Daimler Truck Financial said 2014 marks a company milestone, 40 years in the U.S. trucking industry. Since its inception, Daimler Truck Financial has grown its portfolio to more than $8.7 billion with a customer base of more than 500 dealers and more than 24,000 customers.

The announcement and official celebration took place in Orlando, Florida at the opening ceremony of the company’s biannual “Truck and Bus Series” meeting with the Freightliner, Western Star and Thomas Built Bus dealers and Daimler Trucks North America executives.

“Our story is 40 years in the making and we did not come this far alone,” said Juergen Rochert, vice president and head of Daimler Truck Financial. “Our success is a credit to our partners – the dealers, customers and sales colleagues with whom we have worked side by side and grown the business together.”

Freightliner Financial opened its doors in 1974 with few employees and a handful of contracts. Since that time, the company has grown to more than 200 employees located across the country, with offices in Farmington Hills, MI, Fort Mill, SC and Fort Worth, TX.

The company noted the global economic climate has changed many times since it started doing business to support the sale of Freightliner Trucks. The business started against the backdrop of the world’s first oil shock in 1974. That led to the first energy crisis and gasoline shortages, culminating in the Emergency Highway Energy Conservation Act passed in 1974, limiting highway speeds to 55 miles per hour.

Through the years, Daimler Truck Financial has grown its financial portfolio as the company’s product offerings expanded. As a captive finance provider, the company has grown by aligning strategies with its dealers, customers and brand partners, while also continuously improving processes, based on the feedback garnered in the field. Today, the company offers financing and insurance products for the Freightliner, Western Star, Thomas Built and Sprinter brands. Daimler Trucks North America is a market leader for Class 6-8 trucks in the United States.

“Freightliner Trucks has customers who are purchasing Freightliner equipment, not only because of our innovative product lines, but because Daimler Truck Financial is their trusted partner that stood by them during difficult times and helped their business grow,” stated Brian Cota, Vice President of Sales for Freightliner Trucks.
Recognized as a valuable partner by the dealer network and fleet customers, Daimler Truck Financial is consistently a top-ranked financial services provider in third-party surveys. The company is known for executing on its value proposition by providing competitive financial solutions and top services to its dealers and customers.

“We share a common goal with Daimler Truck Financial – selling and financing the most innovative and reliable vehicles in the industry,” said Brad Fauvre, president and CEO of Velocity Vehicle Group and Chairman of the Freightliner Dealer Council. “Congratulations to the entire team for 40 successful years, and thank you for being our partner through the ups and downs that our industry has seen.”

“Our mission remains the same today as it did when we started 40 years ago – to support Daimler Trucks North America’s sales and dealer network, and to be the first-choice provider of financial products and services for dealers and customers across all segments,” Rochert said.

The company added that a key advantage is the employees who run the business every day. The commercial trucking industry is a business of relationships, of listening to and understanding what customers need from a financial services provider. Employees with tenures of more than 35 years and less than three months are equally engaged and passionate about the unique nuances that the trucking business offers them. While the employee base has grown over the years, the traditions and core understanding of the business are still critical to the company’s success.

Looking ahead, Daimler Truck Financial said it continues to streamline its processes and is investing in new digital technologies, including mobile services, in order to meet the changing needs of how customers and dealers do business in the 21st century.