While the spotlight was on its combustion technology at its stand at IAA Transportation 2024 – held between 17-22 September in Hanover, Germany – American powertrain manufacturer Cummins Inc also had a lot to say about its alternative offerings, now grouped under the name of ‘Accelera’. Informally, the Accelera brand covers all “the electric stuff”, while the legacy engine components, together with the non-electric axle, braking, and suspension products acquired from Meritor, retain the Cummins name. However, Cummins envisages that, eventually, the “electric stuff” will become the core of its business.

The truck – a Peterbilt Model 579 – featured a Cummins ‘X15H’ engine, providing up to 500 horsepower (372 kW) and up to 1,900 lb-ft torque.

The brand organises a disparate set of different business operations which relate to transport and industry decarbonisation, including: fuel cell and battery manufacturing; electric powertrain products; and electrolysers for producing green hydrogen.

The 17Xe ePowertrain, which is being tested in an Electra truck, is the result of a collaborative effort between Meritor and Danfoss Editron.

The acquisition, first proposed earlier this year by Meritor, was completed for a sum of approximately EUR 190m.

Meritor announced that in May this year it opened a new purpose-built test chamber for heavy-duty electric powertrains and drivetrain development at its brake manufacturing and global disc brake research facility in Cwmbran, UK.

The engine manufacturer has taken over the axle and brake specialist for a sum of USD3.7bn.

The ProTec Independent Front Suspension, which has a gross axle weight rating of up to 20,000 lbs and twin tube performance dampers, is the first Meritor has designed specifically for the ride quality and heavy load requirements of coaches. 

The American firm has announced its intention to acquire the commercial vehicle division of Siemens - manufacturing motors and inverters for electric vehicles - for approximately USD190m in cash, with the sale expected to occur by the end of the year.

According to Meritor, the PCAS will provide intelligent control over electric powertrain sub-systems and accessories, allowing for the entire electric drivetrain to be fine tuned in order to balance performance, efficiency and range.

Truck builder Acela Inc, based in Bozeman, Montana, has released a new 4x4 fire truck chassis, named the Straya. The company claims it is the first ever purpose-built wildland/urban fire truck chassis.

Meritor will supply the flatbed trailer manufacturer with MTA and MTA-Tec6 suspensions as well as disc brakes and Tire Inflation Systems over the next three years.