Cox’s Diesel Outboard Enters Production
UK-based engine manufacturer Cox Powertrain said its purpose-designed 300hp CXO300 diesel outboard engine has entered production following several years of development and testing.
Production will commence in Cox Powertrain’s headquarters and assembly and test facilities in Shoreham, West Sussex UK. The assembly plant boasts a turnkey Production System developed by QM Systems Ltd, a maker of manufacturing and test systems across all industries. The production line's ‘no faults forward’ design removes the possibility of assembly error, ensuring every outboard meets Cox’s requirement for the highest standards of quality. These are verified on a suite of purpose-built test cells which put every engine through its paces before shipping to the customer.
Significant investment has been made to introduce a manufacturing plant capable of producing up to one engine per hour, Cox said, noting it has relied on on £92 million ($115 million) of private investment generated by interest in the engine throughout its development in order to reach the production stage.
Tim Routsis, Cox’s CEO said, “This is a milestone we have been working towards for quite some time with a relentless focus on building a no-compromises business. I am enormously proud of the CXO300 and the terrific team who have worked tirelessly to make it a reality.
“We owe a debt of gratitude to the supply chain who have found ways to keep parts flowing to us despite Covid-19, and also to our global distributors who have remained loyal throughout. I am delighted that we can now repay that commitment by supplying this groundbreaking marine engine in volume, together with the support levels expected of a premium product.”
Cox’s Chairman, Charles Good said, “This brings to fruition a long-held ambition of mine to create a UK based business to design and manufacture diesel outboard engines to meet a major unfulfilled need in the global marine propulsion market.”
This UK-designed and manufactured high-technology product will be sold to the global market. Cox is supported by a worldwide distributor network made up of 35 distributors covering 100 countries.