Cummins Signs E-Agreement With KAMAZ

Cummins Inc. announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Russian vehicle manufacturer KAMAZ for the development of electrified power solutions for a new product line of KAMAZ battery-powered vehicles. No financial details were provided.

Currently, KAMAZ is developing a new electrified portfolio of battery-powered trucks and buses. At the same time, Cummins continues to expand its powertrain portfolio by developing electric power systems (fully electric and hybrid type) for commercial applications.

“Cummins has made strategic moves to bolster our Electrified Power Business,” said Tom Linebarger, Cummins chairman and CEO. “KAMAZ brings a proven electrified portfolio, which will broaden the range, and increase the reliability, of our electrified power systems as Cummins continues to bring the right solutions to our customers at the right time.”

This is the second significant collaboration between the two companies, as in 2006, they formed a 50-50 joint venture called Cummins KAMA, which was established to produce Cummins B Series 4.5 L engines up to 185 hp and 6.7 L diesels up to 300 hp. In 2017, the venture also began assembling 8.9 L ISL series engines up to 400 hp.

Overall, the Cummins-KAMAZ relationship dates from the 1980s, when Cummins Inc. top management team started business negotiations with KAMAZ. In 2004 KAMAZ developed and launched the serial production of the modern KAMAZ-4308 MR model truck powered by a Cummins engine.

Based on the long-term partnership of the companies, KAMAZ and Cummins agreed on collaboration aimed to create electrified-power trucks and buses. Cummins intends to develop and supply KAMAZ with high-voltage, fully electric powertrain prototypes for city buses and medium range delivery trucks. The MOU also provides for development and supply of the hybrid transmission prototype designed for KAMAZ heavy duty trucks.

“Today, our company is actively engaged in developing electrified-power cars and passenger transport. We seek the wide technical capabilities and potential of our long-standing partner, Cummins,” said Sergey Kogogin, KAMAZ CEO. “We see Cummins as an integral part in implementation of our new projects – there is the need in high-quality electric transmissions. Through joining our efforts in this field, we’ll be able to offer consumers a new high-technology product that will take sound position in the market.”

The prototypes will be tested on KAMAZ city buses, medium range delivery trucks and heavy-duty trucks. After tests, enhancement and certification, the partners will consider potential market size in the product segments and define perspective of their further cooperation.