Detroit Diesel Corporation Business Report up until FY ended Dec. 31, 2011-2013
Business Highlights
Contracts-In 2013, the Company announced the availability of its Detroit Connect solutions for all new Freightliner "Cascadia" models equipped with Cummins diesel and natural gas engines. Offered as a factory-installed option beginning Q1 2014, the Detroit Connect suite of telematics solutions – which includes visibility fleet software and the new On-Board Tablet - provide a critical link between vehicles, drivers and fleet managers, enhancing uptime and performance. (From a press release on October 21, 2013)
-In 2013, the Company's DT12 Automated Manual Transmission became available for Freightliner "Cascadia" truck models equipped with the Detroit DD13 engine. The DT12 transmission includes features such as multiple driving modes and pneumatic actuators for improved efficiency. (From a press release on September 18, 2013)
-In 2013, the Company announced a five-year extension of its service agreement with Pierce Manufacturing, a subsidiary of Oshkosh Corporation. The DD13 engine will be available exclusively on Pierce's line of custom fire and emergency vehicles through 2018. (From a press release on June 25, 2013)
-In 2012, the Company announced that it will supply the newly designed DD15 engine for the 2014 Freightliner "Cascadia Evolution" Class 8 truck model, production of which will start in 2013. The DD15 engine features an asymmetric turbocharger with an amplified common rail system (ACRS). (From a press release on May 30, 2012)
-In 2012, the Company announced that the new Western Star "4900 set-back (SB)" with Fuel Efficiency (FE) package offered by Western Star Truck Sales, Inc. is combined with the Detroit DD15 featuring BlueTec SCR technology. The 4900SB FE package is also available with the Detroit DD13 engine and the Cummins ISX series of engines. (From a press release on March 22, 2012)
-In 2011, the Company announced that it is supplying DD13 engines for Western Star "4900" day-cab trucks. The Company also will supply DD13 for Western Star "4700" truck, which will be sold in January 2012. (From a press release on October 26, 2011)
Recent Development
-In 2013, the Company built its 500,000th Detroit Steer Axle. Produced at the Company's manufacturing facility in Redford, Michigan, Detroit axles are available in a wide range of configuration options and are compatible with all braking systems offered by Daimler Trucks. (From a press release on September 4, 2013)
-The Company started production of the DT12 automated manual transmission at Daimler's Gaggenau, Germany powertrain facility. Production of the DT12 will be held there until 2015, at which time manufacturing will be transferred to the Detroit brand headquarters in Redford, Michigan, US. The DT12 will be available exclusively in the Freightliner Cascadia equipped with a Detroit DD15 engine. (From a press release on April 29, 2013)
-In 2011, the Company announced that it marked the production of the 100,000th engine coming off its DD Platform assembly line at its Redford, Michigan, US manufacturing facility. The DD Platform of Detroit heavy-duty engines, which includes the DD13, DD15 and DD16, was jointly developed by Daimler Trucks in Germany, Japan and the US. The first unit was produced in 2007 with the introduction of the DD15. (From a press release on November 30, 2011)
-In 2013, the Company's DT12 Automated Manual Transmission became available for Freightliner "Cascadia" truck models equipped with the Detroit DD13 engine. The DT12 transmission includes features such as multiple driving modes and pneumatic actuators for improved efficiency. (From a press release on September 18, 2013)
-In 2013, the Company announced a five-year extension of its service agreement with Pierce Manufacturing, a subsidiary of Oshkosh Corporation. The DD13 engine will be available exclusively on Pierce's line of custom fire and emergency vehicles through 2018. (From a press release on June 25, 2013)
-In 2012, the Company announced that it will supply the newly designed DD15 engine for the 2014 Freightliner "Cascadia Evolution" Class 8 truck model, production of which will start in 2013. The DD15 engine features an asymmetric turbocharger with an amplified common rail system (ACRS). (From a press release on May 30, 2012)
-In 2012, the Company announced that the new Western Star "4900 set-back (SB)" with Fuel Efficiency (FE) package offered by Western Star Truck Sales, Inc. is combined with the Detroit DD15 featuring BlueTec SCR technology. The 4900SB FE package is also available with the Detroit DD13 engine and the Cummins ISX series of engines. (From a press release on March 22, 2012)
-In 2011, the Company announced that it is supplying DD13 engines for Western Star "4900" day-cab trucks. The Company also will supply DD13 for Western Star "4700" truck, which will be sold in January 2012. (From a press release on October 26, 2011)
Recent Development
-In 2013, the Company built its 500,000th Detroit Steer Axle. Produced at the Company's manufacturing facility in Redford, Michigan, Detroit axles are available in a wide range of configuration options and are compatible with all braking systems offered by Daimler Trucks. (From a press release on September 4, 2013)-The Company started production of the DT12 automated manual transmission at Daimler's Gaggenau, Germany powertrain facility. Production of the DT12 will be held there until 2015, at which time manufacturing will be transferred to the Detroit brand headquarters in Redford, Michigan, US. The DT12 will be available exclusively in the Freightliner Cascadia equipped with a Detroit DD15 engine. (From a press release on April 29, 2013)
-In 2011, the Company announced that it marked the production of the 100,000th engine coming off its DD Platform assembly line at its Redford, Michigan, US manufacturing facility. The DD Platform of Detroit heavy-duty engines, which includes the DD13, DD15 and DD16, was jointly developed by Daimler Trucks in Germany, Japan and the US. The first unit was produced in 2007 with the introduction of the DD15. (From a press release on November 30, 2011)
R&D
Product Developments
Detroit Connect telematics systems-In 2013, the Company launched the Detroit Connect telematics brand. Detroit Connect will provide telematic solutions for commercial vehicles to improve efficiency, uptime and performance. Products offered by Detroit Connect include the newly developed On-Board Tablet, a tablet with applications to streamline drive communications and responsibilities; Detroit Virtual Technician, an onboard diagnostics system; and visibility fleet software, which uses GPS and wireless communication to provide real-time data on a vehicle fleet to a secured website. (From a press release on September 18, 2013)
DT12 automated manual transmission
-In 2012, the Company unveiled the Detroit DT12 automated manual transmission. The DT12 combines the operational ease of an automatic with the efficiency of a manual transmission. Available in the Freightliner "Cascadia", the DT12 maximizes fuel efficiency for line-haul/long haul operations. The automated manual transmission combines a traditional manual gearbox with high-speed, computer-controlled shift and clutch actuators that automatically and seamlessly select the right shift pattern. Advanced technologies include Skip Shift, which automatically skips gears, enabling the transmission to run through lower gears faster to achieve cruising speed sooner; and eCoast, which allows the vehicle to 'coast' down grades with the engine operating at idle speeds. The transmission's lightweight aluminum design results in up to 300 pounds in weight savings versus cast iron designs. (From a press release on August 8, 2012)
Diesel engine
-In 2012, the Company announced new enhancements to its engine family for 2013. Engineered to meet Greenhouse Gas 2014 (GHG14) regulations, the updated Detroit family of heavy-duty engines combines engine, electronics and BlueTec emissions technology improvements to enhance fuel economy. The newly designed Detroit DD15 engine features an asymmetric turbocharger with a next-generation amplified common rail system (ACRS). Additional engine enhancements include an optimized piston design, which reduces oil consumption through the use of an improved oil control ring. The updated Detroit DD13 engine features longer service intervals and improvements such as fuel injector nozzle modifications and a new crankcase sensor for OBD requirements. The Company will continue to offer the DD15 TC (with turbo compounding) which will receive many of the engine family changes including the new DDEC electronic controls and improved fuel filter system. The DD15 TC will be available in many of the Freightliner and Western Star trucks. The enhanced Detroit DD16 now has a wider selection of available horsepower and torque ratings that have been shifted from the DD15 engine. (From a press release on June 20, 2012)