A Tradition of Excellence Continues at Detroit: A Milestone Timeline
1938General Motors forms the GM Diesel Division, which produces the two-cycle Series 71 engine for construction, military and standby generator use.1955GM Diesel develops heavy-duty engines to meet commercial trucking needs, including the Series 53 engine, introduced for the on-highway market.1965GM Diesel becomes the Detroit Engine Division, consolidating business with the Allison Division for the next two decades.1970-1986Detroit 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.1987The 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.1988A joint venture between Penske Corporation and General Motors creates Detroit Diesel Corporation (DDC).1993By this point, DDC has grown on-highway market share from 3% to 33%.2000Daimler Chrysler acquires DDC, placing it under the Daimler Truck of North America umbrella, bringing all commercial vehicle divisions together in a new business unit.2005DDC 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.2010An additional $190 million investment in DDC includes the launch of BlueTEC® emissions technology and other DD engine platforms.2011Expanding its product line beyond engines to include transmissions and axles, DDC simplifies its name to Detroit®.2012The 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 brand2013Detroit 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 2015Daimler 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.
