Supplier News

* Peterbilt will offer an exclusive 475-horsepower N14 engine from Cummins. A 475 rating (at 2100 rpm in this case) has been the predominant choice among Pete customers, so the truck maker asked Cummins to create one. The engine is priced the same as the N14 460, and is uprateable to 525 horsepower. Peak torque is 1750 pound feet at 1200 rpm, though the curve is flat from 1100 to 1400. The standard Cummins warranty of two years or 250,000 miles applies to the new engine, with five-year/500,000-mile extended coverage available. And for the first time, Cummins N14 engines are available in Pete’s long-length Model 387.

* Cummins and International ended talks on a potential joint venture to build heavy-duty truck engines. Cummins had sought $35 million US in financial assistance from the states of Indiana and New York that would have allowed investment in the joint venture. Cummins, which wants to establish closer ties to original equipment manufacturers, said it plans to explore other ways to cut costs and build relationships with original equipment manufacturers as it tries to restore the profitability of its heavy-truck engine business.

* ArvinMeritor will build steel wheels for commercial trucks at its factory in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. The plant currently produces steel wheels for cars and light trucks. The company has added the capacity and machinery to produce steel wheels up to 22.5 inches in diameter. ArvinMeritor also announced aftermarket distribution alliances with GRA-MAG Truck Interior Systems and ANCRA International. GRA-MAG’s line of air-suspension truck seats will be offered as replacement parts to Meritor-brand warehouse distributors, as well as to truck makers. And ANCRA’s line of heavy-duty cargo restraints will go to ArvinMeritor warehouse distributor customers as part of the Euclid line. The products include winch and ratchet strap assemblies, cargo bars, decking beams, and additional restraints for both flatbeds and van trailers.

* International’s Diamond SPEC Solutions program, an application-based spec’ing system, has been expanded to include 1000, 2000, 4000, 5000i, 7000, 8000, and 9000i series medium, heavy, and severe-service trucks. Along with easy spec’ing and ordering, customer benefits include Emergency Breakdown Service, new base limited warranties, and optional support packages like replacement vehicles and a parts-availability guarantee. All new International 4000, 7000, and 8000 series trucks will be part of the program as they reach full production.

* Detroit Diesel and International extended their Series 40 engine distribution agreement through 2003. The Series 40 is an in-line, six-cylinder, four-cycle diesel engine in 7.6- and 8.7-litre capacities. It uses hydraulically actuated electronically controlled unit injectors and fully integrated electronic controls, and is available with power ratings ranging from 167 to 330 horsepower. Detroit Diesel has been marketing the Series 40 since 1991 for off-highway and specialty on-highway market sectors.