We've just finished about an eight week tour around the engine business putting together many of the stories that appear in this issue, as well as our sister publication Diesel Progress International.
The reason, of course, is the Bauma show in Germany which some see as equipment exhibition, but which this time will be the engine show of all time.
The door is opening on Tier 3/Stage 3a, and a lot of that will be coming out of the closet at Bauma.
With superb cooperation from most of the world's major diesel builders, the pages that follow should give you a pretty clear picture of what's ahead for industrial engines.
It's a little different from what we normally do, which is generally more products that are in production. This is a look at what's (just) ahead.
The level of financial investment to make this all happen is huge. But it also makes sense. Investment hates uncertainty: Now, the technology path is clearer, if not clear. With a clearer path and a desire to stay in the business, dollars, euros, pounds and yen have been invested. A bunch of them.
The surprise was hearing that the additional costs of applying emissions-era engines is going to come directly out of what OEMs pay for hydraulics, electronics, filtration, silencers, cooling and all the rest.
Nothing is flee.
There is a challenge out there to engine and equipment manufacturers to play their role in cleaning up the world's air. The environmentalists and regulators have had their say. Now comes the real work.
That's the best part of it. There is an air of excitement and enthusiasm around the engine and powertrain business right now. The competitive juices are flowing. Challenges are out there. Goals are being met. Products are being developed. People are making things happen
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