Kenworth's Legendary W900 Semi-Truck Will Cease Production After 63 Years

      If you're of driving age in the United States, chances are you've encountered countless Kenworth W900 trucks on the road. A journey along the country's interstate system will reveal many of these trucks cruising with tall exhaust stacks and trailers in tow. Remarkably, the W900 has been in existence since 1963, but this week Kenworth announced that it will be phasing out this iconic semi-truck next year. This might be the right moment to reminisce its legacy.

      As you might expect, the reason for Kenworth retiring the W900 is the changing emissions regulations and component limitations. The manufacturer is also discontinuing the T800W and C500 for similar reasons. It's unfortunate to witness this, although it's interesting to note that electrification is not mentioned in the announcement.

      Kenworth recognizes the significance of the moment, as the brand’s assistant general manager for sales and marketing, Kevin Haygood, remarked on the W900’s impact on American culture:

      “The W900 is truly historic in that it has helped shape North American trucking culture and tradition as we know it today. Frequently seen at truck shows, showcased in movies and on television, and presented at various events, it is an iconic truck that is appreciated for its classic design by our customers and trucking enthusiasts. While production of these trucks is coming to an end, we look forward to seeing them on our roads and at truck shows for many more years.”

      Possibly the most famous W900 in history is the black and gold truck from Smokey and the Bandit. While many car enthusiasts coveted Burt Reynolds’ Trans-Am, I have always found Jerry Reed’s Kenworth more appealing. I know I’m not alone in this, as numerous replicas have been created over the years for passionate truckers to enjoy.

      Considering that the W900 first appeared on American roads 62 years ago, it has undergone significant evolution from its initial design. Once powered by smoky CAT and Detroit Diesel engines, newer models are generally equipped with the Cummins X15. In fact, the W900 might be the only remaining semi-truck that initially offered a twin-stick manual transmission directly from the factory. Quite a testament to its durability.

      Over the last sixty years, Kenworth has produced so many W900s that they will remain a common sight for quite some time, as Haygood pointed out. While the exact production numbers are unknown, Kenworth celebrated its millionth truck built in 2014, and it’s safe to say a significant portion of that has been W900s. Other models have come and gone, but the W900 has endured due to its versatility across various applications, from long-haul and heavy-haul to logging operations and beyond.

      Order books for the W900 will stay open in the coming months, as Kenworth indicates that a final decision will be made in late 2025.

      Got a tip or question for the author? You can reach out directly at: [email protected]