Cummins upgrades China's local R&D capabilities

“The improvement of local R&D capabilities is Cummins’s established strategy. It is a foundation for Cummins to develop products that meet the needs of the market. How to emphasize its importance is not excessive.” On October 18, Cummins Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Su Zhiqiang said so.

On this day, the ceremony for the second phase of the expansion project of the Cummins East Asia Research and Development Center was held in Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Zone. On the same day, Cummins and Dongfeng Motor Corporation celebrated the 25th anniversary of their cooperation in Wuhan. For Cummins, who has been working in the Chinese market for more than 30 years, he has already deeply realized the importance of the Chinese auto market, recognized the importance of Chinese partners, and realized the importance of local research and development.

Five years ago, at the 20th anniversary of the cooperation between Cummins and Dongfeng Motor, the Cummins East Asia Research and Development Center was officially completed in Wuhan. This is the 17th technology center Cummins has built in the world and the first engine R&D center established by a foreign engine company in China. At that time, the development of localization of multinational companies in China had only just begun.

Hua Qiang, vice president and chief technology officer of Cummins, explained that Cummins East Asia Research and Development Center since its inception in 2006, the cumulative investment in five years reached 61 million US dollars, of which the second phase of the project total investment of 33 million US dollars. The R & D center uses Cummins globally universal tools, equipment and technical standards, has passed ISO9001, 14001 and 19001 quality, health and safety environment certification. After the completion of the second phase of the project, it will support the development of all Cummins engines from 2.8 to 19 litres. Its products are widely used in markets such as automobiles, construction machinery, generator sets and ship engines.

After visiting the Cummins East Asia Research and Development Center, the reporter found that the R&D center currently has 10 engine test benches that can support the Euro III standard and off-road vehicle engine phase 3 emission tests. Heavy-duty engine benches can be used for emissions certification in Europe, Russia, South Korea, Singapore, Australia, and Brazil, providing a pass for Chinese hosts to enter the international market.

In addition, Cummins East Asia R&D Center will also build a mid-size power emission test system in 2012 and 2013 respectively. The second phase of the project will total 22 test benches and will be put into use in the first quarter of 2012. By then, it will be able to have the fourth-phase emissions testing capability for Euro VI and non-road vehicle engines, with industry-leading technologies such as new energy, noise and vibration, cold start, and generator set testing capabilities. Among them, the New Energy Laboratory can realize the research and development from the new energy power drive system to parts and components (including motors, battery packs, battery management systems, etc.). The vibration and noise laboratory will have the ability to include exhaust after-treatment systems and engine noise testing to effectively increase laboratory utilization.

Cummins East Asia R&D Center pays great attention to its own energy-saving and emission reduction while developing clean power: All 11 new engine test bench dynamometers use AC dynamometers. When the engine is running, the power generated by the AC dynamometer is delivered. To the power station, when the engine is running at full load, it will save 15% of the electricity. Engine exhaust heat energy is recycled to the water heating system, saving natural gas consumption. The second phase of the building itself maximizes the use of natural light, thereby improving the environment of the bench test area and saving energy. The R&D center also uses a wastewater separator to perform special treatment of all wastewater.

Su Zhiqiang said that the commissioning of the second phase of the East Asia R&D center will greatly enhance Cummins’ local R&D capabilities, and the improvement of research and development capabilities will bring more benefits to Chinese customers. “We have the best engineering R&D team in the world. They will work across borders and work together to enable Cummins to develop products that are more in line with the Chinese market and ensure that Chinese customers can get faster and better service. Accelerate and improve this process."

The five-year development history of Cummins East Asia R&D Center not only witnessed the improvement of localized research and development capabilities, but also marked the continuous deepening of the cooperation between Cummins and the Chinese OEMs represented by Dongfeng Motor.

On the evening of the 18th, Cummings and Dongfeng Motor celebrated the 25th anniversary of their cooperation in Wuhan. At the ceremony, Zhu Fushou, general manager of Dongfeng Motor Co., Ltd., said: "The cooperation between Dongfeng Motor and Cummins is a win-win result. Cummins advanced power technology and Dongfeng Motor's excellent products match perfectly and are favored by end customers through Dongfeng Motor's products. Cummins' brand is also well-known in the Chinese automotive industry."

Lan Bowen, president and chief operating officer of Cummins Inc., said: “Mutual benefit, seeking common ground while reserving differences, advancing with the times, and helping each other in the same boat are the measurement standards for a successful partnership. Dongfeng Motors is one of the most important partners of Cummins globally. Established a perfect model for a successful joint venture partnership."

Currently, Cummins has four joint venture power companies in China, namely Dongfeng Cummins, Xi'an Cummins, Foton Cummins and Chongqing Cummins. The improvement of local R&D capabilities will provide support for the development of Cummins China JV and provide guarantee for Cummins’ continued rapid development in China. "The future development of Cummins will mainly rely on the performance of the international market including the Chinese market." Su Zhiqiang said.