Truck Tech 2.21: Detroit rolls out Gen 6 engine portfolio for Freightliner and Western Star trucks

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Detroit rolls out Gen 6 engine portfolio for Freightliner and Western Star trucks

(Photo: South Turk/FreightWaves)

DETROIT — Daimler Truck North America’s Detroit powertrain brand unveiled its Gen 6 heavy-duty engine portfolio Thursday.

Engineers showed the updated DD13, DD15 and DD16 engines earlier that week at the company’s manufacturing facility in Redford Township, Michigan.

Detroit designed the lineup to meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s strict 2027 emissions standards. Executives also say the changes bring meaningful fuel-efficiency gains for fleets working through the longest freight recession on record.

Fleets are holding equipment longer than normal trade cycles. They watch every capital dollar. As a result, the value question becomes especially important right now.

“At a moment in the marketplace where customers are particularly focused on value, their capital, where they utilize their capital, then the next decisions about stepping into 2027 are really focused on what do I get on my investment? Is it just an emissions change, or is there more value there?” said David Carson, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Daimler Truck North America. “There’s a tremendous amount of value in this product.”

The engines will be available for all heavy-duty Freightliner and Western Star trucks. DD13 and DD15 will be available beginning in January 2027, with Gen 6 DD16 production following in January 2028.

Read the full story here.

Kodiak AI Expands Defense Vertical with New Leadership and Marine Corps Contract

(Photo: Kodiak Defense)

Kodiak AI is deepening its commitment to the defense sector with two major announcements this month: a new contract with the U.S. Marine Corps and the appointment of a seasoned defense executive to lead its military business unit. The Mountain View, Calif.-based autonomous vehicle technology company is positioning its dual-use Kodiak Driver system as a scalable solution for both commercial trucking and national security applications.

New Leadership Takes the Helm

On Feb. 18, 2026, Kodiak named Chet Gryczan as Vice President and Managing Director of Defense. Gryczan brings more than 20 years of experience building defense and automotive programs. He most recently served as President of Detroit Defense, where he scaled the business from a pre-profit startup into a $157 million annual revenue enterprise with over 230 employees across 30 sites. He also played a key role in securing a $500 million Congressional modernization program.

“Chet understands how to build a durable defense business, combining operational credibility and deep customer trust with financial discipline,” said Don Burnette, Founder and CEO of Kodiak.

Marine Corps Contract Advances Military Capabilities

One week earlier, the Marine Corps awarded Kodiak a contract to integrate its AI-powered autonomous system into the Remotely Operated Ground Unit for Expeditionary Fires (ROGUE-Fires) carrier ground vehicle. The platform supports distributed maritime operations and expeditionary force projection in the Indo-Pacific region.

Kodiak’s defense credentials include a 2022 U.S. Army contract worth approximately $30 million for the Robotic Combat Vehicle program. The company has completed real-world autonomous testing in California grasslands, Texas deserts and Michigan snow.

Commercially, the Kodiak Driver currently operates driverless trucks for Atlas Energy Solutions in the Permian Basin of West Texas and eastern New Mexico.

DOT Proposes 100 Percent Domestic Content Requirement for Federally Funded EV Chargers

(Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy unveiled a proposal on Feb. 10 to expand Buy America requirements for electric vehicle chargers. This expansion raises the required domestic content from 55 percent to 100 percent for all federally funded projects. The change aims to strengthen domestic manufacturing, generate American jobs and address national security vulnerabilities in charging infrastructure.

The proposal modifies a Buy America public interest waiver originally published in the Federal Register on Feb. 21, 2023. Under the updated requirements, EV chargers must be manufactured in the United States, with up to 100 percent of component costs sourced domestically. Once the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) finalizes the waiver, requirements will apply immediately to acquisition and installation phases.

“Biden and Buttigieg talked a big game, but their miserably designed program failed to deliver EV chargers and promote domestic manufacturing,” Duffy said. “Now we’re ensuring that if Congress wants to see these chargers built, we put America First.”

The administration cited cybersecurity vulnerabilities in foreign-made components as a key driver behind the policy shift. FHWA Administrator Sean McMaster emphasized the focus on supply chain stability, noting that “the Trump Administration is committed to boosting America’s industrial base to secure the long-term strength and stability of critical supply chains.”

The proposal follows revised guidance for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program released in August, which aimed to streamline charging station deployment. Administration officials assert that manufacturers have had sufficient time to develop domestic production capacity.

For fleet executives utilizing federal funds, these requirements may reshape procurement strategies. This could impact partnerships with EV infrastructure providers as the domestic manufacturing landscape evolves.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ACT EXPO

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Briefly noted …

Commercial Carrier Journal reports that the American Trucking Associations are asking the EPA to revisit its looming NOx rules ahead of the planned 2027 deadline for stricter heavy-duty engine emissions standards. ATA President and CEO Christ Spears urged EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin in a letter to warn of national supply chain disruption threats if the current rulemaking is enacted. 

Rick Mihelic of the North American Council for Freight Efficiency warns that autonomous trucking’s promise of eliminating driver costs is a “shell game.” While 24/7 operations could triple productivity, fleets face higher capital costs, accelerated maintenance needs and compressed asset lifecycles that could require truck replacement in two years instead of five.

MicroVision, Inc. will acquire key Luminar Technologies assets for $33 million in cash after winning a competitive bankruptcy auction. The deal includes intellectual property for Iris and Halo lidar sensors, engineering personnel and commercial contracts. Closing is expected on or shortly after Feb. 2, 2026.

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As always, thanks for watching and reading.

Thomas Wasson

twasson@firecrown.com

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