International Truck and Engine will develop and produce its own 11- to 13-liter Class 8 engines that will complement the company’s current highway-tractor and severe-service truck engine offerings from Caterpillar and Cummins.
The new International engines will be offered exclusively in the company’s vehicles starting in the fall of 2007. The engines are the product of collaboration between International and MAN Nutzfahrzeuge to design, develop, source and manufacture components and systems for commercial trucks.
“Our strategy for enhancing and growing the engine business involves extending our engine product line,” said Jack Allen, president of International’s Engine Group. He said MAN’s expertise in big-bore engines will aid in the expansion of engine choices for International customers.
International currently makes diesel engines for the school bus, medium-size truck and severe-service truck markets. The new Class 8 engines are being designed to meet upcoming Environmental Protection Agency emission regulations for diesel engines.
Current engine supplier Cummins hasn’t yet issued formal comments on International’s engine announcement. Spokesman Kevan Browne said International has made it clear both Cummins and Caterpillar will continue to be partners in supplying engines for various vehicles.
“North America trucks are a big market — there’s a lot of room out there for new types of products,” Browne said. “It’s also a dynamic market, which implies things have to change.”
Browne said Cummins is currently focused on its 2007 product line. “[Cummins isn’t] looking over our shoulder at the other players,” he said.
Jim Dugan, spokesman for Caterpillar, said he couldn’t speculate on what International’s new engine announcement would mean for current suppliers.
“We are currently working jointly with International toward engineering the 2007 line of engines for Class 8 vehicles,” Dugan said.
Caterpillar is producing 13- and 15-liter engines for International.
Patrick Beeson can be contacted at [email protected].
