Kenworth has marked a major Australian manufacturing milestone, delivering its 90,000th locally designed and built truck from PACCAR Australia’s Bayswater production facility in Melbourne.
The milestone vehicle, a Kenworth T909, was handed to Geelong-based McColls Transport during an all-employee celebration at the factory on 19 June.
Kenworth began local manufacturing in 1971 and reached its first major production milestone just three years later, when its 1,000th Australian-made truck, a K125CR, was delivered to Switzers Transport Services in 1974.
More than five decades on, the 90,000th truck highlights the scale and longevity of Kenworth’s Australian operation, which continues to build trucks for applications across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
PACCAR Australia Managing Director Damian Smethurst said the achievement reflected the contribution of employees, dealers, suppliers and customers over many decades.
“This marks a significant achievement for PACCAR in Australia, and reflects the longstanding dedication of its employees, dealers, suppliers and customers,” Smethurst said.
“The production of the 90,000th truck is a source of immense pride for PACCAR and represents a strong commitment to the Australian transport industry.”
The milestone T909 also adds to a long relationship between Kenworth and McColls Transport. The transport operator took delivery of its 200th Kenworth, a K200, in April 2016. With the latest T909, McColls has now taken delivery of nearly 400 Kenworth trucks.
Smethurst said the company’s Australian-built approach remained central to the brand’s position in the heavy-duty market.
“Each truck is purpose-built to suit its specific application and operating environment, with meticulous attention to detail that ensures the durability, performance, and reliability expected by our customers,” he said.
“This approach continues to differentiate the Kenworth brand in the Australian heavy-duty truck market.”
PACCAR also used the event to recognise its local supply network, including Australian partners that have supported the Bayswater manufacturing operation since production commenced in 1971.
The company said these suppliers continue to play an important role in producing trucks designed for demanding local operating conditions.
Kenworth’s previous production milestones include the 80,000th truck, a T610SAR delivered to Booth Transport in 2023, and the 70,000th truck, a T659 delivered to Brown and Hurley in 2021.
The 90,000th T909 now becomes the latest vehicle in a manufacturing story spanning 55 years of Australian truck production.
