Daimler Trucks Invests $375M at Redford Facility, Plans to Add 160 New Jobs

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Daimler Trucks North America LLC in Detroit today announced a $375 million investment in its manufacturing facility in Redford Township to enable the production of the new DD5 and DD8 medium duty engines. Gov. Rick Snyder, local officials, and nearly 2,000 UAW workers were on hand for the announcement.

“Michigan has long-been the world’s automotive leader and we are proud that Daimler will continue to play a big role in our state’s reinvention moving forward,” Gov. Snyder says. “This is an investment in Detroit and the hardworking people of Michigan.”

Martin Daum, president and CEO of Daimler Trucks North America, says the new engine lines will add about 160 new jobs, with full production of the engines expected at its Redford facility by the end of 2018. He says select Daimler Truck North America vehicles will be available with medium duty power engines by the end of 2016. The engines will be initially built and shipped from Daimler’s powertrain facility in Germany.

Daimler Trucks also announced the start of production on the company’s automated manual transmission, the DT12, at the Redford facility.

“…(This) powertrain creates unmatched value for our customers, providing the most fuel efficient, most sought after Freightliner and Western Star trucks,” says Wolfgang Bernhard, a member of the Daimler AG board of management responsible for trucks and buses.

Bernhard says the DT12 offers the operational ease of an automatic with the efficiency of a manual transmission, resulting in enhanced fuel economy, vehicle performance, and safety. The addition of the DT12 automated manual transmission and related assembly represents an investment of $100 million and resulted in the addition of 170 new jobs.

Bernhard says DT12 maximizes fuel efficiency for line-haul and long haul operations. The 12-speed, automated manual transmission combines a traditional manual gearbox with high-speed, computer-controlled shift and clutch actuators. Additional advantages for the driver include a two-pedal system and a kick-down feature that improves vehicle acceleration when needed.

Daimler Trucks North America, headquartered in Portland, Ore. sells the products through a network of more than 800 locations throughout North America.