Detroit Diesel History

Detroit Diesel Through the Years

The Detroit Diesel history began in 1938, just as World War II was heating up. That year, General Motors formed the GM Diesel Division — the ancestor to Detroit Diesel. The needs of tanks, landing craft, road building equipment and standby generators meant our first engines had to be compact, lightweight, two-cycle products. It was during this epic time that a tradition of strength, quality and dependability was born.

1950's

Soon, the war had ended, and GM Diesel recognized the growing opportunity in the on-highway truck market. The company began developing heavy-duty engines to meet these commercial needs, and in 1957 introduced the Series 53 and Series 71 engines for both on-highway and off-road use.

1960's

Meanwhile, in the late 1950's and 1960's, GM Diesel also began to focus on developing a worldwide distribution network of independent, authorized distributors and dealers to provide parts and service.

In 1965, GM Diesel became Detroit Diesel Engine Division. Then, just five years later, General Motors consolidated the company with the closely allied transmission and gas turbine businesses of the Allison Division — forming the Detroit Diesel Allison Division. For the next 20 years, the Detroit Diesel Allison Division grew.

1987

In 1987, the Series 60^® — the four-cycle heavy-duty engine that would become the signature of Detroit Diesel — was introduced as the first production engine with integrated electronic controls as a standard feature. The Series 60 was developed to meet the demand for cleaner and more fuel-efficient heavy-duty engines, and quickly become the most popular, heavy-duty diesel engine in the North American Class 8 truck market.

1988

On January 1, 1988, a joint venture between Penske Corporation and General Motors created Detroit Diesel, the successor to the heavy-duty diesel engine business of the Detroit Diesel Allison Division.

1993

In October 1993, Detroit Diesel had grown in on-highway heavy-duty market share to 33% from 3% only a few years earlier. The company also completed a successful initial public offering of common stock, becoming a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the stock symbol "DDC."

2000

By 2000, Detroit Diesel was a dynamic and noted company — both within the trucking industry, and the investment community. In October, DaimlerChrysler, the world's leading manufacturer of heavy-duty diesel truck engines, completed a tender offer for all outstanding shares of Detroit Diesel, including the 48.6% ownership interest of Penske Corporation.

Following the acquisition, DaimlerChrysler consolidated various engine and other powertrain component activities (including Detroit Diesel and Mercedes-Benz industrial engines) into the Commercial Vehicle Division under a new business unit named DaimlerChrysler Powersystems. The new company brought together more than 34,000 employees and combined revenues of approximately $7 billion.

Present

Today, Detroit Diesel is a subsidiary of Daimler — designing, manufacturing, selling and servicing a complete line of medium and heavy-duty diesel and alternative fuel engines for the commercial vehicle market. With a worldwide network of more than 800 authorized distributor and dealer locations, Detroit Diesel has become a global leader in the diesel engine industry. Read the Fast Facts to learn more.