Cummins to Produce Light-Duty Diesel Engine

Cummins has reached agreement with a major automotive manufacturer serving the North American market to produce and market a light-duty, diesel-powered engine.  

However, citing competitive reasons, Cummins declined to name the manufacturing partner.

As part of the agreement, Cummins, headquartered in Columbus, Ind., will develop and manufacture a family of high-performance, light-duty diesel engines for a variety of automotive applications in vehicles below 8,500 pounds gross vehicle weight, including standard pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. 

The first vehicles with this engine are expected to be ready for market by the end of the decade. Cummins anticipates this diesel engine will provide an average of 30 percent fuel savings, depending on the drive cycle, over gasoline-powered engines for comparable vehicles.

The concept for this product is the result of a nine-year partnership between Cummins and the U. S. Department of Energy. The DOE contract began in 1997 because of the federal agency's ongoing interest in energy efficiency in the automotive market.

"This agreement gives the driving public an even greater opportunity to experience the benefits of a new class of vehicles powered by a high-performance, fuel-efficient, clean diesel engine made by Cummins," says Tim Solso, Cummins Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "This line of diesel engines also will fuel the growth of an exciting new market in which Cummins does not currently participate.”