Brand Feature: Detroit Diesel
A subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America, Detroit Diesel has been manufacturing heavy-duty engines since 1938. Over decades of operations, the brand has gained a strong reputation due to its quality, power, durability, and low maintenance – making it a top choice for many commercial fleets.
Today's brand spotlight on Detroit Diesel will explore the company's history, evolution, and engines and why they're an excellent choice for your next truck. Whether you are in the market for a new engine or just doing your research, this will be a worthwhile read. Let's get started.
Detroit Diesel Engines
Based in Detroit, Michigan, U.S, Detroit is an industry-leading engine, axles, and transmission manufacturer that caters to Western Trucks and Freightliner. Detroit now aims to provide a complete range of trucking solutions. Daimler Truck AG, a multinational commercial truck manufacturer, was the parent company of Detroit Diesel.
Since it arrived in the market in 1938, the brand has delivered over five million engines globally. In addition to the regular trucking product line, the company offers a Virtual Technician Service known as Detroit Connect for remote fault detection and support.
Beginning of Detroit Diesel
The company was initially known as the General Motors (GM) Diesel Division when it started its journey in 1938. Due to exceptional reliability and fuel economy, GM Diesel Division quickly became successful.
One of the first engines manufactured by the company was Series 71, which became very popular among heavy-duty military and construction vehicles. Series 71 came to the market almost at the same time as World War II when there was an enormous demand for heavy engines for tanks, construction trucks, and power generation machines.
GM Diesel capitalized on the growing demand, and during 1943, they reached a yearly manufacturing capacity of 58,000 through a team of 4,300 staff. Series 53, the successor of Series 71, also posted excellent sales figures and contributed to the reputation of GM Diesel in its early days.
GM formed a joint venture with Penske Corporation in the late-1980s to form the Detroit Diesel Corporation (DDC) as a subsidiary of Daimler Truck North America. In 1993, the DDC reached a market share of 33% in the heavy-duty highway truck segment, which was a leap from its 3% market share only a few years earlier. The growth also helped the company become publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
Now that you know about the early days of Detroit Diesel, let’s explore how it went for the company in recent decades.
2000 – Current for Detroit Diesel
In 2000, the DDC underwent a significant organizational change when DaimlerChrysler, the German multinational automobile giant, acquired DDC. DaimlerChrysler integrated DDC within DaimlerChrysler Powersystems, a new business wing for the German company.
DDC invested $350 million to completely modernize its production plant before introducing Series 60, the new generation of DD engines, to the market in 2007. Within less than two years, Detroit Diesel sold one million units of Series 60.
DDC brought in several new engine models within a couple of years, including DD13, DD15, and DD 16, with BlueTec, a new clean diesel emissions technology. Truck Writers of North America awarded the Technical Achievement award to DD15.
Why Choose Detroit Diesel Engines?
Detroit is a North American diesel engine market leader, with more than 800 authorized service centers in North America. The following factors have contributed to the reputation and success of Detroit.
Comprehensive Product Line
As a leading engine manufacturer, Detroit offers a versatile product line with a suitable engine for almost every commercial trucking and construction application. The company's product line includes both medium-duty and heavy-duty engines known for their quality, durability, and power.
Strong After-sales and Service Support
Detroit provides excellent after-sales and service support in addition to offering quality products. The company has a team of highly trained and experienced service technicians who are always ready to assist. The Virtual Technician service helps fleets to diagnose problems remotely and offer solutions.
Powerful and Efficient Mid-Range Engines
The DD5 and DD8 are the most recent additions to the Detroit Diesel mid-range engine types. Both engines feature cutting-edge technology that makes them powerful and efficient.
High Payload
When looking for excellent engine solutions to handle less-than-truckload (LTL) loads for local delivery channels, DD13 engines are highly cost-effective. You can quickly increase your payload capacity without increasing your investment and maintenance budget.
Smart Power Management
Detroit has combined multiple intelligent power management systems within its DD15 engine, ensuring a solid driving experience. You can use the DD15 engines for various purposes, including construction, dumping, emergency services, and motor homes.
High-Efficiency
Detroit greatly emphasizes pushing its high fuel efficiency to the limit through continuous innovation. A new after-treatment system of the latest Gen 5 DD15 engines increases fuel efficiency by up to three percent .
Raw Strength
DD16 provides up to 600 HP and 2050 lb-ft of torque when you need raw power for your heavy-duty vehicles. DD16 can still carry heavy cargo to the destination no matter how difficult the road condition is.
Detroit Diesel Engines for Semi-Trucks & Commercial Vehicles
Let’s take a closer look at the technical specs and capabilities of a few of the most popular DD engines.
Detroit DD5
Detroit offers DD5 engines for medium-duty trucks like Freightliner M2 106. You will find three variations of DD5, ranging from 200 to 240 HP and 560 to 660 lb-ft of torque. According to Detroit, DD5 can surpass 12.0 miles per gallon (MPG).
DD5 does not require a lot of maintenance. You can change the engine and oil filters only after every 50,000 miles and adjust the valve lash after every 100,000 miles. Detroit covers you with a warranty of three years and 250,000 miles for DD5.
Detroit DD8
DD8 has a B10 life of 400,000 miles meaning 90% of DD8 engines can run up to 400,000 miles without requiring a complete overhaul. It also has the same warranty as DD5. DD8 can deliver 260- 350 HP and 660 - 1050 lb-ft of torque.
In ideal driving conditions, you will get up to 8.5 MPG. The maintenance intervals for engine oil and filter is 60,000 miles, and valve lash adjustment is 120,000 miles.
Detroit DD13
DD13 has both front and rear engine versions of heavy-duty diesel engines, where you will get higher power and more excellent maneuverability in the rear engine variant. DD13 delivers 6-6.9 MPG, depending on the models and specifications.
Detroit covers DD13 with a 2-year warranty for unlimited miles. You will also get separate warranties for the injector and all other major engine components.
Detroit DD15
DD15 takes the capabilities of DD13 several steps further, along with the same maintenance intervals for significant components, the same mileage, and the same warranty process for the engine family.
With a 14.8 liter displacement, DD15 can deliver 400 - 505 HP and 1550 - 1750 lb-ft of torque. Detroit has implemented an Amplified Common Rail System (ACRS) to ensure better combustion control on DD15.
Wrap-Up
Detroit Diesel has established itself as a trusted engine manufacturer with a long history of quality and performance. The company offers a variety of engines for different types of trucks and commercial applications.
Detroit Diesel should be at the top of your list if you're in the market for a new engine with industry-leading performance and efficiency. Head to our online store at Heavy Duty Pros to source all the high-quality Detroit Diesel engine parts and kits you need.
FAQs
Who makes the best diesel engine?
The best engine depends on individual preferences, needs, and use cases. However, many consider Detroit Diesel as one of the best engine manufacturers on the market. The company's engines delivered excellent quality, power, durability, and low maintenance, making them a top choice for many commercial fleets.
Are Detroit Diesels good engines?
Detroit Diesel makes reliable and efficient engines and strives to improve them through continuous innovations and new technologies. Truck Writers of North America awarded the Technical Achievement award to the DD15 engine for achieving exceptional technological advancement and cutting-edge diesel engine technology.
What vehicles have Detroit Diesel engines?
Detroit Diesel manufactures engines for various vehicles, including semi-trucks, dump trucks, construction vehicles, commercial vehicles, emergency vehicles, motor homes, and more.