Peterbilt
Subsidiary of PACCAR Inc.
Manufacturer at a glance
Peterbilt is a USA-headquartered manufacturer of Class 5-8 commercial trucks, a subsidiary of PACCAR Inc.. The company was founded in 1939 and is headquartered in Denton, Texas, USA. We currently cover 12 Peterbilt truck models: 220 (cabover), 337, 348, 365, 367, 379, 387, 389, 520 (refuse cabover), 567, 579, 579 Next Gen / Model 589. There are 142 NHTSA recalls on record for Peterbilt trucks. Owners have filed 73 complaints with NHTSA.
About Peterbilt
Peterbilt is one of the most iconic American truck manufacturers, founded in 1939 and headquartered in Denton, Texas. The brand is known for premium fit-and-finish, distinctive styling, and strong resale value. Peterbilt is a subsidiary of PACCAR Inc., the same parent company that owns Kenworth — the two brands share many engineering platforms but maintain distinct identities and dealer networks. Peterbilt's flagship is the Model 579 (highway tractor with aerodynamic cab) and the legacy Model 389 (traditional long-hood styling, beloved by owner-operators). Peterbilt also produces medium-duty trucks like the 337 and 348. Most modern Peterbilts use the proprietary PACCAR MX-13 engine, with Cummins X15 available as an alternative.
Company history
Peterbilt was founded in 1939 by T.A. Peterman in Tacoma, Washington, originally as a logging-truck specialist. The company moved to Oakland, California after WWII and was acquired by PACCAR (then Pacific Car & Foundry) in 1958. Peterbilt's manufacturing was consolidated to Denton, Texas in 1980. The brand introduced the Model 379 in 1986, which became the iconic owner-operator long-hood for two decades. The Model 389 replaced the 379 in 2007 with refined styling. The Model 579 was introduced in 2012 as Peterbilt's modern aerodynamic flagship, and underwent a significant update in 2022 (Model 579 EPIQ). Peterbilt has won numerous design awards and consistently scores highest in J.D. Power resale and fleet satisfaction surveys.
Market position and reputation
Peterbilt holds approximately 14-16% US Class 8 market share, ranking #3 behind Freightliner and Kenworth (sister brand). The brand commands a premium price (5-10% higher than Freightliner for comparable specs) and retains better resale value — a 5-year-old Peterbilt typically sells for 8-12% more than a comparably-spec'd Freightliner of the same age. Peterbilt is particularly popular with owner-operators (the Model 389 is the unofficial owner-operator favorite) and mid-size fleets. Geographic strength is strong throughout the Southwest, Texas, and the Pacific Northwest.
Engine partners and powertrain
Peterbilt trucks are powered by:
- → PACCAR MX-11
- → MX-13
- → Cummins X15
- → ISX
Model lineup
12 Peterbilt models in our database, grouped by truck type. Tap a model to see specs, recalls, and owner complaints.