In an effort to help grow Denso’s global heavy-duty business, the company is expanding its North American research and development capabilities to include heavy-duty and commercial vehicles, the company said in a press release. Denso established a cross-functional team of market research, product engineering, and researchers that will focus on bringing-to-market products that improve fuel efficiency, expand connectivity and safety, and promote electrification of commercial vehicles, it said. Staff will be located in Southfield and San Diego, Calif., to support this effort.

“North America has a strong leadership base for heavy-duty technology, and Denso believes there is an opportunity to diversify our business base in this market segment,” said Patrick Powell, Denso international director. “In the not-so-distant future, new fuel economy and greenhouse gas regulations will drive change into the heavy duty area. And the market will continue to transition into higher levels of connectivity. Denso is well positioned to successfully support these technologies.”

With an increased focus on heavy-duty research and development in North America, Denso sees this as an important step forward in developing heavy-duty products in the region and for the region, it said. In addition, as fuel economy and emissions regulations in the U.S. are more advanced, Denso expects its North American operations to lead its global heavy-duty efforts, the company noted.

To learn more visit www.densocorp-na.com.