The key model for the first time! Isuzu purchases truck engines from Cummins

According to foreign media reports, sources revealed that Isuzu Motors will outsource its diesel truck engine business to Cummins, an American engine supplier, and Isuzu will focus on research and development of emerging technologies.

(Image source: Cummins)

Sources said that the agreement will begin later this year and is expected to help Isuzu save tens of millions of dollars in research and development costs each year. Currently, global automakers are scrambling to develop vehicles that can meet increasingly stringent emission standards.

This agreement marks the first time Isuzu will use a third-party engine in its key truck models. The engine is a key component that determines the performance of a truck, so automakers usually produce their own engines.

The engines purchased from Cummins will be installed on medium-duty trucks that require high horsepower. At first, Cummins engines were installed on a small number of Isuzu cars. If this arrangement is really cost-effective, Isuzu will then increase the number of cars equipped with Cummins engines.

This year, these models will be launched in North America first, followed by Japan and other markets. Due to the different regulations and requirements of each market, companies need to adjust their engines accordingly, and Isuzu will be responsible for these adjustments.

The cooperation also includes that Isuzu supplies engines for Cummins small trucks, and Cummins is committed to the development of large engines for trucks and construction vehicles.

In fact, the two companies have been cooperating on next-generation low-emission engines since 2019. The latest agreement means that the two companies will expand the scope of cooperation to cover existing diesel engines. In fiscal year 2020 (as of March 2020), Isuzu sold approximately 290,000 trucks.

Compared with passenger cars, the development of electric trucks is relatively slow, but it is also an urgent task. Isuzu also has other next-generation technology partners. The company has cooperated with Volvo to develop fuel cell vehicles and with Honda to develop autonomous driving technology.