Rolls-Royce is showcasing its full range of MTU power systems at bauma China, a construction machinery, material, vehicles and equipment show held in Shanghai from November 27-30. On display are cutting-edge engines under the MTU brand. These include MTU engines Series 1100 and 1300 and MTU Series 2000 and Series 4000, all designed to meet stringent global emission standards.
Market investment and local partnerships key for MTU in China
The strong MTU product presence at bauma China is a demonstration of Rolls-Royce’s strong commitment to the market and comes on the back of significant business growth in the country. The company’s changes to empower its local organization reflect this market demand and it continues to invest heavily in people, infrastructure and new partnerships.
The establishment of MTU Yuchia Power based in Yulin City in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (GZAR) focuses on building MTU’s highly successful Series 4000 engines, which are designed for use in the oil and gas and power generation industries. The company, which has a capacity to produce 1,500 engines per year, rolled out its first engine in April this year and is now already in serial production.
Rolls-Royce Power Systems Greater China President Tobias Ostermaier says, “The growth in China has been nothing short of spectacular, and initiatives such as the Belt and Road strategy adopted by the Chinese government are bringing about a transformation in the economic, industrial and infrastructure development landscape. We are pleased to be able to play a contributing role by introducing our world-leading capabilities in building diesel and gas engines as the country continues to drive towards success. With our new China organization, our commitment to invest further in people and infrastructure in China and our strong intention to build local partnerships shows we are here to contribute to key development projects across the country.” 
Over the last 2 years, XCMG has exported over 100 units of MTU engine-powered all terrain cranes ranging from 60-300 tonnes to Canada, Poland and Turkey.
Bringing export capabilities to China customers
Rolls-Royce also brings to China a strong capability in driving export business, especially when pairing high-performance, economical MTU diesel engines below 500 kW that meet China IV non-road emission standards with China-built construction and industrial equipment. One success story from these partnerships is Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group (XCMG). Over the last 2 years, XCMG has exported over 100 units of MTU engine-powered all terrain cranes ranging from 60-300 tonnes to Canada, Poland and Turkey.
Vice President Sales Industrial Business Lars Kraeft comments, “As we continue to strengthen our business presence in China, we are also focusing on partnering with local enterprises to enhance knowledge and skills exchange. These include working with OEM partners here to build MTU engine powered, robust and reliable construction and industrial products that are cost-effective to operate. Generally, products that are suitable for both the export and local markets.”
High-speed MTU engines continue to perform at high altitudes
Separately, world-leading, high speed diesel engines under the MTU brand are currently deployed at the Jiama mine in Tibet, China’s largest copper mine and the world’s highest altitude open pit mine (up to 5,500 m above sea-level). Trucks equipped with robust 16V 2000C66 MTU engines provide almost round-the-clock productivity as they haul heavy payloads with best in class cycle times, running in extreme temperatures, harsh conditions and a low-oxygen environment.
Kraeft continues, “Trials have also shown that MTU engines continue to perform at mining altitudes reaching 5,500m. As ordinary diesel engines deteriorate above 3,000m, this is an exciting showcase of the superiority of MTU engine technology.”
Building MTU China business and delivering top-of-line service
Rolls-Royce currently has more than 250 staff under its MTU business in China. The company also recently set up an MTU customer care centre in Suzhou, Jiangsu province. This is its fourth MTU customer care centre globally and the first one in China. Focused predominantly on providing support to China-based customers in local time and language, the establishment of the customer care centre is key to the company’s vision of becoming an integrated systems provider.
Rolls-Royce is also heavily investing in MTU customers’ digitalization journeys through Go! Act and Go! Manage and its efforts in advancing connectivity. These digital solutions are designed to directly integrate MTU’s customer care and service network into fleet management tools. This allows customers to leverage smart analytics and other digital technologies to maximize uptime, as well as optimize lifecycle costs of their products under MTU ValueCare Agreements. When made available, customers can use these tools to proactively prevent equipment failure and conduct intelligent troubleshooting.
