Cummins-Foton team up to build China’s Super Truck

Tackling global climate change was at the forefront of the 8th U.S.-China Energy Efficiency Forum held last week. At the conference, Beijing-based Foton Motor Company officially signed a “Memorandum of Green Power and Smart Truck Cooperation Development Project” with Indiana-based Cummins Inc.

The memorandum secures the commitment of both companies to launch an initiative to “the second stage of the ‘China Super Truck’ program.”

Development of the program provides benefits for both sides as Foton and Cummins will work to create new energy sources to lessen dependence on fossil fuels without compromising transport efficiency. The companies are “creating globally-leading green smart trucks to comply with the green environmental protection” outlined by U.S.-China Energy Efficiency Forum.

The target for decreasing fuel consumption is between 15% and 20% while the goal for reducing carbon emission is 20%. In the course of going green energy-wise, they have not lost track of increasing transport efficiency, which they hope to increase 50%.

The Foton-Cummings joint venture started in 2008. Engines produced under the original joint venture met the requirements mandated in environmental laws with a focus on emissions standards enforced in “Euro IV, Euro V and Euro VI emission rules.”

Cummins announced the powertrain that it has created exclusively for the Super Truck – the ISG super powertrain – is based on artificial intelligence technology. It comes with “high-efficiency fuel-saving advantages” needed in operating a heavy-duty truck.

Foton is supplying a Foton Auman EST model.

There has been no official launch date yet, but Foton noted the launch will be this year for specific areas like Russia and Peru.

Development of the truck took four years, using information gathered from the R&D efforts of Beijing Foton Daimler Automotive Co., Ltd., (BFDA).

Foton has confirmed alliances with some “top-level supply chain systems” to build and develop “smart cities” that meet world-class requirements and specifications “through intelligent interconnection automobile products.” Other than Cummins, Foton did not name the other suppliers, but referred to them generally as the “China Intelligent Connected Super Truck Alliance.”

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