By the end of 2000 all M43 engines will be being assembled in Rostock. The production capacity freed up in Kiel will be used largely to manufacture smaller sized marine, Electricity Power Generation (i.e. stationary power applications) and gas engines.
Although capacity is at its limit at the moment the commissioning of the Rostock facility will provide an immediate boost and over the longer term there is scope for a substantial expansion in output in Rostock. This appears to be based on an expectation of a buoyamy market for the types of engines the company produces and a confidence that Caterpillar Motoren can secure a good share of this market.
2.5 Research and Development
Caterpillar Motoren's R&D facilities and expertise is centred in Kiel. The Caterpillar Group's philosophy is to explore alternative fuels and new materials that make engines lighter, more powerful and more environmentally sound.
