OOIDA’s Spirit of the American Trucker Hits the Road for Western Star and OOIDA

Contact:  david.giroux@daimler.com

PORTLAND, Ore. – June 4, 2014 – After unveiling the first-ever truck to be built from the ground up through fan votes on social media channels, the Western Star “Design Our Star” show truck is now on the road, pulling the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association “Spirit of the American Trucker” tour trailer to truck shows, conferences and truck stops throughout the United States.

Western Star 4900EX is a new classic rig helmed by Boise, Idaho-based Jon Osburn, a driver with more than 20 years of experience. Osburn, who was a U.S. Navy Hospital corpsman and served with the United States Marine Corps as a flight medic and later a paramedic, also spent two years behind the wheel of “The Merv” – a medical educational and resource vehicle that provides medical screens for truck drivers.
  
“The entire package is absolutely stunning – the truck attracts a lot of attention everywhere we go,” said Osburn. “But the truck is more than just great looks – the Western Star is fantastic to drive, and the Detroit™ DD16® engine has already been achieving impressive performance. It’s an honor to be behind the wheel of such a fantastic truck.”

With more than 16,000 votes during the year-long campaign, fans selected the truck model, application, engine, interior and exterior options. The truck includes a “big and bold” chrome accessory package, a custom paint job, and a plush Ultra High Stratosphere Sleeper decked out in premium leather.

“The Design Our Star truck really captures what our fans love about Western Star – the bold and custom features combined with a powerful truck,” said Andy Johnson, brand manager for Western Star. “We’re so pleased to partner with Jon and OOIDA to bring the Spirit of the American Trucker tour trailer on the road to promote the business of trucking.”

For a complete schedule of appearances, go to www.OOIDA.com or www.Facebook.com/OOIDA.

For additional information, and to find a local dealer, visit WesternStar.com or call 866-850-STAR (7827).

Western Star Trucks Sales, Inc., headquartered in Fort Mill, S.C., produces heavy-duty custom trucks for long-haul and vocational applications. Western Star is a subsidiary of Daimler Truck North America LLC. Daimler Truck North America produces and markets Class 4-8 vehicles and is a Daimler company, the world's leading commercial vehicle manufacturer.