The 82,000-square-foot facility near Columbus adds 25 service bays, a central parts distribution center and direct access to one of the region’s key freight corridors.
The dealership, located near the I-70 corridor about 20 miles east of downtown Columbus, is scheduled to celebrate its grand opening on July 29, 2026. The facility covers 82,000 square feet and brings together a 25-bay service shop, a 36,000-square-foot central parts distribution center, expanded office and retail space, and driver-focused amenities. Ohio Peterbilt says the Etna location is planned to employ approximately 150 team members and become one of the largest and most advanced Peterbilt dealerships in the state.
The location matters. Central Ohio sits at the crossroads of major trucking routes serving the Midwest, the Mid-Atlantic and national distribution networks. For fleets running through Columbus, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Cincinnati or beyond, access to service and parts near I-70 can directly affect vehicle utilization. The corridor is also gaining attention for freight innovation: Ohio and Indiana have been working on an I-70 truck automation corridor between Columbus and Indianapolis, underlining the route’s importance to future trucking operations.
Ohio Peterbilt first announced the Etna project in May 2025, describing it as a 20-acre development with visibility from I-70. The original plan included 11,000 square feet of office and retail space, 36,000 square feet for central parts distribution, and 35,000 square feet for a full-service shop with 25 bays. The dealership also includes driver amenities such as ample parking and a dog park, details that reflect how modern truck centers are increasingly designed not only for equipment but also for the people operating it. (PR Newswire)
That shift is visible across the wider Peterbilt network. Peterbilt says its North American dealer network includes more than 430 locations, while its Platinum Service Center program emphasizes rapid check triage, low repair dwell time, expanded service hours, certified MX engine technicians, roadside assistance, mobile service and parts availability. In that context, the Etna facility is part of a broader industry move: dealers are becoming uptime hubs, not just sales branches. (peterbilt.com)
For commercial trucking customers, the most immediate impact should come from service capacity and parts logistics. A 25-bay shop gives the dealership more room to handle maintenance, diagnostics and repair work, while the central parts distribution center is intended to improve parts availability and delivery efficiency across the region. For vocational fleets, construction suppliers, dump truck operators, haulers and mixed commercial fleets, fewer delays in parts and service can translate into better asset utilization and lower downtime costs.
The facility also strengthens Ohio Peterbilt’s position inside the Ohio Machinery Co. family of brands, which includes Ohio Cat and other businesses serving heavy equipment and transportation customers. That connection is relevant for contractors and fleet owners that operate both on-highway trucks and jobsite equipment, where service relationships often extend across multiple machine categories. (PR Newswire)
The grand opening will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at 201 Carter Drive in Etna. Ohio Peterbilt says customers, partners and community members will be able to tour the facility. Heavy D and Diesel Dave, known from the television series Diesel Brothers, are also scheduled to appear as special guests, with a select group of customers invited to a VIP meet-and-greet. (Ohio Peterbilt)
“Our Etna location is more than just a new dealership—it’s a destination,” said Mike Crawford, Vice President of Ohio Peterbilt. “We’re excited to officially open our doors and celebrate with our customers, partners, and the community. Having Heavy D and Diesel Dave join us makes this event even more special, and we look forward to welcoming everyone to see what this facility has to offer.”
Beyond the event itself, the Etna opening shows how the dealership model is evolving in heavy-duty transportation. As fleets demand faster repairs, stronger parts pipelines and more predictable uptime, large-scale service infrastructure is becoming a competitive advantage. For Ohio Peterbilt, Etna is not simply a new location near Columbus. It is a larger support platform for trucks moving through one of the Midwest’s most important freight corridors.
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