Detroit Diesel Corp (DDC) has released additional information about its 2002 Series 60 engine program.
Lud Koci, DDC vice-chairman and chief executive officer, said, “Consistent with our initial commitment, we have met our objectives. Having said that, we still believe the industry would be well-served by a longer period of time for customers to test our new engines. Unfortunately, given the compressed development schedule, it is apparent that our industry will face another up-and-down cycle due to pre-buying and delayed buying. DDC wants to reassure our customers of our long-term commitment to them, and our near-term commitment to provide engines in October 2002 that meet Environmental Protection Agency requirements without penalties or aftertreatment devices.
“Our engines will use Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR), which is the same technology chosen by almost all engine manufacturers worldwide to meet 2002 levels. EGR adds some cost due to the additional hardware involved. However, we believe there are similar and substantial costs also involved in the one other alternate technology considered.”
Two additional prototype Series 60 units were placed into revenue service at one of DDC's largest customers February 8 and 15, 2002. These are 12.7-liter engines rated at 430 hp and 1550 ft-lb torque. This is a truckload operation with each unit running 2,000 to 2,500 miles per week. Additional 2002 Series 60 pre-production test engines are being released to other customers for evaluation and are being installed by a number of OEMs on their standard assembly lines.
As previously announced, DDC initially will make about 95% of its ratings available in October 2002. DDC will submit applications for 2002 emissions certification to the EPA approximately 30-60 days in advance of scheduled production. First production versions of the 2002 Series 60 engine are scheduled to be available in September 2002.
