Kenworth

Kenworth is a mark of trucks based with Kirkland, in the suburbs of Seattle, Washington, the United States. It is a Filiale group Paccar (Pacific Because and Foundry). Kenworth has factory with Renton, State of Washington, Chillicothe in the Ohio, Holy-Therese with the Quebec, Victoria in Australia and Mexicali with the Mexico. This last factory builds the trucks under of Kenmex.

In 1916, Louis and his brother Edgar Gerlinger founded their company, in Seattle, Washington. One year later, a first Camion was produced, named: Gersix, with a Driving with Gasoline of 6 cylinders.

In 1923 by Edgar Worthington and Harry Kent, two majority shareholders, take the control of the company and rename it Kenworth . the success of the new company rises partly from the closing of two firm competitors of Seattle, HRL Motor CO. and Vulcan Motor. The 3 first letters of the name Ken T and the 5 premères of Worth ington were used to compose the name of the mark.

In 1924, the first Kenworth models were with Capot from 1,5 to 4 tons of payload, with petrol engines of 4 cylinders Buda. Also 80 truck are sold this year there.

In 1925,5 models were available, heaviest being one 5 tons. Production of trucks: two per weeks.

In 1927, a new engine of 6 cylinders of 78 Horses.

In 1929, Kenworth opened a factory of assembly in Vancouver, to develop the sales with the Canada, also the firm adopted a policy of " on mesure" , each Véhicule could be built so as to meet the specific needs of the customer.

In 1933, the company became the first American manufacturer to install engines Diesel of series, of mark Cummins, also a Cabine berth was available in option.

In 1936, a first truck with advanced cabin was introduced.

During the Second world war, the firm was an important producer of military trucks, in particular with the Dépanneuse M-1 6x6. After the War, the use of the Aluminum in the Frame, cabin and engines allowed important reductions of weight. the firm developed trucks for the various uses as: Building site S, Mines, and forest industry.

In 1944, Kenworth became a subsidiary company of PACCAR. Then the production was increased with the acquisiton old factory of Fisher Body. The Plantations of Canne to sugar of Hawaii became important customers for the firm.

In 1951, the company introduces the 853, exploited in the oilfields in Saudi Arabia. The range of trucks includes 27 different models.

In 1954, new a Tractor with half-cabin CBE ( Cab Beside Engine ), was manufactured, this kind of cabin was supposed to bring a better angle of vision, but was hardly appreciated Camionneur S because of the lack of interior space.

In 1956, two icons of the history of the company were launched: W900 with cap and K100 with cabin over engine, this last is built in Australia. And an original tractor 8 wheels with engine under the floor was built for Pacific Intermountain Express.

In 1958, the firm produced the 953 and 984, for difficult work.

In 1959, exports accounted for 40% of its sales turnover. Arthur Sicard builds mine trucks Kenworth with its factory of Holy-Therese, Quebec, with the agreement of PACCAR.

In 1965, the factory of Kansas City became operational. And also 2037 trucks was sold.

In 1967, PACCAR acquired the factory of Holy-Therese, to manufacture the Kenworth marks and Peterbilt for the North America, of the trucks carrying and the tractors with cabin of day.

In 1969, the sales goes up to 6240 trucks.

In 1971, the series PD of urban trucks with advanced cabin appeared on the market. And later this series was famous: Hustler. And another large truck: 6x4 Rough, intended for the construction trade. Also 6600 trucks was built.

In 1972, the sales of trucks reach 10000.

In 1974, new factory was opened with Chillicothe, Ohio, and Bayswater, Australia, where were developed carrying trucks 4 Essieux.

In 1976, the firm inaugurated the tractor long course with roof raised with cabin top-of-the-range berth: for the trucks with cap and advanced cabin. Also to celebrate the bicentenary of American independence. the company proposes a limited series, called: SAW ( Important Very Trucker ). And since this date, the options LIVES remained with the catalog to satisfy most demanding.

In 1985, the trucks with the typical style American were renewed, and also a new truck very aerodynamic T600 which reduced the resistance of the air by approximately 40% and consumed 22% less diesel compared to W900. In 1986, it was T800, and two years later T400 appeared.

In 1996, T2000, a very aerodynamic truck was introduced.

The increase in international expansion saw recently versions of trucks Européens DAF under the Kenworth label. Also PACCAR, has Foden and Leyland.

Reference: the world Encyclopedia of the trucks , Manise, a Mark Of the Minerva Editions.

External bonds

Official site: http://www.kenworth.com/
Kenworth Europe: http://www.kenworth.fr/

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