PORTLAND, OR – Daimler Trucks North America announced that a major retailer has purchased 300 Freightliner Cascadia trucks equipped with Detroit Diesel DD15 engines. The Cascadia and the DD15, featuring excellent fuel-efficiency, power and performance, met specific criteria for reliability, fuel economy, durability, and serviceability set by the purchaser, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Two Cascadias equipped with DD15 engines were tested within Wal-Mart’s fleet prior to the purchase.

“Wal-Mart is committed to making its private fleet 25 percent more efficient by the end of 2008,” said Jeff Byrne, senior director of purchasing and fleet maintenance for the Transportation Division at Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. “We are constantly evaluating new technology and new innovation as we look for additional ways to improve our fleet’s efficiency and reduce our company’s carbon footprint.”

Delivery of the Cascadia 60-inch XT sleepers to Wal-Mart are slated to begin in September.

The DD15 achieves its fuel-efficiency, power and performance goals through the application of a new Amplified Common Rail System, as well as innovative turbo compounding technology. With its combination of exhaust gas recirculation and a particulate filter for reduced emissions, the DD15 is ready to take on the upcoming EPA 2010 standards with a simple downstream selective catalytic reduction device that optimizes fuel efficiency while reducing harmful NOx emissions.