Navistar and Cummins I don't think this Barons article is as bad as it appeared at first . On the Navistar side they are developing natgas engines in multiple sizes but are still offering the Cummins Westport engines . They may phase them out eventually but its not like they're a huge part of the business anyway . One of their own engines mentioned in their news release will be a 13 liter diesel ignited natgas engine available in mid 2013 . The news release is vague but its possible that they will be using Westport technology .
On the Cummins side they are developing a 15 liter highway heavy duty engine . They didn't state the horsepower or torque . The 15 l engine will be spark ignited and will not need the diesel ignition system like in the 12 liter Cummins Westport engine . The 5.9 liter to 12 liter Cummins Westport arrangement is continuing as is . Since the 15 liter engine is spark ignited it can't run at the same compression ratios as the diesel ignited Cummins Westport 12 liter . So while it may be cheaper than a Cummins Westport I don't think it will have the same fuel economy . Its making up for the lack of torque by increased displacement . So a customer still has to choose between a cheaper , less economical , larger displacement engine or a state of the art Cummins Westport .
In a way its validating the natgas fuelled truck business . And Navistar and Clean energy will be increasing the number of natgas fuelling stations . Westport always knew there would be competion and it has been mentioned in confernece calls that they are doing all they can to keep prices reasonable . I'd like to see a response form Demers on the developments of the last 2 months .
regards
G