Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America announced Thursday that Freightliner Trucks will offer Mitsubishi’s heavy-duty planetary gear reduction drive starter on every 2003 Class 8 vehicle
the truckmaker manufactures, beginning immediately.
Mitsubishi Electric introduced the durable, compact planetary gear heavy-duty starter in 1998, giving customers an alternative to the much larger and heavier direct-drive technology developed more than eight decades 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," said David Stone, Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America’s executive director of powertrain, body and chassis.
"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," said Mark Seagren, Freightliner senior general purchasing agent.
The planetary gear reduction drive heavy-duty starter provides customers with the following enhancements:
-- Superior reliability with less than 1% failure rate over three years
-- A B-10 life of 500,000 miles
-- Mitsubishi Electric starters are 52% lighter than the starters previously used in the North American market, reducing overall vehicle weight
-- Provides more flexibility in engine compartment design and easier installation
-- Superior starting power and greater cold-start capability.
-- Decreases vehicle start-up missed engagements by minimizing ring gear milling and pinion damage
-- 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.