Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon and Daimler Trucks have reached a deal over a controversial lawsuit. As Kristian Foden-Vencil reports, the hope among local businesses is that the deal will keep Daimler’s head office -- and its 2000 jobs -- in Portland, at least for a while.

The dust-up between Daimler and the state started three years ago, when the company lost an $850 million lawsuit.

While the case was based in England, Oregon has a law saying local victims rights groups are due 60 percent of punitive damages.

The then-Attorney General went to court to get the money. That action, some believe, was partially responsible for Daimler deciding to close its Freightliner plant.

Ryan Deckert is with the Oregon Business Association. 

Ryan Deckert: “You could not only hear it in the words. But you could see it in the expression whenever you’d meet with Freightliner executives, if felt like a finger in the eye to them. The finger is now out of the eye.”

The Oregon Department of Justice issued a statement saying it hoped the deal will keep Daimler’s head office in Oregon. The company said the deal is a significant and welcome gesture of support.