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KW final notice to dealers- no more w900L w900B, t800W or c500

crane operator

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2009
Messages
9,348
Location
sw missouri
So if KW is going to quit building these models, what are they going to build the heavy haul equipment out of?

Also , they state "emissions requirements" as a reason, what would emissions have to do with them stopping building these? I can see them not wanting to build endless different number of cabs, and only build the new models, but why say its because of emissions?

kenworth dicontinues.jpg
 

cuttin edge

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2014
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3,208
Location
NB Canada
Occupation
Finish grader operator
That's just the tip of the iceberg. If the higher ups think all the major manufacturers can just stop importing materials from other countries, and do business as usual, and still produce affordable products. Re tooling, training new people, building new manufacturing facilities. Not going to happen overnight. The reason so many things are outsourced is because it's cheaper. I call BS on emissions since most of those agencies are being gutted. Bout time. It's gonna be rough for a while on everyone that's not rich.
 

Birken Vogt

Charter Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2003
Messages
5,678
Location
Grass Valley, Ca
I call BS on emissions since most of those agencies are being gutted.
Perhaps, but they surely already had this in the works for several years and did not foresee this eventuality. They probably have the factory floor space already allocated for something else, it's a big ship to turn around if they even think it might be worthwhile.

May be a golden opportunity for Edison Motors to fill a void.
 

Truck Shop

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2015
Messages
21,280
Location
WWW.
I held off commenting--but Construction/Vocational as far as a C500 goes is puny.
The total percentages for each model produced Kenworth doesn't share that info.
The W Series has been on the chopping block for a long time. The {B} cab has been
in production 43 years, since 1982 the longest production run of a certain main
component. Because of all the wonderful electronic crapola--everyone wants especially
creature comfort goodies--the cab became toooo small to continue incorporating
more computerized electronic gadgetry, simply running out of space {fact}. Not to
mention the majority of owners & drivers want more cab room. Drivers are not
getting smaller just bigger around.
*
And yes carbon credits--Freightliner will not build anymore Cascadia models without
the side fairings covering fuel tanks. So my old company will {95% sure} buy the
Western Star model instead to keep with the DD15 & DT12 AMT.
*
And Cummins has on a secret vine of info {issues} just what pinpointed area is not
sure or commonly known. So Pac Car wants to trim down the low order trucks and
push the value of their own line of power plants, they make more money that way.
Years ago I'm pretty sure a D9/10 were moved with 425 hp 1693's and 500 Hp Macks.
Same can be done in todays world-for the fact we are going back in time.
*
The 990 will be the main driver offered with lots of custom order options. I've seen
several day cab 4 axle running around hauling rocks. The T880 is also going to be
the main vocational option. The days of truck shopping {like early mornings at Geno's
Doughnuts, shall I have glazed or a custard filled chocolate is nearing the end}.
*
When Volvo bought out Mack it cut models down to a basic three-with several options.
*
The thing I can hardly wait for is Peterbilt---dropping the big square/long hood and
tiny cab---that day is coming, and not too far off from what I've heard.
*
The amount of percentage of Vocational To OTR sales---25 to 30 OTR's to 1 vocational.
 
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IceHole

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 14, 2023
Messages
1,169
Location
AK
I run a T880. Not a fan.

It's had electric issues since nearly new.

Lately the dash gauges won't light up at random and the windows won't go up or down.

Real fun driving at -45* with a window open from when it was parked inside.

I can't think of much that's not at least 20 years old that I'd pick.
 

1466IH

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2014
Messages
773
Location
prairie du rocher, il
Better buy up all the T800's and W900's you can right now. As soon as this becomes more common knowledge I'm sure the prices of those trucks will skyrocket. Just like all of the pre2000 trucks did with the ELD mandates. I am kind of curious though why the C500 is getting the axe. I can't imagine they produce that many of them but I would guess a large majority of them are mostly off highway oilfield or log trucks anyway so they wouldn't have to meet the same emissions requirements. I have never in my life ever actually seen a C500. Do people actually use them on highway in other states and around here is just too restricted? I understand the fact that they wouldn't want to keep a plant open just for that truck but surely everything is already paid for and I am sure they could price them accordingly to accommodate those that truly need a truck like that.
 

IceHole

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 14, 2023
Messages
1,169
Location
AK
Better buy up all the T800's and W900's you can right now. As soon as this becomes more common knowledge I'm sure the prices of those trucks will skyrocket. Just like all of the pre2000 trucks did with the ELD mandates. I am kind of curious though why the C500 is getting the axe. I can't imagine they produce that many of them but I would guess a large majority of them are mostly off highway oilfield or log trucks anyway so they wouldn't have to meet the same emissions requirements. I have never in my life ever actually seen a C500. Do people actually use them on highway in other states and around here is just too restricted? I understand the fact that they wouldn't want to keep a plant open just for that truck but surely everything is already paid for and I am sure they could price them accordingly to accommodate those that truly need a truck like that.
I can't drive 5 miles without seeing at least a few. A few I've been around are big. Tires that are should height, big planetary drives.

One, a push truck, was crushing the tires pretty good. It had near 100k lbs of huge steel plates for weight on the back.
 
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1466IH

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2014
Messages
773
Location
prairie du rocher, il
I see you are in AK though where everything is off highway and the ones you are seing are probably owned by or working for oil fields or loggers correct. There aren't guys up there running around pulling 53' dry vans delivering groceries are there?
 

Truck Shop

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Joined
Dec 7, 2015
Messages
21,280
Location
WWW.
Panic now---a year from now no one will think about it. There's other trucks to buy.
All have electrical issues--all seven of the last T990 W900L bought had problems.
dashes going black, very common.
 

92U 3406

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Jan 3, 2017
Messages
3,792
Location
Western Canuckistan
Occupation
Wrench Bender
Better buy up all the T800's and W900's you can right now. As soon as this becomes more common knowledge I'm sure the prices of those trucks will skyrocket. Just like all of the pre2000 trucks did with the ELD mandates. I am kind of curious though why the C500 is getting the axe. I can't imagine they produce that many of them but I would guess a large majority of them are mostly off highway oilfield or log trucks anyway so they wouldn't have to meet the same emissions requirements. I have never in my life ever actually seen a C500. Do people actually use them on highway in other states and around here is just too restricted? I understand the fact that they wouldn't want to keep a plant open just for that truck but surely everything is already paid for and I am sure they could price them accordingly to accommodate those that truly need a truck like that.
They're everywhere around here but I'm right in the middle of oil country too. I just can't picture a T880 or W990 filling that void.
 

Acoals

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Joined
Dec 15, 2019
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1,690
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Wisconsin
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Jack of all trades/Master of none
The thing I can hardly wait for is Peterbilt---dropping the big square/long hood and
tiny cab---that day is coming, and not too far off from what I've heard.

They haven't already done that? The newest trucks I have seen have the big cab with a giant one piece windshield. It looks kind of dorky with the long square hood.
 

cfherrman

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2022
Messages
2,421
Location
Hays, Kansas
I highly doubt the electrical problems is fault of the cab, probably the fault of who made the electrical components, and likely the other paccars will have the problem.

I'm sad to see the c500 go.
 

CM1995

Administrator
Joined
Jan 21, 2007
Messages
14,759
Location
Alabama
Occupation
Running what I brung and taking what I win
Not to
mention the majority of owners & drivers want more cab room. Drivers are not
getting smaller just bigger around.
*

Back in 2007 partner and I was looking for a single axle truck to put a hook lift on. Went to the KW dealership to demo a single axle. The cab was extremely small and cramped which surprised me. I'm not fat, just tall.

Ended up buying a Hino instead from the same dealer. Turned out to be a great truck.
 
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