Contact: nicholas.smith@daimler.com

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Nov. 8, 2016 – Thomas Built Buses gave the pupil transportation industry its first glimpse of the new Detroit™ DD5™ engine, equipped with Detroit Connect Virtual Technician^SM at the NAPT Annual Summit in Kansas City, Missouri. The DD5 is the latest in medium-duty engine technology combined with the most advanced connectivity platform in the industry.

“The Detroit DD5 medium-duty engine, as well as the upcoming Detroit™  DD8™ engine, will provide exceptional fuel efficiency, power, proven performance and reliability as well as the lowest total cost of ownership,” said Caley Edgerly, president and CEO of Thomas Built Buses. “The global medium-duty engine platform that the DD5 is based on uses innovative technology such as variable exhaust cam phasing, which allows additional heat to the exhaust stream. This enables efficient operation of the aftertreatment system in low speed stop and go operations, which is a real benefit in our industry. We are proud to be able to bring this level of technology and innovation to the pupil transportation industry and to provide a new solution for our customers who know and love diesel.”

Designed to last and to provide the lowest total cost of ownership, the DD5 and DD8 engines were developed in an uncompromising manner for environmental friendliness, economy and performance.

Both engines offer best-in-class fuel economy and reliability with a B10 life of 400,000 miles. They also come with top load oil and fuel filters for easier serviceability and boast the longest service intervals in its class with up to 45,000-mile oil and fuel filter change intervals for short haul applications.  Both engines meet 2017 Greenhouse Gas (GHG17) standards.

The DD5 and DD8 engines will also be equipped with Detroit Connect Virtual Technician remote diagnostics service, which will provide the most in-depth and advanced engine diagnostics and intelligence in the industry. Through this state-of-the-art system, fault code details are relayed to the fleet via email or notification via the Detroit Connect portal. Critical faults are sent the Detroit Customer Support Center, where an expert analyzes the fault event further, and provides additional detail to the fleet. Within minutes, the fleet knows the cause of the code, the level of severity and recommendations for fault resolution and the parts to fix the problem.   

“The level of intelligence that Detroit Connect Virtual Technician will bring to fleets is a game-changer,” said Edgerly. “As a fleet manager, you can expect that this system will make your buses easier to maintain, more cost-effective to service and keep your fleet running at maximum uptime. Plus, it will make you look a whole lot smarter and make your job ten times easier.”

The Detroit DD5 engine, which will equip the popular Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner® C2, and the Detroit DD8 engine, suited for the Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner® HDX, will be available for order in 2018. Start of production for both products with the Detroit engines will take place later that year.

For more information, visit www.thomasbus.com or www.DemandDetroit.com or speak with your local dealer.

About Thomas Built Buses

Founded in 1916, Thomas Built Buses is a leading manufacturer of school buses in North America. Since the first Thomas Built bus rolled off the assembly line, the company has been committed to delivering the smartest and most innovative buses in North America. Learn more at www.thomasbus.com or at www.facebook.com/thomasbuiltbuses.

Thomas Built Buses, Inc., headquartered in High Point, N.C., is a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America LLC, the largest heavy-duty truck manufacturer in North America and a leading manufacturer of class 4-8 vehicles. Daimler Trucks North America produces and markets commercial vehicles under the Freightliner, Western Star and Thomas Built Buses nameplates. Daimler Trucks North America is a Daimler company.

About Daimler Trucks North America

Daimler Trucks North America LLC, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, is the leading heavy-duty truck manufacturer in North America. Daimler Trucks North America produces and markets commercial vehicles under the Freightliner, Western Star and Thomas Built Buses nameplates. Daimler Trucks North America is a Daimler company, the world’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer.

About Detroit
Detroit offers a complete line of medium and heavy-duty diesel engines, axles, transmissions, safety systems and connected vehicle services  for the commercial transportation industry in both the on-highway and vocational markets. Detroit™ products are sold and serviced through a network of hundreds of locations throughout North America. For more information, or to locate the nearest Detroit location, visit DemandDetroit.com. Detroit™ is a brand of Detroit Diesel Corporation, a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America LLC.