Top Semi Truck Brands Revolutionizing the Road

Semi trucks are the backbone of the transportation industry, playing a crucial role in the movement of goods across vast distances. Several brands have earned a reputation for producing reliable, efficient, and powerful semi trucks that cater to the diverse needs of freight companies and independent haulers. Whether you're looking for state-of-the-art technology, fuel efficiency, or sheer mechanical prowess, the semi truck market has a variety of options to explore. Below, we take a closer look at some of the top-rated brands that consistently deliver excellence in the world of heavy-duty trucking.

Illustration of semi trucks

Best brands of semi trucks in 2025

Freightliner

Freightliner is a leading producer of semi-trucks, dominating the market with a significant share. In July 2024, Freightliner sold 7,562 trucks, accounting for 35.3% of all sales for the month, although this was a 0.6% decline from the previous year. The brand is known for its low real cost of ownership and innovative technology, making it a preferred choice among owner/operators. Freightliner controls 31% of total vocational truck sales and has met its goal of leading in this segment ahead of schedule. Its strong sales performance is driven by robust market demand and an improving supply chain for necessary components. For more insights into Freightliner's market leadership, visit their Reputation of Excellence blog.

Kenworth

Kenworth is a leading producer of semi-trucks, boasting a significant market share in the United States. With a history dating back to 1912, Kenworth has grown to achieve an annual revenue of $19.1 billion and holds around a 14% market share in the commercial trucking industry. In recent sales, Kenworth dominated with a 25% monthly market share in September 2024, selling 382 units and maintaining a year-to-date lead with 2,703 units sold. Known for its customizable trucks, Kenworth's T680 Next Generation model features innovative aerodynamic design and a range of powerful Paccar engines, offering up to 510 horsepower. Kenworth's commitment to driver comfort and fuel efficiency has solidified its position as one of the top choices for truckers. For more information on Kenworth's market performance, check out their latest achievements in the trucking industry.

Peterbilt

Peterbilt is one of the leading producers of semi-trucks, known for its superior quality, innovative designs, and robust performance. In 2024, Peterbilt and its sister brand Kenworth achieved a combined Class 8 market share of 31.1%, highlighting their dominance in the heavy-duty truck market. Peterbilt has gained 1.7% market share in the Class 8 space in 2024, outpacing other brands. The company's trucks, such as the Peterbilt 378 and 579, are renowned for their durability, fuel efficiency, and driver comfort. With a long history dating back to 1939, Peterbilt continues to be a preferred choice in the trucking industry. For more detailed information, you can visit the Peterbilt Truck Buying Guide.

Volvo Trucks

Volvo Trucks is a leading manufacturer of semi trucks, renowned for its high-quality, fuel-efficient, and sustainable vehicles. In 2022, the company marked a record year, delivering 145,195 trucks globally, reflecting a 19% increase from 2021, and expanded its market share in 41 countries, including an 18.2% market share in Europe and 10.8% in North America. Volvo Trucks is also at the forefront of transport electrification, beginning series production of heavy-duty electric trucks in 2022, with significant demand in key markets like the US, Germany, and Sweden. The company's commitment to sustainability shines through its use of recycled materials, with one-third of a new Volvo truck's weight composed of salvaged materials. Volvo Trucks aspires to achieve a 25% market share in the North American heavy-duty truck market by 2030.

Mack Trucks

Mack Trucks is a leading producer of semi-trucks, known for its quality and durability, having helped build and move America since 1900. In 2023, Mack Trucks increased its Class 8 sales to 18,130 units, a rise from 17,051 in the previous year, and its market share rose by 0.1% to 6.8%. The company's sales growth outpaced the overall heavy-duty market, with a 20% year-to-date increase in 2023. Mack's commitment to innovation, including electrification and zero emissions, continues to drive its success. With a strong focus on customer satisfaction and supplier partnerships, Mack remains a significant player in the trucking industry. For more information, visit the Mack Trucks website.

International Trucks

International Trucks is a leading producer of semi-trucks, known for their unparalleled performance, durability, and innovation. In 2023, International finished with 14% of the U.S. Class 8 market, marking a 1.4% increase from 2022, with sales of 37,200 trucks, a 16.5% increase over the previous year. Their trucks are engineered to handle a wide range of applications, from light-duty tasks to heavy-duty and severe-duty operations, making them essential for industries such as logistics, construction, and mining. International Trucks are part of the Traton Group, which has contributed to their significant growth and market share improvement. The brand's focus on customization and customer satisfaction further enhances its reputation in the market. For more details on International Trucks, visit their website.

Western Star

Western Star, a unit of Daimler Truck North America, has demonstrated significant growth in the Class 8 truck market, selling 8,334 trucks in 2023, which represents a 28% increase over 2022 sales and a 0.6% gain in market share. In 2024, Western Star continued to gain market share, increasing by 1.7% in the Class 8 segment. Notably, in September 2024, Western Star saw a 45.6% year-over-year increase in sales, selling 1,006 trucks compared to 691 in the same period the previous year. This growth is attributed to strong demand in the vocational truck segment. Western Star's performance highlights its position as a competitive producer in the semi-truck industry. For more detailed insights on market dynamics, read the full report on Class 8 truck market trends.

Scania

Scania is a leading global manufacturer of semi-trucks and heavy transport solutions, known for its robust and efficient vehicles. In 2023, Scania delivered nearly 92,000 trucks worldwide, with Europe accounting for around 62% of these deliveries. The company reported a significant increase in net sales, reaching approximately 205 billion Swedish kronor in 2023, up from 163 billion kronor in 2022. Scania's European market share for heavy trucks was 15.5% in the first quarter of 2023, and the company saw a 57% increase in net sales of trucks due to higher volumes and price increases. With over 130 years of innovation, Scania continues to drive the shift towards sustainable transport solutions.

MAN Truck & Bus

MAN Truck & Bus, a leading brand under the TRATON SE umbrella, has demonstrated significant recovery and growth in the semi-truck and bus market. In 2023, their bus business saw a 35% increase in sales revenue, reaching EUR1.621 billion, and a 19% rise in unit sales to 5,703 buses. Notably, MAN almost tripled its sales of electric city buses, selling 771 Lion's City E buses, which accounted for nearly 30% of their city bus sales in Europe. This resurgence is attributed to a comprehensive transformation and a strong focus on cost efficiency and sustainable profitability. The brand's success also includes more than doubling coach sales to over 1,100 vehicles in the same year. For more insights, visit their official press release.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks

Mercedes-Benz Trucks is a leading producer of semi-trucks, maintaining its market leadership in the medium- and heavy-duty segments with a market share of 20.4% in the EU30 region and 36.0% in Germany as of 2018. The brand achieved one of its best sales years in history in 2018, with unit sales exceeding 500,000 vehicles globally. In North America, Mercedes-Benz Trucks held a market share of 38.3% in weight classes 6-8, driven by the success of the Freightliner New Cascadia. The company continues to innovate, unveiling the eActros 600, a battery-electric long-haul truck, which is set to start series production by the end of 2024. Mercedes-Benz Trucks' commitment to technology, sustainability, and profitability has solidified its position as a top manufacturer in the semi-truck market. For more details on their achievements and future plans, consult the Daimler Truck IR Factbook FY 2023.