Redford, USA - The engine manufacturer Detroit Diesel Corporation, a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America, recently delivered its first two trucks equipped with BlueTec exhaust treatment technology to customers for testing. The vehicles were sent to the largest truckload carrier company in the U.S., Schneider National, Inc., which has its headquarters in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Schneider National has been obtaining its engines from Detroit Diesel since 1991. Today more than 90 percent of its fleet vehicles are powered by Detroit Diesel engines.

The two customer demonstration vehicles are Freightliner Cascadia trucks. They are equipped with Detroit Diesel DD15 engines with BlueTec technology. Prior to delivery, these trucks were already tested over a distance of 45,000 miles (approximately 70,000 kilometers). The vehicles are now being integrated into Schneider National’s truck fleet for testing under everyday conditions. The vehicles are equipped with BlueTec so that they can meet the EPA 2010 emissions standard, which will go into effect in the U.S. next year.

Steve Duley, Vice President Purchasing at Schneider National, noted that the company is keeping close tabs on the two Freightliner trucks and that its drivers and technicians provide Detroit Diesel with feedback every day. “By actually field-testing the technology, we are putting the units into real-life situations, which ultimately helps Detroit Diesel engineers to identify every possible issue in advance,” said Duley. He also pointed out that the company is confident that the experience it gains in this manner will help it to prepare for the transition period.

Detroit Diesel already decided in 2005 to use BlueTec technology to meet the upcoming EPA 2010 emissions standards. By employing the SCR system, Daimler Trucks North America is benefiting from the experience obtained with Mercedes-Benz BlueTec trucks in Europe. More than 200,000 of these trucks have been driven on Europe’s roads since they were introduced in 2005. These trucks have demonstrated their capabilities over a distance of more than 20 million kilometers. The SCR exhaust treatment system known as BlueTec reduces fuel consumption and ensures that vehicles emit almost no nitrogen exhaust.

A company of Daimler Trucks North America, Detroit Diesel Corporation is a leading manufacturer of on-highway diesel engines for the commercial truck market.