On August 26, Wuhan, Hubei, Cummins East Asia Research and Development Center celebrated its 20th anniversary. Today, it stands as Cummins' largest R&D facility outside North America, having forged a development path rooted in China while connecting with the global network over two decades.
From Import to Leadership: A 20-Year Journey
The evolution of the Cummins East Asia R&D Center can be divided into three phases. Jonathan Wood, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Cummins, explained at the celebration that when the center was established in 2006, it focused on technology transfer, introducing Cummins' European and American products and technologies to China and adapting them locally. As China's market demands became increasingly diverse, the center pioneered the FFM (Fit for Market) philosophy, launching localized development based on China IV and Non-Road III emission standards to better serve the Chinese market. Since 2019, the center has introduced the innovative FFA (Fit for Application) strategy, customizing solutions for specific applications, enabling more refined and scenario-specific technological advancements.
When it first started 20 years ago, the center had only 62 employees and four test benches. Today, over 700 engineers work with 28 world-class test benches. Over the past two decades, vehicle powertrains have advanced from China II to China VI emissions standards, while non-road products have transitioned from China II to China IV. The engine platforms developed her, including multi-fuel engines, hydrogen internal combustion engines, electric drive axles, and powertrains, are now expanding into global markets. As Chinese automakers accelerate their overseas expansion, the East Asia R&D Center is providing tailored R&D support to Cummins' global partners, aligning with local regulations and operating conditions worldwide.
(Jonathan Wood)
Jonathan Wood, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Cummins
In Wood's view, collaboration is fundamental: listening to customer needs and integrating local market insights with global engineering capabilities. The accumulated expertise at the East Asia Center now enables it to contribute back to global R&D. With rapid technological iteration in China, the region's engineering and R&D capabilities are sufficient to meet global market demands.
Looking ahead, Cummins is advancing its Destination Zero zero-carbon goal in stages: continuing to improve diesel engine thermal efficiency, developing product platforms compliant with China VII and Non-Road V emissions; enabling single platforms to run on diesel, natural gas, hydrogen, and methanol; advancing 15-liter, 10-liter, and 6.7-liter hydrogen internal combustion engines; accelerating hybrid and electric drive axle development; and expanding power generation, energy storage, and microgrid technologies into infrastructure such as data centers.
Diversified Pathways to Boost New Energy Heavy-Duty Truck Penetration
Recently, 11 national ministries jointly released the Implementation Plan for Promoting Large-Scale Application of New Energy Heavy-Duty Trucks. The plan targets a 40% penetration rate by 2030, with new energy heavy-duty trucks exceeding 1.6 million units and accounting for about 20% of the total fleet.
To achieve this goal, Cummins is pursuing a diversified technology approach.
(Stephen Saxby)
Stephen Saxby, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Cummins China
"A 40% market penetration is an ambitious yet achievable target," said Stephen Saxby, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Cummins China. He noted that in response to rising demand for new energy heavy-duty trucks, Cummins remains committed to a diversified technology portfolio. This includes further tapping into engine potential, launching electrification-related products, and developing range-extended powertrains. However, regardless of the chosen technology route, decisions must consider lifecycle costs.
"Hybrid will be a smart choice." "I believe hybrid technology is a viable solution in the Chinese market, with penetration rates for heavy-duty trucks using this powertrain reaching 15% to 20%," said Sai Junfeng. Cummins is making significant investments in hybrid and electric drive technologies, enabling drive motors to be applicable not only in pure electric vehicles but also in hybrid systems.
Embracing Artificial Intelligence Actively
During the 20th anniversary celebration of Cummins East Asia Research & Development Center, an awards ceremony was held honoring employees who have worked continuously at the center for two decades.
Cummins has been advancing in artificial intelligence earlier than many might expect. Shi Lei, who has spent 20 years at Cummins and currently serves as General Manager of the East Asia R&D Center, recalled that in 2024, the center established a new department named AIPE-Artificial Intelligence for Engineering. The reason was simple: engineers found that applying AI could significantly accelerate many aspects of R&D, while market competition demanded faster delivery of better products.
Shi Lei noted that since 2024, Cummins East Asia R&D Center has integrated AI into product design, using artificial intelligence to assist in component design. This year, they completed the development of a large-scale AI model and applied intelligent agents to new product development, boosting engineering R&D efficiency by up to 30%.
To date, AI has been introduced across various functions beyond product design, including laboratories and performance development. Going forward, Cummins East Asia R&D Center remains committed to expanding AI applications throughout all functional areas.
Sai Junfeng added that Cummins is also applying AI to after-sales service. As new products launch, service parts and technicians are proactively deployed. By integrating big data with large AI models and leveraging vast application data from the Chinese market, Cummins enables predictive maintenance in its after-sales operations, allowing service parts and technicians to act ahead of potential failures.
From a startup team of 62 people to a global R&D innovation hub employing over 700 top-tier technical professionals, and from four test benches to a new research base equipped with 28 world-class test facilities, the evolution of Cummins East Asia R&D Center mirrors the growth of China's power industry and reflects the rise of China's innovative strength.
The 15-liter non-road engine soon to enter the U.S. market was fully developed, calibrated for performance, and mechanically engineered at the East Asia R&D Center. In 2026, the center will account for nearly 30% of Cummins' global R&D workload, and this proportion is expected to continue rising in the future.