While Some sectors in the trucking industry are having difficulties, Cummins is rolling strong, recording the best year in its history last year, despite a decline in commercial truck sales.
Cummins built a total of 900,000 engines for worldwide markets, generating $8.2 billion in revenue, which is more than double the revenue of five years ago, said Jim Kelly, president of Cummins engine division. This improved profitability enables the company to invest more in new technology and product development.
The gains were accomplished despite a 50% decline in heavy duty truck sales and a 43% drop in medium duty truck sales, he said. He attributed the business boost to Cummins' ongoing global strategy of diversification into other engine markets, such as power generation and marine.
Emissions
Cummins is developing selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) systems to comply with the more stringent 2010 US EPA diesel emissions regulations.
“We have a foot in each camp,” said Cummins vice- president of sales and marketing Jeff Jones, “because we believe there needs to be the right technology for the right markets, and our product line will be ready for 2010.”
In applications where trucks come home every night, re-supplying SCR engines with the required diesel exhaust fluid (urea) is easier, he said. For long-haul operations, urea infrastructure could be a problem; so EGR engines offer a better option.
Products
Cummins has two new ComfortGuard APU (auxiliary power unit) solutions that meet the 2008 California Air Resources Board (CARB) idle reduction regulation that went into effect on January 1. This regulation established more stringent standards to further reduce emissions by limiting the idling of new and in-use diesel-powered trucks, and requiring that diesel-powered APUs have exhaust aftertreatment.
The first solution is a stand-alone particulate filter. The other is a Cummins engine installation kit to route the ComfortGuard diesel exhaust gas into the Cummins Particulate Filter. Both options will be in production by the end of this June.
Meantime, the company has expanded its ReCon line of remanufactured products. The latest additions are cooled-EGR ISX and ISM engines and components; High Pressure Common Rail (HPCR) fuel system components for the ISL, ISC, and ISB engines; and aftertreatment components for the Cummins' current production engines.
Training
Cummins has, specifically for drivers, created an assortment of training tools. The new driver training audio CD presents the various features of its engines, plus information on such key topics as fuel economy, load-based speed control, and the Cummins aftertreatment system.
For more in-depth driver training on improving fuel economy and understanding Cummins aftertreatment system, a new DVD is designed to allow viewing in segments.
An easy-to-read driver tip card also highlights fuel-saving techniques and provides an overview of dash lamps and switches found in vehicles with Cummins EPA '07 engines.