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Freightliner Offers Mitsubishi Electric Heavy-Duty Starters on all Class 8 Vehicles
Northville Township, Mich., June 9, 2003 — Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America today announced Freightliner Trucks will offer Mitsubishi’s heavy-duty planetary gear reduction drive starter on every 2003 Class 8 vehicle (tractor/trailer) the truckmaker manufactures, beginning immediately.
Mitsubishi Electric was first to the North American market with the more durable, compact planetary gear heavy-duty starter in 1998, giving customers an alternative to the much larger and heavier direct-drive technology developed over 80 years ago. MEAA began supplying the new starter to Freightliner Trucks in 2000 and expects 2003 sales to more than double those of 2002.
“To my knowledge, this is the first time that a truck manufacturer has moved so quickly to make one supplier’s product available across the board,” says David Stone, Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America executive director, powertrain, body and chassis. “The superior features of this starter make it hard to beat.”
“We chose Mitsubishi Electric’s heavy-duty starter because of its proven reliability and technology enhancements, specifically the low failure rate and the lightweight and compact design,” says Mark Seagren, Freightliner LLC senior general purchasing agent.
Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America is part of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation of Japan, which has been a diversified designer and manufacturer of electric and electronic products for over 80 years. The planetary gear reduction drive heavy-duty starter provides customers with the following enhancements over competing starters:
Superior reliability – Less than 1 percent failure rate over 3 years
Long life - B-10 life of 500,000 miles
Light weight – Mitsubishi Electric starters are 52 percent lighter than the starters previously used in the North American market, reducing overall vehicle weight which contributes to improved fuel economy
Compact motor design – Provides more flexibility in engine compartment design and easier installation
High torque – For superior starting power and greatest cold-start capability.
Soft start – Decreases vehicle start-up mis-engagements by minimizing ring gear milling and pinion damage
Nose-less structure –Reduces the entrance of moisture and debris
The starter will be used on trucks built at Freightliner plants in Cleveland, N.C., Portland, Ore., and St. Thomas, Canada. The starters were designed and are built at Mitsubishi Electric’s Himeji Works facility in Himeji, Japan.
About Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America
Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America, a U.S. subsidiary of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, was established in 1979 in response to the continued growth of the North American automotive business, particularly for electronics. MEAA offers all aspects of engineering, manufacturing, sales and marketing, distribution and service of electrical and electronic systems and components for automobile manufacturers and industrial engine manufacturers. MEAA has close to $650 million in annual sales and 900 employees in North America. For more information about Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America, visit www.meaa-mea.com.
About Mitsubishi Electric
With over 80 years of experience in providing reliable, high-quality products to both corporate clients and general consumers all over the world, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TSE: 6503) is a recognized world leader in the manufacture, marketing and sales of electrical and electronic equipment used in information processing and communications, space development and satellite communications, consumer electronics, industrial technology, energy, transportation and building equipment. The company has operations in 35 countries and recorded consolidated group sales of 3,639 billion yen (US$30.3 billion*) in the year ended March 31, 2003. For more information about Mitsubishi Electric, visit http://global.mitsubishielectric.com
*At an exchange rate of 120 yen to the US dollar, the rate given by the Tokyo Foreign Exchange Market on March 31, 2003.
About Freightliner Trucks
Freightliner Trucks is a division of Freightliner LLC, headquartered in Portland, Ore., and is the leading heavy-duty truck manufacturer in North America. Freightliner Trucks produces and markets Class 5-8 vehicles and is a company of DaimlerChrysler, the world’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer.
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