Cummins Acquires Electric Drivetrains, Maker of Hybrid, Electric Solutions
Cummins Inc. is acquiring Silicon Valley-based Efficient Drivetrains Inc., which designs and produces hybrid and fully electric power solutions for commercial markets. Adding EDI to the Cummins portfolio is the latest step forward in Cummins' efforts to become a global electrified power leader.
"As power needs and technologies continue to evolve, Cummins remains committed to innovations that will deliver the right power solutiojns for the right applications at the right time to help our customers' success," said Tom Linebarger, chairman and CEO, Cummins Inc. "This acquisition will combine EDI's talented workforce and electrification capabilities with Cummins' expertise in developing and manufacturing the technologies that power the world.”
Cummins began developing its electrification capabilities more than a decade ago. During the past nine months, it accelerated investment in this business when it undertook strategic efforts to build capabilities across the entire range of electric storage, as evidenced by its acquisitions of U.K.-based Johnson Matthey Battery Systems and North America’s Brammo. Upon the addition of its fully electric and unique four-mode hybrid powertrains, EDI will broaden Cummins’ electrification expertise and products. EDI’s hybrid system can switch in real time between fully electric, series and parallel modes.
“As the industry continues to evolve and OEMs move to include hybrid and electric technologies in their vehicle offerings, the combination of Cummins and EDI represents a tremendous opportunity for growth and category leadership,” said Joerg Ferchau, EDI’s chairman and CEO. “EDI’s advanced portfolio of plug-in-hybrid and full electric technologies paired with Cummins’ industry leadership and focus on innovation will allow us to deliver best-in-class products, service and support worldwide. Vehicle OEMs and fleets evaluating new electric and hybrid technologies prefer to work with well-established new companies that have the depth and resources to provide the support that’s needed to scale into high volume mass production. Together we can lead the electrification category, and provide exciting new options that the market will embrace."
The acquisition is expected to close in the third quarter.
About the Author
Michael Roth
Editor
Michael Roth has covered the equipment rental industry full time for RER since 1989 and has served as the magazine’s editor in chief since 1994. He has nearly 30 years experience as a professional journalist. Roth has visited hundreds of rental centers and industry manufacturers, written hundreds of feature stories for RER and thousands of news stories for the magazine and its electronic newsletter RER Reports. Roth has interviewed leading executives for most of the industry’s largest rental companies and manufacturers as well as hundreds of smaller independent companies. He has visited with and reported on rental companies and manufacturers in Europe, Central America and Asia as well as Mexico, Canada and the United States. Roth was co-founder of RER Reports, the industry’s first weekly newsletter, which began as a fax newsletter in 1996, and later became an online newsletter. Roth has spoken at conventions sponsored by the American Rental Association, Associated Equipment Distributors, California Rental Association and other industry events and has spoken before industry groups in several countries. He lives and works in Los Angeles when he’s not traveling to cover industry events.