Cummins to add light-duty diesel

Cummins Inc. announced it has reached an agreement with a major automotive manufacturer serving the North American market to produce and market a light-duty, diesel-powered engine. Cummins did not specify the automaker upon its request “for competitive reasons.”

As part of the agreement, Cummins will develop and manufacture a family of high-performance, light-duty diesel engines for a variety of automotive applications in vehicles below 8,500 lb. GVW, including full-size pickup trucks and SUVs.

The first vehicles with these engines are expected to be ready for market by the end of the decade. Cummins said the new engine will provide an average of 30% fuel savings over gasoline-powered engines in comparable vehicles.

Cummins has not yet selected a manufacturing site for the new engine.

Investment banking firm Bear Stearns has speculated that Nissan is a likely customer for the engine, perhaps for use in its Titan pickup.

For more information, go to www.cummins.com