Daimler Trucks North America has renamed its Detroit Diesel brand of products to better encompass a new powertrain-related component line as well as its well-known family of Detroit engines equipped with BlueTec emissions technology, according to the company.

Developed as an umbrella for Detroit engine products and all future powertrain related components, the new Detroit brand is part of Daimler Trucks’ Global Excellence Strategy which includes an overall optimization of global powertrains. This strategy provides global adaptation and innovation through Daimler Trucks’ uniform production standards and processes and a modular strategy for engine development, engineering and manufacturing processes.

An example of Daimler’s powertrain optimization strategy is the Detroit DD engine line-up that utilizes Daimler Trucks’ global processes for powertrain engineering and development. The portfolio includes the Detroit DD13, DD15, and DD16 engines all equipped with BlueTec emissions technology, Daimler’s global SCR technology.

In January of 2012, a new line of Detroit axles was added to the integrated powertrain portfolio and marks a rapid expansion of the Detroit family of products under the new brand name. Produced at the same facility as Detroit’s industry-leading engines, the complete line of axles covers every trucking segment and includes a wide range of configuration options.
In August, Detroit announced the DT12 automated manual transmission. Driving the next generation of technology with a 12-speed, direct- or over-drive automated manual transmission it combines an automated clutch with a computer-controlled shift actuator to give customers the power they need while optimizing fuel economy.

“Our new powertrain components marketed under the Detroit brand along with the DD engine family, means customers can now benefit from an optimized line of vertically integrated products and can also expect the same level of warranty and support they’ve come to know from our proven line of DD engines,” said Brad Williamson, manager, engine and component marketing for Daimler Trucks North America.

Building on the 70-year heritage of Detroit Diesel, the new Detroit brand comes with extended warranty options and a dealer network consisting of more than 800 locations throughout North America.

The Detroit family of powertrain components will be available across the DTNA product family, including Freightliner Trucks, Western Star, Thomas Built Buses, and Freightliner Custom Chassis platforms; as well as other OEM’s including Pierce Manufacturing and Van Hool. In addition to the new line of axles, other Detroit-branded products will be added to the portfolio over the next year with a wide variety of optimized powertrain products.