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Powered by History. Driving the Future. Detroit.
A Tradition of Excellence Continues at Detroit:
A Milestone Timeline
1938
General Motors forms the GM Diesel Division, which produces the two-cycle Series 71 engine for construction, military and standby generator use.
1955
GM Diesel develops heavy-duty engines to meet commercial trucking needs, including the Series 53 engine, introduced for the on-highway market.
1965
GM Diesel becomes the Detroit Engine Division, consolidating business with the Allison Division for the next two decades.
1970-1986
Detroit Diesel Allison produces its first four-cycle engine. In the early 1980s, diesel engine production splits off as Detroit Diesel Allison Division, while turbine engine production retains the Allison Division name.
1987
The Detroit Diesel Series 60® engine is developed to meet the demand for a more fuel-efficient, heavy-duty engine, quickly becoming the most popular heavy-duty diesel engine in the North American class-8 truck market.
1988
A joint venture between Penske Corporation and General Motors creates Detroit Diesel Corporation (DDC).
1993
By this point, DDC has grown on-highway market share from 3% to 33%.
2000
Daimler Chrysler acquires DDC, placing it under the Daimler Truck of North America umbrella, bringing all commercial vehicle divisions together in a new business unit.
2005
DDC invests over $300 million to refurbish and retool its manufacturing facility. This decade also includes the Heavy-Duty Engine Platform launch, including the DD15® engine and the sale of the millionth Detroit Diesel Series 60 engine.
2010
An additional $190 million investment in DDC includes the launch of BlueTEC® emissions technology and other DD engine platforms.
2011
Expanding its product line beyond engines to include transmissions and axles, DDC simplifies its name to Detroit®.
2012
The one-hundred-thousandth DD-platform engine leaves the factory, while axles, transmissions, Detroit Connect Virtual Technician® and Detroit Connect® are introduced, along with the Detroit® Genuine Parts brand
2013
Detroit completes the Detroit Connect® telematics solution, the first OEM provided, factory-installed telematics solution with remote diagnostics and on-board tablets. Detroit® also launches the first fully integrated Detroit® powertrain in the Freightliner Cascadia Evolution, with components that were engineered and manufactured to work together. The integrated powertrain features a down-sped DD15® engine, the DT12® transmission, and puts power to the road with high-speed ratio 6x4 or 6x2
2015
Daimler designs and offers the first complete suite of safety systems, Detroit Assurance®, featuring both a radar system and optional camera system. And staying ahead of the new 2017 Greenhouse Gas emission standards, Detroit offers 2016 engines that meet these regulations a full year ahead of schedule, showing that we’re working towards a greener footprint. Detroit® announces a $375 million investment to bring new mid-range engine line to the Detroit Production Facility.
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