Remembering Larry Orr -- "Father of Truck Aerodynamics"

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:    
Jeff Parietti, (425) 828-5196  jparietti@paccar.com
        
Remembering Kenworth's Larry Orr: The Trucking Industry's "Father of
Aerodynamics"

KIRKLAND, Wash., June 5, 2001 - Larry Orr, a trucking industry visionary and
innovator, passed away on May 31 after a long courageous battle with cancer.
He was 60.  Larry is survived by his wife Carol and their children Bill,
Cathy and Mary. 

Orr had a distinguished 36-year career with Kenworth Truck Company and
PACCAR. His love for engineering - for the creative process of designing new
vehicles - never diminished. He continued to work throughout his illness as
Kenworth technology planning manager.  Prior to that, he served in other key
positions, including Kenworth's chief engineer, advanced concepts manager,
engineering manager for new products, and PACCAR corporate director of
research and development. His working career actually began in the air, not
on the ground, however, as an air crewman - radar operator for the U.S.
Navy.

A legend in the trucking community for his creativity and innovation, Orr
was best known for his leadership role in the development of the first truly
aerodynamic Class 8 truck, the Kenworth T600A, introduced in 1985. Orr and
his engineering and design team were awarded the U.S. Department of
Transportation's National Award for the Advancement of Motor Vehicle
Research and Development in 1995 in recognition of their achievement.

"Larry Orr was one of the most significant innovators in the trucking
industry," said Ed Caudill, Kenworth general manager and PACCAR vice
president. "He revolutionized the industry by incorporating the use of
aerodynamics into truck design and was the visionary behind the T600A.
Larry made lasting contributions to Kenworth and PACCAR during his career.
He will be greatly missed."

Orr earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from
Oregon State University in 1964 and was a long-time member of the Society of
Automotive Engineers (SAE). He received seven patents, including several for
the T600A truck cab and an aerodynamic retarder. A popular writer and
speaker, Orr also published numerous articles and technical papers on
various trucking industry topics and often spoke at meetings and
conferences.

Funeral services for Larry Orr will be held on Thursday, June 7, at 11 a.m.
at St. Madeleine Sophie Catholic Church in Bellevue, Wash. Donations may be
made to Sacred Heart Radio, Catholic Community Services, the American Cancer
Society, or charity of your choice.

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SIDEBAR: Remembering Orr and his Crowning Achievement: The T600A

Larry Orr will best be remembered by the trucking industry for his work on
the Kenworth T600A which was introduced in 1985.  In a 1995 interview, Larry
recalled: 

"We were given a budget to see what we could come up with," Orr said. "When
we had a prototype built in '85, we rolled it out in the sunshine, and I
thought it looked great. Then we drove it over to (Kenworth) headquarters
and parked it out front. Everybody in the building came out to take a look.
Half said it was the most unusual truck they ever saw; some just shook their
heads.

"But fortunately, Kenworth's general manager at the time wanted to give it a
try. He thought we'd sell four a day because it did have good advantages
over what was currently on the market. We knew we had a winner from a fuel
economy standpoint, as well as improvements in maneuverability, visibility
and ride. The next step was convincing dealers and customers.

"By nature," Orr said, "the truck industry is conservative. So when the
radical design of the T600A was introduced to Kenworth's dealers, many were
less than enthusiastic. Some liked it, others said, 'you've got to be
kidding.' I was really proud of it. Then Contract Freighters, Inc. bought
the first units and the trucks began appearing on the highway.

"The first drivers took some ribbing for the truck they dubbed 'Anteater,'"
Orr recalled. "They would say, 'I'll hold my nose and take the teasing.' The
first brave souls did that, but it didn't really bother our engineering team
because we knew we had a winner. We figured people would want to save fuel.
If they were really in the business to make money -- and most are -- they'd
eventually turn to the T600."

Orr was more right than he ever imagined.  Since CFI took delivery of the
first units, Kenworth has sold thousands of T600s.

Larry Orr wasn't just a brilliant and gifted engineer, he was also a
courageous leader, unafraid to take risks when he knew something was "the
right thing to do." As a result he will be long honored, not only for his
pioneering efforts in vehicle aerodynamics, but for the standards he set by
the daily example of his passion and dedication to the work he believed in
and loved.