Cummins Inc. announced the production of the 2 millionth pickup engine for Chrysler Group LLC at its Columbus MidRange Engine Plant (CMEP). The 2012 6.7L in-line 6-cylinder High-Output Cummins Turbo Diesel produces 350 hp and 800 lb-ft of torque, and powers Ram 2500 and 3500 heavy-duty pickup trucks. It is also available in Ram 3500/4500/5500 chassis cabs.
"Today we get the opportunity to hang another banner in the plant," said Wayne Ripberger, General Manager - Pickup and Light Commercial Vehicle Engine Operations. "This milestone build is a significant achievement for us, and one that we are all very proud of. At Cummins, we take great pride in each and every engine we build - whether it's the first or the 2 millionth."
Banners have been hung to signify the following milestone builds:
1988: First engine to Chrysler
1998: 500,000 engines to Chrysler
2003: 1 million engines to Chrysler
2007: 1.5 million engines to Chrysler
2012: 2 million engines to Chrysler
The first Cummins Turbo Diesel engine was produced for Chrysler in 1988 at the Rocky Mount Engine Plant in Rocky Mount, N.C. The 5.9L 12V engine produced 160 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, and started the Cummins and Chrysler partnership.
"We've come a long way since 1988," said Mike Cockell, Ram HD Brand Manager. "We've made great improvements to the entire package, but there is one thing that has remained constant: proven Cummins power."
This historic engine will be one of the last MY2012 engines produced at CMEP before production is changed over to the new 2013 6.7L engine. To commemorate this milestone, the engine will be built with a special-edition red breather cover and valve cover.
"We're proud of our heritage with Cummins, and we're also excited about the 2013 Cummins Turbo Diesel-powered Ram trucks. We hope to be back here in a couple years celebrating the 2.5 millionth engine," said Cockell.
