COLUMBUS, Ind. — Cummins began full-scale production of all its 2007 engines yesterday, after receiving certification from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The companys entire line of heavy-duty and mid-range truck engines were approved b the EPA, including the popular heavy-duty ISX and ISM powerplants. On the mid-range side, the ISL, ISC and ISB were given the nod by the EPA.

All the engines reach 2007 emissions standards through the use of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). Cummins also utilizes a diesel particulate filter and crankcase ventilation system to achieve its emissions targets.

“With more than 400,000 cooled-EGR engines on the road, and well over 40 billion miles of experience, Cummins customers can be confident in the reliability and durability of these engines,” said Jim Kelly, Cummins vice-president and president of the engine business. “We are confident in the customer advantages provided by our 2007 engines and emissions solutions. Field testing and limited production units have demonstrated the performance, fuel economy and maintenance intervals that will meet and exceed customer expectations.

Cummins engines will be available under the hood of all major OEM vehicles, Kelly said.

“The vote of confidence from our original equipment manufacturer customers to engineer Cummins into their vehicles – in many cases as the exclusive non-proprietary engine – means that our mutual customers can also be confident in Cummins ’07 engines,” he added.

While most truck manufacturers are laying off employees to cope with a decline in truck sales, Cummins announced it will be retaining all its permanent workforce at each of its North American engine manufacturing plants. The company says it requires its full workforce to meet an increase in heavy-duty engine demand expected by the end of the first quarter as well as an anticipated mid-range engine share growth.