PORTLAND, Ore. (Aug. 4, 2026) — Freightliner, a brand of Daimler Truck North America LLC (DTNA), today announced the provision of a Fifth Generation Freightliner Cascadia for the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA). The Cascadia serves as the truck used by veteran driver and OOIDA brand ambassador Marty Ellis to haul OOIDA’s Spirit of the American Trucker educational trailer as it travels to truck stops and industry events across the United States, engaging directly with professional drivers and highlighting OOIDA’s driver advocacy efforts. The truck is equipped with advanced safety and driver-assistance technologies and an integrated Detroit powertrain designed to support confidence, efficiency and productivity on the road.

“Owner-operators play an important role in keeping freight moving across North America,” said Greg Treinen, vice president of on-highway market development. “Supporting OOIDA's Spirit of the American Trucker tour reflects our longstanding commitment to the trucking community and provides an opportunity to showcase technologies that can help drivers operate safely, efficiently and productively.”

Drivers aren't looking for someone to speak for them—they want someone willing to listen,” said Todd Spencer, OOIDA President. “The Spirit gives us the opportunity to meet drivers where they are, hear what's happening on the road, and make sure their voices help shape our fight in Washington. That's what OOIDA has always been about and our longstanding partnership with Freightliner allows us to continue to our work while giving drivers exposure to modern equipment and technology that can benefit their operation.

The Spirit of the American Trucker tour is OOIDA’s nationwide outreach program and a rolling symbol of its commitment to professional drivers, traveling to truck stops, trade shows, and industry events to educate drivers on the benefits of membership and OOIDA’s work on behalf of truckers since its founding in 1973. DTNA has helped move OOIDA’s Spirit tour since 2013, providing a new vehicle every few years to support the program’s operations, with the Fifth Generation Cascadia marking the latest addition. 

At stops, Ellis opens the cab to visitors, allowing fellow drivers to explore the latest Cascadia features firsthand. Customizable for a variety of on-highway operations, the Cascadia remains North America’s most popular Class 8 trucks for its focus on safety, efficiency and profitability. 

The truck showcases several technologies designed to support safety and driver confidence, including the Detroit Assurance suite of safety systems with Active Brake Assist 6 (ABA6), Active Lane Assist 2 (ALA2) and Active Side Guard Assist. Using integrated radar and camera technologies, these systems help drivers detect potential hazards and improve awareness around the vehicle. ABA6 can provide visual and audible alerts and, in certain situations, automatically apply braking to help mitigate collisions with vehicles and pedestrians. The MirrorCam System further expands visibility around the vehicle, helping drivers maintain a clearer view of surrounding traffic and reducing blind spots during lane changes, turns and other common driving maneuvers.

The integrated Detroit powertrain features Intelligent Powertrain Management and Speed and Curve Assist technologies designed to help keep drivers in cruise control longer by automatically adjusting vehicle speed based on road and terrain conditions. Complementing those capabilities are the Fifth Generation Cascadia's intelligent braking and air systems, which are designed to provide a more comfortable driving and braking experience, as well as Rollaway Mitigation, which can automatically apply the park brake under certain conditions to help prevent unintended vehicle movement. 

Together, these features give OOIDA and its members exposure to advanced safety and driver-assistance technologies, helping them better understand how modern equipment can enhance driver comfort, efficiency and the uptime that is critical to running a successful business.

Learn more about the Fifth Generation Freightliner Cascadia at www.freightliner.com 

About Freightliner

Freightliner Trucks is a brand of Daimler Truck North America LLC, headquartered in Portland, Oregon. With 80 years of experience, Freightliner produces and markets medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks as the leading heavy-duty truck brand in North America. DTNA is a subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG, one of the world’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers.

About Daimler Truck North America

Daimler Truck North America LLC (DTNA), headquartered in Portland, Oregon, is the largest manufacturer of heavy-duty trucks in North America and a leading provider of innovative products, services, and technologies for the commercial transportation industry. DTNA designs, engineers, manufactures, and markets medium- and heavy-duty trucks, school buses, vehicle chassis and related technologies and components under the Freightliner, Western Star, Thomas Built Buses, Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp and Detroit brands. As a subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG, one of the world’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, DTNA is dedicated to delivering exceptional value and support to its customers - helping them keep the world moving.

About OOIDA

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) is the largest trade association representing the interests of professional drivers. Since 1973, OOIDA has fought to protect the rights, livelihoods, and future of America's truckers through advocacy, education, business resources, and trusted member services. Representing members across the United States and Canada, OOIDA is committed to advancing a fair, safe, and prosperous trucking industry—because when truckers succeed, America keeps moving.