REPORT: A new powertrain testing facility costing £13.4 million is just part of the recent investment by Cummins at its Darlington plant in North East England. As well as research and development, the site is one of the key engine plants belonging to the global business.
If you believe the UK no longer makes anything, then take a trip to the North East of England — still a massive engineering area in Great Britain producing all sorts of components and equipment. One of the more familiar names is Cummins, which last year produced 72,325 engines and 41,785 exhaust after-treatment systems out of its Darlington plant as well as carrying out research and development on new-generation engines. And
it doesn’t look as though things are going to slow down any time soon.
The site has been extensively upgraded in recent years to drive efficiency and update facilities, yet one of the biggest investments, which has just been officially opened, is a new powertrain testing facility. Although diesel fuel has been the bread and butter for Cummins since the company was founded in 1919, the global engine maker is now looking at hydrogen as a future fuel for its internal combustion engines. As part of that process, it wants to test not just the engine but the entire powertrain as it looks to become a full package supplier to vehicle makers. Indeed, two years ago, Cummins acquired Meritor, which builds axle and braking system products, bringing it closer to being a full powertrain supplier. Vehicle makers would then be able to add their own chassis and bodywork to the already developed driveline. That’s a potential future.
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