Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) announced the delivery of its 1000th natural gas truck on November 8, saying it is the first commercial vehicle manufacturer in North America to achieve such a milestone.
DTNA turned over the key to its 1,000th natural gas truck, a Freightliner M2 112 compressed natural gas (CNG) truck with a Cummins Westport ISL G engine, to customer Ryder System Inc during a ceremony to commemorate the milestone at Angel Stadium in Anaheim CA.
The Freightliner M2 112 CNG truck is powered by a Cummins Westport ISL G 8.9 liter engine, the only one of its kind that is a factory-produced, dedicated natural gas engine. The 1,000th Freightliner natural gas vehicle was manufactured at DTNA's plant in Mt Holly NC.
"With our 1,000th natural gas truck, DTNA solidifies its position as the market leader in alternative fuel options," said Mark Lampert, DTNA senior vice-president, sales and marketing. "This achievement is unmatched in the commercial vehicle industry, and we are proud to be pacing the industry in natural gas and sustainable green technologies."
Daimler's natural gas truck technology offerings provide many economic and environmental benefits without sacrificing performance, according to Lampert. In addition, natural gas vehicles offer tremendous fuel cost saving potential with natural gas fuel costs 30% to 40% less than diesel, based on current prices. Natural gas vehicles also produce significantly lower amounts of harmful emissions, cancer-causing pollutants, and greenhouse gases.
Upon formally accepting the vehicle, Scott Perry, vice-president, supply management, Ryder Fleet Management Solutions stated, "As a leader in commercial transportation and logistics, Ryder is leveraging its unique ability to influence and reach a broad, diverse customer base to improve access to alternative fuels such as natural gas. Working closely with industry partners like Freightliner enables us to continue to offer our customers new vehicle technologies that are reliable, cost-effective, and that help them realize their sustainable transportation goals."
DTNA leads the automotive manufacturing market in the production of natural gas powered conventional commercial vehicles with a combined sales figure of 3,600 natural gas vehicles across its Daimler Trucks North America brands, including Thomas Built Buses and Freightliner Custom Chassis. A leader in developing clean vehicle technologies, the company also celebrated its 1,000th hybrid vehicle earlier this year at the DTNA manufacturing plant in Mt. Holly, North Carolina. ♦
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