The Tier 3 emissions standard comes into effect in the United States in 2012, with the corresponding European standards following from 2014 onwards. Tier 3 prescribes significantly lower thresholds for NO_xemissions and other pollutants and requires the further development of diesel combustion technology.

Volkswagen is a leading manufacturer of diesel marine engines with a maximum rating of 258 kW (350 hp) and will set up series production of the new engine generation at its plant in Salzgitter. Furthermore, under the agreement concluded today all Volkswagen marine engines will from 2011 on be exclusively supplied to CMD and marketed under the CMD name.

Based in Charleston, South Carolina, Cummins MerCruiser Diesel is responsible for designing, manufacturing and providing reliable after-sales support worldwide for marine propulsion products. It offers a broad range of power, with available ratings from 115-715 hp for recreational applications and 76-715 hp for commercial use. Cummins MerCruiser Diesel is a joint venture between Cummins Inc. and Mercury Marine.