Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) announces the Fifth Generation Freightliner Cascadia has been recognized as a 2025 Red Dot Design Award winner.
This globally respected award identifies industry leaders currently excelling in product design, DTNA states, an acknowledgement reserved for products that are aesthetically appealing, functional, sustainable and innovative, all united by exceptional design.
From the earliest sketches, the Fifth Generation Cascadia’s design journey was shaped by the close collaboration between DTNA’s designers and engineers. Working in tandem, they blended functionality, aerodynamics and visual appeal into the next evolution of the Cascadia. Drawing inspiration from the natural movement of wind and air, the team introduced a fresh approach to aerodynamic design.
“To create a design that truly looks shaped by the wind, we drew inspiration from the Pacific Northwest mountains. During heavy snowstorms, the wind forms sharp, sculptural snowdrifts that reveal how it naturally moves. We aimed to bring that same wind-shaped form language into the Cascadia to express ultimate efficiency,” says Jeff Cotner, chief designer at DTNA. “The result is exceptional performance and a clean, simple form that resonates with the viewer.”
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Based in Portland, DTNA’s Design Center Studio is where engineering and design meet. Powered by a team of highly experienced designers, surface modelers, fabricators, and studio engineers, this is where ideas are transformed into tangible, cutting-edge products that comprise DTNA’s commercial vehicle portfolio, the company says.
This close collaboration is evident in features like the Cascadia’s redesigned hood, A-pillar deflectors and wheel-well closeouts — each shaped through iterative design and engineering work. It also shows up in details like the new Dual Stage Intelligent LED Headlights, which were engineered and designed to increase durability, melt away ice and eliminate condensation while delivering a wider beam pattern to enhance driver visibility.
“Innovation has always been in Freightliner’s DNA,” says Martin Kreidl, design director at DTNA. “Winning the Red Dot Design Award underscores our continued commitment to elevating the brand. While we were tasked with finding new ways to express Freightliner’s identity, we were also building on generations of design excellence as our foundation and creating a cohesive product that strengthened our identity.”
The Cascadia’s Red Dot Design Award win validates more than a single milestone but a longstanding mission that has defined Freightliner for generations, the company says.
As DTNA and Freightliner continue to elevate technology and design, at the core of these efforts is a commitment to making transport efficiency, safety, and profitability a number one priority. Whether it’s enhanced aerodynamics, inspiring design or powertrain integration technologies, this mission shows clear in all Freightliner vehicles, including the award-winning Cascadia, the company adds.
