New Cummins platform helps truck vehicle upfitters integrate engines, technology

Cummins has launched the Power to Build Community, an exclusive online forum designed to help vocational bodybuilders integrate the company’s latest engines, hardware and software.

Fire trucks, ambulances, utility trucks and tow trucks all rely on bodybuilders and truck equipment manufacturers to deliver essential services to millions. By connecting directly with Cummins experts, truck vehicle upfitters gain quick access to product specifications, performance insights and integration support—while shaping the forum with their own questions and feedback.

Access to such details can be particularly helpful when new powertrains require new chassis and body configurations, as is the case for Cummins’ upcoming B7.2 and X10 diesel engines. Both engines are slated for a 2027 launch and Cummins expects them, along with other new products, to spark interest and feedback from truck vehicle upfitters. That feedback is exactly what the company is counting on to strengthen the Power to Build Community.

Two of Cummins’ leaders guiding this effort are Obed Ruiz, General Manager of Vocational Business, and Reg Witt, Technical Support Manager for North America. Both emphasize the importance of industry collaboration and continuous feedback to ensure smooth integration of new powertrains and technologies.

“We have partnered with our OEMs and are attending their seminars to guide as many people and companies as possible through the changes,” Ruiz said. “The Power to Build Community makes it possible to engage even more on a broad scale. Input through this resource can help fill any gaps while empowering self-sufficiency among truck vehicle upfitters seeking the information they need.”

While the forum is open to all truck vehicle upfitters, Witt believes smaller companies with fewer resources are likely to benefit the most. He explained that many of the inquiries his team has received recently focus on integrating new controllers in the chassis.

“Some of the bigger bodybuilders are capable of keeping up with the technology,” Witt said. “It's some of the smaller truck vehicle upfitters that have challenges trying to keep up with the technology such as multiplexing and Torque/Speed Control (TSC1).”

Cummins is also rolling out other products designed to improve efficiency. By including Cummins Acumen hardware, users gain access to Connected Solutions, which provides remote diagnostics, predictive technology and over-the-air programming.

“That's another advantage for truck vehicle upfitters especially for those that have their own rental divisions,” Ruiz said.

Witt recognizes that maximizing integration opportunities with Cummins’ latest products will take ongoing education and collaboration. To date, he and other vocational experts at Cummins have been guiding truck vehicle upfitters to more cost-effective wireless solutions. 

“In the future, I see us almost moving away from hardwired inputs completely and moving over to a multiplex solution. It's two wires and as my electrical engineering professor always said, 'Software's free. Hardware costs money,’” Witt said.  “It's a more robust solution and they can proliferate it throughout their fleet without any hardware changes or hardware additions like relays and wiring.” 

By providing direct access to experts, technical resources and peer feedback, the Power to Build Community is helping truck vehicle upfitters stay ahead of changing technology and deliver reliable, high-performance trucks to the customers who depend on them.