Caterpillar Honors Customers, Celebrates Milestones for ACERT(R) Technology

PEORIA, Ill., Oct. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In a ceremony today, Caterpillar Inc. honored customers who are using ACERT Technology to help meet emission requirements around the world. The company also marked milestones for the rollout of ACERT across the Caterpillar product line.

"For both Caterpillar and our customers, engines with ACERT have delivered superior emissions solutions while also providing the performance and durability that is synonymous with the Caterpillar name around the world," said Doug Oberhelman, Caterpillar group president with responsibility for the company's engine division. "In 2001, Caterpillar announced ACERT as its path to meet the increasingly stringent emission requirements that our customers are facing. Today, the number and range of products with ACERT Technology are proof that Caterpillar made the right choice."

During the event at Caterpillar's Mossville, Illinois engine facility; Caterpillar marked the production of 10,000 machine engines featuring ACERT. The ceremonial C15 engine was presented to a representative of the company's articulated truck facility located in Peterlee, United Kingdom. All of Caterpillar's articulated trucks feature ACERT, making Caterpillar the only known manufacturer with a full line of articulated trucks powered by engines compliant with U.S. Tier3 and E.U. Stage IIIA emissions requirements.

The event also marked the production milestone for 2,500 industrial engines featuring this breakthrough clean diesel technology. A representative from agricultural equipment manufacturer AGCO was also presented with a ceremonial C18 engine as part of the celebration.

"We are honored to have AGCO as a featured customer representing original equipment manufacturers who are using Cat engines with ACERT," said Gary Stroup, Caterpillar vice president with responsibility for the Large Power Systems Division. "AGCO was an early adopter of ACERT Technology, which is used in farm machinery AGCO sells to customers all over the world."

"AGCO and Caterpillar have a long-standing business relationship, and both companies focus on providing the best value possible to customers," said Ron Hess, AGCO vice president of North American Materials and Purchasing. "Caterpillar engines featuring ACERT Technology give our customers the power and emissions solutions they need to help them farm profitably."

ACERT Technology Facts -- More than 275,000 on-highway engines with ACERT are in service accumulating more than 70 million miles per day. -- Manufacturing facilities on five continents are producing Caterpillar machines powered by engines featuring ACERT Technology. -- A total of 34 Caterpillar machines now feature engines with ACERT Technology. -- By the end of 2005, 45 machine models will use ACERT to meet emission requirements. -- Utilizing ACERT, Caterpillar was the first engine manufacturer to offer a complete line of 2004 model year on-highway engines certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

ACERT is a differentiated technology that reduces emissions at the point of combustion. The technology capitalizes on Caterpillar's proven leadership in engine electronics, fuel injection systems, combustion technology and aftertreatment. All Caterpillar on-highway truck and bus engines are equipped with ACERT Technology. ACERT is also the foundation to meet future emissions regulations for the company's entire diesel engine product line, including construction and mining machines, power generation units, and engines used in marine, industrial and petroleum applications.

About Caterpillar

For 80 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been building the world's infrastructure and, in partnership with its worldwide dealer network, is driving positive and sustainable change on every continent. With 2004 sales and revenues of $30.25 billion, Caterpillar Inc. is a technology leader and the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines.

About AGCO

AGCO Corporation, headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, is a global manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment and related replacement parts. AGCO products are distributed in more than 140 countries. AGCO offers a full product line including tractors, combines, hay tools, sprayers, forage, tillage equipment and implements through more than 3,900 independent dealers and distributors around the world. In 2004, AGCO had net sales of $5.3 billion.