On July 10th, the launch ceremony of all new products under the F-series third-generation technology platform of Foton Cummins and the roll-off ceremony of the 2 millionth light-duty power engine was held at the Foton Cummins factory in Beijing. Ren Haoxiang, President of China Logistics Association; Wu Xibin, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and General Manager of BAIC Foton; Wang Kaijun, Vice President of Cummins Global and General Manager of Engine Business Unit China; Chen Jian, General Manager of Foton Cummins; Gong Shihua, Deputy General Manager of Foton Cummins, as well as representatives from multiple OEMs, core users, and industry media, jointly witnessed this historic dual milestone moment.
From 0 to 2 Million: Witnessing the “Foton Cummins Speed” in China’s Power Market
The Foton Cummins F-series engine is Cummins’ first global light-duty engine. At that time, China’s light commercial vehicles were in need of innovation driven by advanced light-duty power. Foton Cummins directly introduced the F-platform developed by Cummins’ global R&D system, which was jointly developed by Cummins’ R&D teams in the United States, Europe, and China, and deeply integrated with BAIC Foton’s vehicle design concepts, making the product both globally leading and locally adaptable. Once launched, it quickly became a benchmark for light commercial vehicle power in China. It can be said that this engine has grown together with Foton Cummins.
Mr. Ren Haoxiang, President of China Logistics Association, talked about the important role of Foton Cummins in the industry. Regarding products, President Ren said: “The F-series third-generation technology platform released by Foton Cummins this time has not only achieved a leap in platformization and modularization in the light-duty power field but also, starting from the engine’s full life cycle and intelligent interconnected data system, has undergone systematic iterations in green low-carbon, cost reduction and efficiency improvement, intelligent operation and maintenance, and full-process visual services. It can better meet the core demands of segmented industries for ‘full-scenario operation and full-cycle guarantee’.”
When talking about Foton Cummins’ lighthouse factory, President Ren praised: “The lighthouse factory has not only driven the improvement of the enterprise’s own efficiency and quality but also provided experience and demonstration for the intelligent upgrading of China’s manufacturing industry, especially the equipment manufacturing industry.”
Wu Xibin, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and General Manager of BAIC Foton, mentioned in his introduction of the Foton Cummins F-series third-generation platform: “The F-series third-generation platform we are about to launch today fully absorbs the experience of global users, combines 2 billion kilometers of driving data and 2 million customer insights, and is developed customized according to user scenarios. I believe it will also bring more surprises to customers.”
Since the first F3.8 engine was successfully ignited in Darlington, UK in 2006 and officially mass-produced in 2009, Foton Cummins F-series engines have continued to develop, subsequently launching 2.5L, 2.8L, 3.0L, 4.5L and other models, and continuously setting industry records: achieving annual sales of 100,000 units in 4 years, reaching the first 1 million units in 9 years, and now the second 1 million units have been achieved in only 7 years. Behind this exponential growth is Foton Cummins’ forward-looking grasp of the transformation of key application industries including logistics.
Wang Kaijun, Cummins Global Vice President and General Manager of Engine Business Unit China
Wang Kaijun, Cummins Global Vice President and General Manager of Engine Business Unit China, talked about the development of the F platform: “We not only fully drew on mature experience from global markets but also closely followed changes in the Chinese market and diverse customer needs, continuing to innovate. After three iterations, the F-series engines produced by Foton Cummins have sold well globally with excellent performance, achieving sales of 2 million units and creating a legend of being a ‘mythical engine’.”
Chen Jian, General Manager of Foton Cummins, introduced: “Up to now, Foton Cummins has provided a total of 2 million F-series engines to global customers, and more than 300 OEMs worldwide have chosen Foton Cummins F-series engines. Reputations such as ‘Foton Cummins F-series engines have low fuel consumption’ and ‘high reliability, low fuel consumption’ are widely praised among users, and there have emerged many users whose engines have operated over one million kilometers without major overhauls.”
The excellent reputation among users is inseparable from the principles that Foton Cummins has always adhered to. Gong Shihua, Deputy General Manager of Foton Cummins, said: “Foton Cummins practices ‘customer-centricity’, adhering to long-termism, persisting in doing difficult but correct things, and keeping up with every small task. In terms of product exports, Mr. Gong introduced: “Foton Cummins has also established a Thai branch, which can produce the full range of Foton Cummins products, serving as a strong support for Chinese OEMs’ overseas strategies. Currently, export business accounts for about 44% of Foton Cummins’ business, and we will strive to increase this proportion to 60% in the next few years.”
Third-Generation Technology Platform: Building a “Full-Scenario Power Solution”
Currently, China’s logistics industry is in a critical stage of transformation and upgrading, and the power equipment industry is facing unprecedented opportunities for change. Under the background of “dual carbon”, green transformation has become a must-answer question for all links of the industrial chain; at the same time, digital technologies represented by 5G, the Internet of Things, and big data are reconstructing the operation paradigm of traditional logistics. In this context, modern power systems are undergoing value reshaping – evolving from simply providing mechanical power to an integrated solution that integrates “efficient operation enabler, intelligent service connector, data value creator, and green development practitioner”. The launch of Foton Cummins F-series third-generation technology platform marks a strategic transformation from a single engine to a “full-scenario power solution”.
The new-generation F platform is developed based on 2 billion kilometers of global driving data and 2 million units of market verification, deeply integrating three core advantages:
Strategic upgrading from a single product to a system solution:
- The first generation focused on reliability and fuel efficiency, building a full displacement matrix of F2.5-F4.5, laying the foundation for multi-scenario adaptation;
- The second generation broke through power boundaries, achieving diversified matching with AMT transmissions and new energy systems;
- The third generation forms a “power chain + intelligent networking” system ecosystem, accurately enabling full scenarios.
The third-generation technology platform pursues technological innovation, adopting a 2000bar ultra-high pressure common rail fuel system, combined with Cummins combustion optimization and 4-valve vertical central injection design, improving combustion efficiency, optimizing atomization uniformity, and achieving a combined vehicle fuel saving rate of up to 15%. The power cylinder features a new design, with a variable flow oil pump paired with an intelligent fuel consumption management system, achieving a total fuel saving of 15%. The two pre-injection technologies optimize NVH, enhancing driving comfort.
Application innovations for segmented scenarios are particularly prominent: Foton Cummins F3.0 refrigerated truck is equipped with dedicated configurations; Foton Cummins F2.5 VGT version has no torque limitation at 3500 meters; Foton Cummins F2.5 Van saves 7.7%-9.9% fuel compared to Foton Cummins F2.8 Van in the CHTC cycle, with an additional 1% fuel saving from the decoupler. Turbocharger noise reduction and power chain system integration optimization further enhance product competitiveness.
2 Million Units Milestone: Adhering to User-Centered Value
At the event, the 2 millionth Foton Cummins F-series light-duty engine officially rolled off the production line, becoming the focus of the audience. The precise temperature and exclusive serial number on the engine block not only witness Foton Cummins’ manufacturing strength but also embody the trust and support of 2 million users.
As the nameplate of the 2 millionth engine gradually became clear through laser engraving, the number of users of Foton Cummins F-series light-duty engines exceeded 2 million, reaching a new level. To repay users’ long-term support, Foton Cummins announced the establishment of the “Foton Cummins Million-Mile Hero League”. Users whose engines have operated over one million kilometers without major overhauls can join and enjoy an exclusive rights and interests system. The first batch of members took the stage to receive their plaques, including user Ke Yong, who has a record of 2.06 million kilometers without major overhauls. Their stories vividly illustrate the reliability of Foton Cummins products.
From the initial trust and choice to the stable companionship in years of cooperation, 5 user representatives shared their experiences of growing together with Foton Cummins. The real operation stories made the guests at the event deeply feel Foton Cummins’ brand commitment of “accompanying every kilometer”.
Foton Cummins also made commitments to users at the event:
- Fully cooperate with OEM customers, leverage the advantages of intelligent manufacturing in the global lighthouse factory, maintain the high reliability advantages of the F-series, build high-end power with excellent quality and leading performance, and empower customers with higher value;
- Continuously focus on end users, utilize the advantages of digital platforms such as AI, big data, and the Internet of Vehicles, give full play to the integration effect of the super power chain and PDIC platform, and do a good job in comprehensively optimized application matching and development;
- Continuously focus on iterative innovation, leverage advantages in digitalization and intelligence, use big data analysis and intelligent real-time monitoring to provide users with accurate operation suggestions, achieve efficient attendance, continuously reduce TCO, and help customers obtain greater benefits.
Global Collaborative Layout, New Ecology of Green Power
The achievement of the dual milestones is the result of Foton Cummins’ deep cultivation in the industry, diligence, and unremitting efforts. Since its establishment, Foton Cummins has shown a forward-looking market layout, starting from light-duty products initially, and now achieving full coverage of 2.5L-15L full-series diesel and natural gas products, which are widely used in on-road and off-road fields, providing strong power for the development of various industries. In the field of intelligent manufacturing, Foton Cummins has taken the lead, being awarded the title of Global Lighthouse Factory, and always adhering to the development strategy of balancing domestic and overseas markets, leading industrial quality improvement and upgrading with excellent manufacturing technology.
Facing the green transformation of the logistics industry, Foton Cummins has built a three-dimensional strategic system of fuel diversification, manufacturing globalization, and service digitalization with forward-looking vision and innovation, leading the trend of green development. When the cumulative mileage of 2 million engines can circle the Earth’s equator 500 times, this light-duty power brand forged by the Chinese market has become a benchmark in the global light commercial vehicle market; and the mass production of the third-generation technology platform has become a new business card for China’s high-end power manufacturing to go global. Driven by both green power and intelligent interconnection, Foton Cummins is accelerating towards the next million-unit goal.
