Nov 8, 2011 10:01 AM

Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) has delivered its 1,000th natural gas truck and is the first commercial vehicle manufacturer to achieve this milestone.

DTNA turned over the key to its 1,000th natural gas truck, the first Freightliner M2 112 compressed natural gas (CNG) truck with a Cummins Westport ISL G engine, to customer Ryder System Inc (NYSE: R) during a ceremony commemorating the milestone at Angel Stadium in Anaheim CA.

The Freightliner M2 112 CNG truck is powered by a Cummins Westport ISL G 8.9-liter engine. The 1,000th Freightliner natural gas vehicle was manufactured at DTNA’s plant in Mount Holly NC.

Daimler’s natural gas truck technology offers economic and environmental benefits without sacrificing performance. In addition, natural gas vehicles offer fuel cost saving potential with natural gas fuel costs 30% to 40% less than diesel, based on current prices. Natural gas vehicles also produce lower amounts of harmful emissions, cancer-causing pollutants, and greenhouse gases.

DTNA leads the automotive manufacturing market in production of natural gas-powered conventional commercial vehicles with a combined sales figure of 3,600 natural gas vehicles across its DTNA brands, including Thomas Built Buses and Freightliner Custom Chassis. A leader in developing clean vehicle technologies, the company also celebrated its 1,000th hybrid vehicle earlier this year at the DTNA manufacturing plant in Mount Holly.

Access www.daimler-trucksnorthamerica.com for more information.