Cummins Turbo Diesel Named One of ``10 Best Engines for 2004''

COLUMBUS, Ind.--Dec. 1, 20030, 2003--Cummins Inc. today announced that Ward's has named the Cummins diesel engine for the Dodge Ram one of the "10 Best Engines for 2004."

The Cummins 5.9 liter, inline 6-cylinder Turbo Diesel is a winner in the annual awards competition, a highly anticipated auto industry award competition that for a decade has served as the auto industry's most-recognized barometer of powertrain-related product development.

"We are pleased and honored to announce that Ward's has selected the Cummins diesel engine for the Dodge Ram for this award," said Cummins Executive Director - Marketing, Tom Kieffer. "The new Cummins Turbo Diesel is the standard engine for the Dodge Ram Heavy Duty pickup line and is the most powerful diesel engine available in this segment of the automotive market," he added. "This award confirms what our customers already tell us: that they are delighted with the unmatched power, performance and fuel economy that only a Cummins diesel engine can offer."

"A Best Engines mantra essentially has emerged over a decade of presenting these awards," said Bill Visnic, Ward's senior technical editor. "It's simple. With very few exceptions, each and every 10 Best Engines winner over the past decade has powered a commercially successful vehicle. We are convinced that this is no coincidence."

During a two-month test period, six editors from Ward's Communications evaluated the engines "nominated" from 32 different cars, trucks and SUVs. Scoring encompassed the crucial engine characteristics of power, torque, noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), technical relevance and basic comparative numbers. All engines nominated and tested were in vehicles with a base MSRP under $52,500. "The engines in high-priced vehicles should be outstanding," says Visnic. "By setting a realistic base price, we ensure the awards have value and relevance to the average consumer."

Details of the Ward's 10 Best Engines will be featured in the January issues of Ward's AutoWorld and Ward's Engine & Vehicle Technology Update and at www.wardsauto.com.

Ward's Communications is a world-leading provider of auto industry news, data and analysis, having served the industry's information needs for nearly 80 years. Ward's AutoWorld is a monthly magazine serving more than 68,000 automotive professionals globally. The twice-monthly newsletter Ward's Engine & Vehicle Technology Update provides analysis of engineering advancements and technical issues. WardsAuto.com is an online subscription service delivering virtually all the industry news, data and analysis compiled by Ward's Communications, the world's leader in automotive industry information. Ward's Communications is a Southfield, MI - based division of PRIMEDIA Business, the trade publication group of PRIMEDIA.

Cummins Inc., a global power leader, is a corporation of complementary business units that design, manufacture, distribute and service engines and related technologies including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission solutions and electrical power generation systems. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana (USA), Cummins serves its customers through more than 500 company-owned and independent distributor locations in 131 countries and territories. With 23,700 employees worldwide, Cummins reported sales of $5.9 billion in 2002. Press releases can be found by accessing the Cummins home page at www.cummins.com.