<PAGE>   1


                                                                    EXHIBIT 24.1

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned constitutes and
appoints Robert E. Belts and John F. Farmer, and each of them, his attorney to
do any and all acts which said attorney may deem necessary or advisable to
enable Detroit Diesel Corporation (the "Company") to comply with the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act"), and the rules, regulations and
requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, in connection
with the filing under the Act of the Company's annual report for the year ended
December 31, 1998, including, but not limited to, the power and authority to
sign in the name and on the behalf of the undersigned, in any and all capacities
in which the signature of the undersigned would be appropriate, an annual report
on Form 10-K and any and all amendments thereto, for filing with the Securities
and Exchange Commission under the Act, and generally to do and perform all
things necessary to be done in the premises as fully and effectually in all
respects as the undersigned could do if personally present.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned hereby executes this power of
attorney as of the date set forth below.



Dated:    January 18, 1999                        /s/ Dr. Eckhard Cordes
                                                  -----------------------------
                                                  Dr. Eckhard Cordes




                                       67
<PAGE>   2



                                                                    EXHIBIT 24.1

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned constitutes and
appoints Robert E. Belts and John F. Farmer, and each of them, his attorney to
do any and all acts which said attorney may deem necessary or advisable to
enable Detroit Diesel Corporation (the "Company") to comply with the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act"), and the rules, regulations and
requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, in connection
with the filing under the Act of the Company's annual report for the year ended
December 31, 1998, including, but not limited to, the power and authority to
sign in the name and on the behalf of the undersigned, in any and all capacities
in which the signature of the undersigned would be appropriate, an annual report
on Form 10-K and any and all amendments thereto, for filing with the Securities
and Exchange Commission under the Act, and generally to do and perform all
things necessary to be done in the premises as fully and effectually in all
respects as the undersigned could do if personally present.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned hereby executes this power of
attorney as of the date set forth below.



Dated:    January 18, 1999                          /s/ John E. Doddridge
                                                    ---------------------------
                                                    John E. Doddridge


                                       68
<PAGE>   3


                                                                    EXHIBIT 24.1

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned constitutes and
appoints Robert E. Belts and John F. Farmer, and each of them, his attorney to
do any and all acts which said attorney may deem necessary or advisable to
enable Detroit Diesel Corporation (the "Company") to comply with the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act"), and the rules, regulations and
requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, in connection
with the filing under the Act of the Company's annual report for the year ended
December 31, 1998, including, but not limited to, the power and authority to
sign in the name and on the behalf of the undersigned, in any and all capacities
in which the signature of the undersigned would be appropriate, an annual report
on Form 10-K and any and all amendments thereto, for filing with the Securities
and Exchange Commission under the Act, and generally to do and perform all
things necessary to be done in the premises as fully and effectually in all
respects as the undersigned could do if personally present.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned hereby executes this power of
attorney as of the date set forth below.



Dated:    January 19, 1999                             /s/ William E. Hoglund
                                                       -------------------------
                                                       William E. Hoglund


                                       69
<PAGE>   4


                                                                    EXHIBIT 24.1

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned constitutes and
appoints Robert E. Belts and John F. Farmer, and each of them, his attorney to
do any and all acts which said attorney may deem necessary or advisable to
enable Detroit Diesel Corporation (the "Company") to comply with the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act"), and the rules, regulations and
requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, in connection
with the filing under the Act of the Company's annual report for the year ended
December 31, 1998, including, but not limited to, the power and authority to
sign in the name and on the behalf of the undersigned, in any and all capacities
in which the signature of the undersigned would be appropriate, an annual report
on Form 10-K and any and all amendments thereto, for filing with the Securities
and Exchange Commission under the Act, and generally to do and perform all
things necessary to be done in the premises as fully and effectually in all
respects as the undersigned could do if personally present.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned hereby executes this power of
attorney as of the date set forth below.



Dated:    January 21, 1999                        /s/ Gary G. Jacobs
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Gary G. Jacobs


                                       70
<PAGE>   5


                                                                    EXHIBIT 24.1

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned constitutes and
appoints Robert E. Belts and John F. Farmer, and each of them, his attorney to
do any and all acts which said attorney may deem necessary or advisable to
enable Detroit Diesel Corporation (the "Company") to comply with the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act"), and the rules, regulations and
requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, in connection
with the filing under the Act of the Company's annual report for the year ended
December 31, 1998, including, but not limited to, the power and authority to
sign in the name and on the behalf of the undersigned, in any and all capacities
in which the signature of the undersigned would be appropriate, an annual report
on Form 10-K and any and all amendments thereto, for filing with the Securities
and Exchange Commission under the Act, and generally to do and perform all
things necessary to be done in the premises as fully and effectually in all
respects as the undersigned could do if personally present.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned hereby executes this power of
attorney as of the date set forth below.



Dated:    January 20, 1999                           /s/ Dr. Kurt J. Lauk
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                     Dr. Kurt J. Lauk

                                       71

<PAGE>   6


                                                                    EXHIBIT 24.1

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned constitutes and
appoints Robert E. Belts and John F. Farmer, and each of them, his attorney to
do any and all acts which said attorney may deem necessary or advisable to
enable Detroit Diesel Corporation (the "Company") to comply with the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act"), and the rules, regulations and
requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, in connection
with the filing under the Act of the Company's annual report for the year ended
December 31, 1998, including, but not limited to, the power and authority to
sign in the name and on the behalf of the undersigned, in any and all capacities
in which the signature of the undersigned would be appropriate, an annual report
on Form 10-K and any and all amendments thereto, for filing with the Securities
and Exchange Commission under the Act, and generally to do and perform all
things necessary to be done in the premises as fully and effectually in all
respects as the undersigned could do if personally present.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned hereby executes this power of
attorney as of the date set forth below.



Dated:    January 17, 1999                            /s/ Joseph F. Welch
                                                      --------------------------
                                                      Joseph F. Welch

                                       72

<PAGE>   7


                                                                    EXHIBIT 24.1

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned constitutes and
appoints Robert E. Belts and John F. Farmer, and each of them, his attorney to
do any and all acts which said attorney may deem necessary or advisable to
enable Detroit Diesel Corporation (the "Company") to comply with the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act"), and the rules, regulations and
requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, in connection
with the filing under the Act of the Company's annual report for the year ended
December 31, 1998, including, but not limited to, the power and authority to
sign in the name and on the behalf of the undersigned, in any and all capacities
in which the signature of the undersigned would be appropriate, an annual report
on Form 10-K and any and all amendments thereto, for filing with the Securities
and Exchange Commission under the Act, and generally to do and perform all
things necessary to be done in the premises as fully and effectually in all
respects as the undersigned could do if personally present.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned hereby executes this power of
attorney as of the date set forth below.



Dated:    February 4, 1999                         /s/ R. Jamison Williams, Jr.
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                   R. Jamison Williams, Jr.


                                       73