Chrysler will cancel its contract with Cummins Inc. for the light-duty diesel engine planned for the Dodge Ram 1500 pickup.
Chrysler disclosed the termination as part of a group of supplier rejections filed June 17 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. The engine originally was scheduled for 2010 models.
Cummins had not expected the automaker, which emerged from Chapter 11 on June 10, to follow through on the agreement, said Mark Land, a Cummins spokesman.
"We're OK with it," Land said, adding the contract was signed in 2006. "Obviously, a lot has changed in Chrysler's world and the world at large since then."
In January, Chrysler said it was delaying the introduction of the diesel light-duty Ram until at least 2011. Frank Klegon, then Chrysler's executive vice president of product development, cited stricter federal emissions standards and the high cost of diesel fuel in announcing the change. Other supplier contracts targeted by Chrysler include those with ArvinMeritor Inc., Continental AG, Delphi Corp., Denso Corp., Lear Corp., Robert Bosch GmbH, Magna International Inc., TRW Automotive Inc. and Valeo SA. Cummins has been talking with Chrysler for months about changes to the program and will continue to do so, Land said.
"That initial contract is dead, but the program itself is not dead," he said. Chrysler spokesman Roger Benvenuti declined to speculate on the future. "We're just starting up as a new company," he said. "It's too early to say what's going on."
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-----The orginal Mr.Goodwrench on the JBO since 11/99-----
ouch, this is a very bad idea.
"Formerly known as Jammit - JBO member since 1998" JBOM | CSS.net
The problem with diesel fuel prices in the US is that the oil companies subsidize the low price of gasoline by making diesel more expensive. If they sold them both at their true cost you'd see diesel significantly cheaper to buy.
If only GM could pick up that contract, just imagine a Cummins mated to an Allison auto. That'll be the truck to have.
"Project 69'"
1969 Chevrolet C/10, 1/2 ton, 2wd
-Boosted LS1?
-Richmond ROD 6-speed(will get sometime)
-Posi 12-bolt(built w/eaton posi unit and richmond 3.73 gears)
-Disc brake and 5 lug swap
+little extras
GM does not need Cummins. The Duramax family is quite potent on its own.
Guess there will only be stroken now that theres no Cummmin
on a sidenote Duramax is better than anything Cummins or Dodge ever made
Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Wednesday, July 01, 2009 5:13 PM
1989 Turbo Trans Am #82, 2007 Cobalt SS G85
Ford has been rumored to start cummin rather than strokin. Apparently they want out of International, but I have not heard much about that lately.
Ford, last I heard, was doing an in house diesel, called the Scorpion or something. Believe it to be 6.7 liters.
And I would take the power and durability of a Cummins over the other two. Now the rest of the truck is another story...
O noes!
Dave wrote:When will these idiots figure out that the answer to the new CAFE standards is DIESEL, not overpriced and low life span hybrids!
I agree with this, except what we need is small diesels. Europe has had small diesel vehicles for years now, and they are very successful at the dealers. I wouldn't buy it, but as long as other people do, I can keep enjoying gasoline powered cars.
2010 Honda Fit LX
Ants Cry Tom wrote:I agree with this, except what we need is small diesels. Europe has had small diesel vehicles for years now, and they are very successful at the dealers. I wouldn't buy it, but as long as other people do, I can keep enjoying gasoline powered cars.
Truth. But we are also talking about a half ton truck in this particular case. I've got to imagine that a properly sized diesel engine in a half ton would get great mileage too though, at least for the class.
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about
the former." - Albert Einstein
^^^
I doubt that anymore, thanks to the EPA. New diesels with the DPF are horrible on mileage compared to the ones before them. Plus higher initial cost, harder cold weather starting, more weight, ect are all reasons against it.
O noes!
Dave wrote:
Truth. But we are also talking about a half ton truck in this particular case. I've got to imagine that a properly sized diesel engine in a half ton would get great mileage too though, at least for the class.
They aren't bad, depending on the truck. I know a duramax owner that apparently has gotten an average 36 mpg on a tank (mind you most of that was highway driving back and forth from here to fort mac. Newfie, go figure, that lives up there and does all his shopping down here). I also had a Subway customer (this way four years ago almost now that we had this conversation, hopefully technology has improved on cummins diesels since) that swore the fuel gauge dropped by a notch every day in winter while he ran in to grab his lunch.
2010 Honda Fit LX
