Peterbilt is an American commercial truck manufacturer whose equipment serves highway freight, regional delivery, construction, refuse collection, and specialized vocational operations. Its product families include aerodynamic highway tractors, traditional conventional trucks, medium-duty vehicles, and vocational chassis.
Peterbilt Motors Company is part of PACCAR. This page brings together the brand’s history, equipment categories, company information, and links to Peterbilt product profiles published on Truck Equipment Atlas.
History and Background
Peterbilt was founded in California in 1939 by T.A. Peterman. The company developed into a manufacturer of commercial trucks serving freight transportation and specialized working applications.
PACCAR acquired Peterbilt in 1958. Peterbilt has since operated within the group while maintaining its own truck designs, brand identity, and product families.
Over its history, Peterbilt has developed trucks for a broad range of commercial applications. Its conventional highway trucks became a recognizable part of the brand, while medium-duty and vocational equipment expanded its coverage beyond long-distance freight.
Today, the company combines its established truck-building heritage with aerodynamic vehicle design, connected services, driver-assistance technology, and alternative powertrains.
What Peterbilt Manufactures
Peterbilt manufactures commercial trucks and chassis configured for freight transportation, delivery, and vocational work. Its lineup includes vehicles powered by diesel, natural gas, and electricity.
- Highway tractors: Day cab and sleeper trucks for regional and long-distance freight transportation.
- Traditional conventional trucks: Platforms combining long-hood styling with heavy-duty hauling configurations.
- Medium-duty trucks: Vehicles for distribution, delivery, service equipment, and commercial bodies.
- Vocational trucks: Chassis configured for construction equipment, working bodies, and specialized hauling.
- Low-cab-forward trucks: Platforms suited to refuse collection and other specialized vocational applications.
- Alternative-power vehicles: Selected configurations incorporating natural gas or battery-electric powertrains.
Peterbilt Products on Truck Equipment Atlas
Explore the Peterbilt product profiles below for equipment characteristics, applications, configurations, and operating considerations. Models are grouped by their general role, although some serve several types of operation. Additional profiles will be linked here as they are published.
The equipment library covers different model generations and production periods. Inclusion does not indicate that a model remains available for new orders.
Highway and Conventional Trucks
- Peterbilt 389 — Explore a traditional long-hood conventional truck associated with highway freight and specialized hauling.
- Peterbilt 389X — Explore a special-edition version of the 389 with distinctive styling and trim.
- Peterbilt 579 — Explore an aerodynamic highway tractor platform used in regional and long-haul freight operations.
Medium-Duty and Delivery Trucks
- Peterbilt 535 — Explore a medium-duty conventional truck platform for delivery and commercial body applications.
- Peterbilt 536 — Explore a medium-duty platform covered for distribution, service, and working-body configurations.
Vocational and Specialized Trucks
- Peterbilt 567 — Explore a vocational truck platform covered for construction, specialized bodies, and heavy-duty working applications.
- Peterbilt 520 — Explore a low-cab-forward vocational truck associated with refuse collection and specialized body installations.
Technology and Product Development
Peterbilt’s development work includes aerodynamic truck design, integrated powertrains, connected vehicle services, and driver-assistance systems. These technologies address different requirements across highway transportation, delivery, and vocational work.
SmartLINQ connected services provide truck-health monitoring and notifications to designated support teams. Peterbilt also offers driver-assistance technologies and alternative-power configurations across selected products.
Powertrain, safety, and connectivity features vary by model year and configuration. Readers should consult the individual equipment profiles and manufacturer documentation rather than assume that a feature applies to every Peterbilt truck.
Company and Location Information
- Brand: Peterbilt.
- Company: Peterbilt Motors Company.
- Established: 1939.
- Founder: T.A. Peterman.
- Country of origin: United States.
- Corporate office: Denton, Texas.
- Parent company: PACCAR.
- Official website: Peterbilt Motors Company.
Peterbilt identifies Denton, Texas; Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec; and Mexicali, Mexico, as locations contributing to its truck manufacturing operations. These locations serve different production requirements within the company’s commercial vehicle business.
Related Brands and Equipment
Peterbilt operates within PACCAR’s commercial vehicle business alongside other truck brands, including Kenworth. PACCAR-branded powertrain components retain their own product identities when installed in Peterbilt vehicles.
The following engine profiles provide related equipment background. Availability depends on the truck model, production year, and original configuration.
Related Equipment Guides
Explore the existing Truck Equipment Atlas guide sections for additional information about commercial trucks, engines, and equipment selection.