<PAGE>   1


                                                                   EXHIBIT 25.1

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned constitutes and
appoints J. Randall Lawrence 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, 1997, 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, 1998                           /s/ Dr. Eckhard Cordes
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                     Dr. Eckhard Cordes








                                       67
<PAGE>   2



                                                                   EXHIBIT 25.1

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned constitutes and
appoints J. Randall Lawrence 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, 1997, 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 15, 1998                     /s/ John E. Doddridge
                                               ---------------------------
                                               John E. Doddridge







                                       68
<PAGE>   3


                                                                   EXHIBIT 25.1

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned constitutes and
appoints J. Randall Lawrence 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, 1997, 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, 1998                       /s/ William E. Hoglund
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                 William E. Hoglund







                                       69
<PAGE>   4


                                                                  EXHIBIT 25.1

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned constitutes and
appoints J. Randall Lawrence 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, 1997, 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, 1998                       /s/ Gary G. Jacobs
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                 Gary G. Jacobs










                                       70
<PAGE>   5


                                                                   EXHIBIT 25.1

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned constitutes and
appoints J. Randall Lawrence 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, 1997, 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, 1998                     /s/ Dr. Kurt J. Lauk
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               Dr. Kurt J. Lauk








                                       71
<PAGE>   6


                                                                   EXHIBIT 25.1

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned constitutes and
appoints J. Randall Lawrence 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, 1997, 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 10, 1998                      /s/ Joseph F. Welch
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                 Joseph F. Welch









                                       72
<PAGE>   7


                                                                   EXHIBIT 25.1

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned constitutes and
appoints J. Randall Lawrence 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, 1997, 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, 1998                 /s/ R. Jamison Williams, Jr.
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           R. Jamison Williams, Jr.









                                       73