Goldstar delivers Freightliner Cascadia verdict

Goldstar Transport, which employs 185 people, and currently has 29 Freightliner models it its 100 plus-truck fleet, has recently been trialing a new Freightliner Cascadia 116 day cab.

And according to Managing Director Sean Carren, the Cascadia is at the top of the class when it comes to fuel economy.

Goldstar handles applications as diverse as local distribution to heavy outback roadtrain work. However, the Cascadia has been running as a B-double on a set route in Perth and Mr Carren found the 13-litre Freightliner clearly out-performed other trucks in the fleet.

Mr Carren says of the demonstrator: “We have had four trucks working on that run and I can confirm that the Cascadia was clearly the most fuel efficient truck.”

“The numbers are clear, it is at the top of the class,” he added.

Related reading:
2020 Freightliner Cascadia: Pre-launch Review
Testing times for Freightliner Cascadia
Freightliner reveals its electric reality

Mr Carren says the Cascadia truck matched his high expectations during the test: “I was very impressed and our drivers were as well,” Mr Carren said.

“It represents a quantum leap for Freightliner and for conventional trucks.”

Mr Carren has a particular focus on safety and said that the Cascadia’s integrated Detroit Assurance safety pack is a big attraction.

“We take safety very seriously at Goldstar and the Cascadia sets a new standard for conventional trucks,” he said.

“You can’t underestimate the importance of the safety features such as the Autonomous Emergency Braking,” Mr Carren added.

Mr Carren said he and his drivers were also impressed by the Cascadia’s optional bonnet-mounted mirrors, which are very popular in the United States where the Cascadia is the best-selling heavy truck.

“The additional mirrors are a great feature. They give our drivers clear vision all the way down the side of the trailers,” he says.

The Cascadia is now for sale through Freightliner dealers and the first customer units are about to hit local roads after an extensive test and evaluation program, the largest such program ever conducted outside of North America.

It is available with advanced 13-litre and 16-litre Detroit six-cylinder DD engines and DT12 automated transmissions or the optional 18-speed Eaton manual gearbox.