Peterbilt opts out of MATS 2016; no major NA truck makers to exhibit at annual Louisville show

[kscarbel2]

Commercial Carrier Journal (CCJ) / October 19, 2015

And then there were none.

Peterbilt on Monday announced its plans to join every other major North American truck OEM in sitting out the 2016 Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) in Louisville, Ky.

“After carefully considering our marketing strategies for next year and beyond, Peterbilt has decided to exhibit at the Mid-America Trucking Show on a bi-annual schedule,” Peterbilt Public Relations Manager Derek Smith says. “We wish MATS success in 2016 and we look forward to participating in the 2017 show.”

Pete’s sister company Kenworth made its plans to skip MATS next year known this weekend at the American Trucking Association’s Management Conference & Exhibition in Philadelphia.

Daimler Trucks North America, the first to pull out of the show, cited its preference to see the annual MATS show adjust its cycle to odd-numbered years, a move that would relieve conflict for global truck OEs also attending the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hannover, which is held on even numbered years.

A sentiment, Smith says, Peterbilt’s parent company echoed.

“Peterbilt is a Paccar company, a global leader in the manufacturer and support of commercial vehicles, and the bi-annual MATS show strategy will be complemented by Paccar’s participation at IAA, held every other year in Hannover, Germany,” he adds.

Navistar, Mack Trucks and Volvo Trucks North America have each also previously announced they would skip MATS in 2016.

[Charlie Hatfield]

This means that there will be no Class 8 truck manufacturer's represented at the show. Last year there were over 80,000 attendees at the three day show. I wonder how much this will affect the amount of people coming to the show

[Mackdaddy2030]

WOW!!!! I can't believe that!!!