Cummins engines to displace medium-duty Mercs
Daimler Truck is to end production of its medium-duty engines, which are to be replaced with Cummins designs to be produced within the Mercedes-Benz Mannheim campus in Germany (pictured). The change will come at the changeover from Euro VI to Euro VII, the date of which is still to be determined but is understood to be post-2024.
Ending development of medium-duty engines will enable Daimler to concentrate its efforts on getting its heavy-duty powertrains through Euro VII, and producing zero-emissions drivelines.
Other opportunities for collaboration are also being explored, according to a memorandum of understanding between the two companies.
In Europe, Cummins currently provides medium-duty engines to DAF and Scania, alongside fuel injection, turbocharger and emissions-control technology to many OEMs worldwide.
Martin Daum, chairman of Daimler Truck AG, said: “The memorandum of understanding between Daimler Truck AG and Cummins makes engine production at the Mannheim location fit for the future and at the same time strengthens our competitiveness.
“With the changeover to Euro VII, we would have to invest considerable resources in the further development of our medium-duty engines.
“We are now freeing up these funds to focus them on the technologies that are crucial to our long-term corporate success in the transformation of our industry.”
Tom Linebarger, chairman and CEO of Cummins Inc, said: “Our partnership is a terrific opportunity for both companies to be more competitive, drive global innovation, expand offerings to customers and reduce emissions.
“We are looking forward to working with Daimler on this and exploring other potential opportunities to grow our respective companies…
“Cummins is committed to ensuring any customer anywhere has the right solution by offering them a broad range of power solutions from advanced diesel, near-zero natural gas, fully electric, hydrogen and other technologies.”
Cummins will use its global supply chain to provide the medium-duty engines to Daimler factories building for all markets, including North America. The deal preserves jobs in Mannheim, where the current Daimler engines are assembled, although it seems some Daimler employees will transfer to the Cummins payroll.
Production of heavy-duty Daimler engines will continue in Mannheim and Detroit, and these engines will continue to be offered to third-party manufacturers of vehicle such as coaches. In North America, the heavy-duty engines are sold under the Detroit Diesel brand.
However, Cummins and Daimler will evaluate a broader global strategic cooperation through identifying potential synergies in areas such as powertrain components and engine system components.
A Cummins spokesman was unable to tell Transport Operator which Daimler engines would be replaced by Cummins units, whether the opening of the Cummins plant in Germany might see engine production in Darlington relocated to Mannheim, or if the engines produced for Daimler would also be offered to other chassis manufacturers under the Cummins brand, citing the “freshness” of the announcement and the nature of the memorandum of understanding.
