m i d r a n g e

Daimler-Benz’s Powertrain Unit Now Free-Standing

Daimler-Benz has established its Powertrain Business Unit as an independent entity, offering engines, transmissions, axles and steering systems to other truck manufacturers worldwide.
     One of its first customers: Freightliner Corp., which signed on in September. The Daimler-owned U.S. affiliate will begin offering Daimler 900 series diesels as an option in midrange Business Class trucks and Freightliner Custom Chassis vehicles early next year, and will add German transmissions and axles later.
     The 900 diesel series, introduced in 1996, includes four-cylinder (4.3 liter) and six-cylinder (6.4 liter) models with horsepower up to 275.
     The engines use three-valve technology (two-intake, one exhaust), turbocharging and charge air cooling. They are fully electronic with direct injection and feature a constant throttle engine brake.
     Cylinder bores are induction-hardened, maintenance intervals average 62,500 miles and the engines are designed to achieve 375,000 miles before general overhaul, Daimler said.
     Freightliner also plans to offer the Daimler engines and other components in its Sterling (formerly Ford heavy truck) lineup and in its American LaFrance fire trucks. It already has an 11-ton axle in service in a U.S. fire truck, according to Freightliner President/CEO Jim Hebe.
     He said the Daimler components “are not meant to replace anything” in Freightliner’s current vehicle offerings. Rather, he said, they will assure the company of a component supply in its fastest area of growth, which he termed “medium duty and below.”
     Freightliner products with Daimler powertrains enhance the value added for truck operators and dealers, Hebe said, because Freightliner will take responsibility for the entire vehicle through its dealers.