Caterpillar Announces EPA Certification for Second Engine Powered by Low Emission ACERT(TM) Technology

PEORIA, Ill., March 17 -- Caterpillar Inc. has received certification by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the company's second engine equipped with breakthrough Advanced Combustion Emission Reduction Technology (ACERT(TM)). The technology provides a long-term emissions solution for the North American trucking, bus, construction and mining industries, and positions Caterpillar to meet future EPA emissions regulations for both on and off-highway engines.

The second EPA-certified Caterpillar engine with ACERT technology is the C7 engine, popular with customers who operate school buses, emergency vehicles, delivery trucks and recreational vehicles. The engine, offered in the 190 to 330 horsepower range, is the successor to Caterpillar's highly- successful 3126E engine. Full production of the C7 engine will begin in the second quarter of this year.

"The certification demonstrates that Caterpillar is fully on schedule with the introduction of ACERT technology," said James J. Parker, Caterpillar vice president with responsibility for the company's Power Systems Marketing Division. "The C7 with ACERT technology will set a new industry standard for a low emission engine that delivers reliable and durable power without sacrificing engine performance."

Caterpillar will introduce the company's on-highway truck and bus engines equipped with breakthrough ACERT technology later this week at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky. In January 2003, Caterpillar received certification for the C9 -- the company's first engine equipped with ACERT technology. The C9 engine is used predominately in mass transit and school buses, and vocational class trucks such as refuse haulers and dump trucks.

ACERT is a differentiated, breakthrough technology that reduces emissions at the point of combustion. The technology capitalizes on Caterpillar's proven leadership in engine electronics, fuel injection systems and combustion technology.

All Caterpillar on-highway truck and bus engines will be equipped with ACERT technology by the fourth quarter of this year. The technology will also be used to meet future emissions regulations for the company's entire diesel engine product line, including construction and mining machines and power generation units.

Caterpillar is the leading manufacturer and supplier of truck and bus engines in the combined medium and heavy-duty categories in North America, holding the lead position in engine shipments to vehicle manufacturers since 1999. In 2002, for the third consecutive year, Caterpillar on-highway truck engines received the highest customer satisfaction ranking issued by J.D. Power and Associates.

For more than 75 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been building the world's infrastructure and, in partnership with its worldwide dealer network, is driving positive and sustainable change in every continent. With 2002 sales and revenues of $20.15 billion, Caterpillar is a technology leader and the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines. More information is available at http://www.cat.com/ .