heater.
Commented Len Copeland, national account executive, Freightliner Trucks: "This Freightliner was built with pride especially for Schneider, and I can tell you it's had the orange glove treatment all the way down the assembly line."
The new truck will be in the capable hands of longtime Schneider driver Michael Darras, who has driven 3.3 million safe miles for the company.
"The first thing I thought when I saw the truck was, 'Wow,'" said Darras. "You can tell it got extra special treatment in production! It has so much more chrome than the other trucks I've had. I can already tell that it drives great and is very quiet."
Darras' first load in the new truck took him from Green Bay to Mountain Home, Ark.
