Under the strategic partnership announced earlier this year between Cummins and Daimler Truck AG, Cummins will invest in the further development of the medium-duty engine platform and its global production and delivery starting in the second half of the decade for Daimler Trucks & Buses, the companies announced Thursday, As a result, Daimler Truck AG will no longer invest its own funds in the further development of its medium-duty engines for the Euro VII 2025 emissions standard, which is expected to be Europe's final step in tightening emissions regulations as the continent works toward phasing out fossil fuels entirely.
Stateside, the implications will be that the same platform will eventually replace the Detroit DD8 and DD5 engines as available powerplants in North American trucks. Current Greenhouse Gas Phase II regulations governing heavy truck emissions in the U.S. are already in place through model year 2027. The Daimler heavy-duty engine platform (HDEP) for the heavy-duty vehicle segment of Daimler Trucks and Buses will remain in the Daimler Truck AG portfolio. The HDEP engine family will continue to be manufactured by the global production network in Mannheim and Detroit, Michigan, and fitted in heavy-duty trucks, in touring coaches as well as in third-party products worldwide.
“The cooperation makes engine production at the Mannheim location ready for the future and strengthens our competitiveness at the same time. We will develop joint solutions, always keeping the interests of our customers, employees and the company in mind,” said Martin Daum, Chairman of the Board of Management at Daimler Truck AG and a member of the Board of Management at Daimler AG.
Cummins Chairman and CEO Tom Linebarger said the partnership is an opportunity for both companies to be more competitive, drive global innovation, expand offerings to customers and reduce emissions.
Cummins Inc. will set up an engine production facility on the site of the Mercedes-Benz Mannheim, Germany, plant for local production of medium-duty engines that meet the Euro VII emissions standard for Daimler Trucks and Buses. Production is expected to start in the second half of the decade.
With this strategic partnership, Daimler Truck AG and Cummins will help maintain jobs at the Mannheim location. Cummins will use its existing footprint, strong production and supply chain networks in other regions to be successful in Daimler Trucks’ brands, including those of Daimler Trucks North America. Cummins has continued to grow its presence and footprint across Europe as it expands its product portfolio for customers ranging from advanced diesel, natural gas, electrified power, hybrids and hydrogen fuel cell powertrains.
As part of the strategic partnership, Daimler Truck AG and Cummins Inc. will continue to evaluate additional opportunities for cooperation. Daimler expects its partnership with Cummins to enable the acceleration of its development efforts on alternative and emerging technologies, including non-diesel engines.
