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Ram 1500 First Modern Half Ton Pickup With Diesel
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James R. Healey, a writer for USA Today, reports:
Chrysler Group will announce Thursday that it will offer a diesel in the standard-duty Ram 1500 pickup in the third quarter this year, making it the first modern half-ton pickup in the U.S. market with a diesel power option.
That should attract a significant number of buyers, because while a diesel typically costs more than a gasoline engine up front, it uses less fuel, has greater pulling power, often lasts longer and has higher resale value — dollars-and-cents issues important to business users who account for many pickup sales.
Ram's internal studies show that "customers have been emphatically asking for this, thirsting for it, craving it," said Fred Diaz, CEO of Chrysler's Ram brand in a phone interview from Mexico (Diaz is also CEO of Chrysler de Mexico).
Click here to read the full article at USA Today.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/driveon/2013/02/13/ram-diesel-chrysler-first/1917131/
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EDGE Products Settles Lawsuit with EPA
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Okay folks, you need to have read the preceding "Performance Parts Update 2013" to understand the ramifications of the following press release about the Edge Products lawsuit.
My summary: Edge Products is one of several companies that has diligently tried to play by the rules. Shortly after the release of the '07.5 6.7-liter engine they released "tuners" for the engine. Some of these products are now part of the recall mandated by the EPA.
Due credit and your support should be given to Edge Products for their forthright response. There are other vendors who have shown flagrant disregard for the law and rules. I'll keep you informed as information is provided to us. For now, I'm concerned about the outcome for these vendors.
Automotive Electronics Manufacturer Fined $500,00 for Selling Illegal Devices Resulting in Tons of Excess Particulate Matter Emissions.
Release Date: 01/17/2013
Contact Information: Nahal Mogharabi, mogharabi.nahal@epa.gov, 213-244-1815
WASHINGTON – In a settlement with the United States on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, automotive electronics manufacturer Edge Products LLC (Edge) has agreed to pay a $500,000 civil penalty for manufacturing and selling electronic devices that allowed owners of model year 2007 and later diesel pickup trucks to remove emission controls from their vehicles. Diesel trucks that are not equipped with emission controls known as “diesel particulate filters” emit excess particulate matter (PM). When running, trucks without these types of controls leave behind a trail of dark, black smoke. PM is associated with a number of health problems, including respiratory and cardiovascular disease, chronic bronchitis, decreased lung function, and an increased risk of lung cancer.
The company, located in Ogden, Utah, sold more than 9,000 of these electronic devices nationwide, resulting in an estimated 158 tons of excess PM emissions released into the atmosphere. This is equivalent to the emissions from 422 new long-haul semi trucks operating for a period of 29 years.
“The Department of Justice will continue to vigilantly protect America’s health and environment through the enforcement of the Clean Air Act standards governing emissions from vehicles and engines,” said Ignacia S. Moreno, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “This settlement holds Edge Products accountable for selling devices that allow consumers to disable the emission controls on their vehicles by requiring the company to pay a penalty, buy back the devices, and perform a project to offset the air pollution resulting from the Clean Air Act violations.”
“Our goal is to have these illegal devices removed and proper emission controls installed,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “Allowing black smoke to billow conspicuously from the tailpipes of diesel pickup trucks is a practice that directly harms public health.”
Diesel particulate filters remove approximately 90% of the particulate matter emissions from a truck’s exhaust. If the filter is removed, the truck will generally not operate properly as the filter is monitored by the truck’s computer. However, the electronic devices sold by Edge allowed individuals to reprogram the truck’s computer so that the truck would continue to operate even after the filter had been removed.
Although Edge stopped selling the illegal devices in mid-2011, the consent decree requires Edge to offer to buy back the devices from anyone who possesses one. In order to sell the device back to Edge, the truck from which the device came must be returned to its original factory programming. Edge is also required to spend at least $157,600 to implement an emission mitigation project to offset the excess PM emissions that it caused. Edge will use the additional funds to offer rebates to individuals who own old wood-burning stoves and who wish to replace them with cleaner burning appliances such as new pellet stoves or EPA-certified wood stoves.
The civil penalty of $500,000 is based on the United States’ determination that Edge has a limited ability to pay a penalty in this matter.
The consent decree resolves allegations in a complaint, filed today, that Edge violated the Clean Air Act by manufacturing and selling motor vehicle parts or components whose effect is to bypass, defeat, or render inoperative a motor vehicles emission control device.
For more information about this case, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/enforcement/air/cases/edgeproducts.html
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Ram to Build Most Capable Trucks Ever
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• Ram 3500 Heavy Duty’s maximum trailer weight of 30,000 pounds far surpasses closest competitor’s 23,100-pound max
• 850 lb.-ft. Cummins Turbo Diesel is tops for torque
• 37,600-pound Gross Combined Weight Rating leads all heavy-duty pickups
• Ram 2500 leads all ¾-ton pickups
• Ram Chassis Cab trucks also deliver best-in-class towing
In the quest to build the most capable trucks available, Ram officially released class-leading towing and weight ratings for its 2013 line of Ram Heavy Duty pickups and Chassis Cab trucks.
The Ram 3500 Heavy Duty pickup will claim a 30,000-pound trailer capacity thanks to a new class-exclusive 50,000 pounds-per-square-inch, high-strength steel frame, improved transfer case, higher-load transmission, an upgraded 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel engine with a best-in-class 850 lb.-ft. of torque and other significant driveline upgrades.
Ram’s closest competitor is limited to a 23,100-pound maximum trailer.
"We built the new 2013 Ram Heavy Duty to be the undisputed Heavy Duty ‘King of the Road.’ These new rigs deliver on the number one key attribute most critical to these customers: uncompromising capability,” said Fred Diaz, President and CEO — Ram Truck Brand and Chrysler de Mexico, Chrysler Group LLC. “Towing capability, reliability and engine performance are ranked first through third, respectively, with HD customers. The 2013 Ram Heavy Duty trucks unequivocally deliver all those things, as well as a very low total cost of ownership.”
The Ram 3500’s Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) -- which is defined by the maximum combined weight of the truck, payload and trailer -- has been raised to 37,600 pounds, which again far surpasses the closest competitor’s 30,500-pound GCWR.
Ram has increased the capability in its other truck models as well.
For 2013, the Ram 2500 will also benefit from increased towing and GCWR. At 18,350 and 25,000, Ram 2500’s towing and GCW ratings are also best among ¾-ton pickups.
Ram Chassis Cab trucks also deliver maximum capability with best-in-class towing and GCWR figures 29,600 pounds and 37,500 pounds, respectively (5500 model).
Ram Heavy Duty adds a number of new features for 2013, including a factory-integrated fifth-wheel and gooseneck hitch mount, a 17,000-pound Class V hitch with 1,800 pounds of tongue weight, class-exclusive electronic stability control (ESC) for dual-rear-wheels and a new Center High-Mounted Stop Light (CHMSL) –positioned camera, the first of its kind in the heavy-duty pickup category, to provide a full view of the bed for easier hook-up of fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailers as well as monitoring cargo.
For 2013, all Ram Heavy Duty diesels benefit from an all-new cooling system. A high-efficiency fan, dual radiators, dual transmission coolers and low-slung charge air cooler afford 25 percent more heat-rejection capacity. Lower operating temperatures deliver improved performance, durability and lower operating costs. Cummins Turbo Diesel-equipped Ram trucks also provide best-in-class 15,000-mile oil change intervals.
Ram is also introducing an industry-exclusive Ram Active Air intake system. When the intake system senses extreme heat, it draws cooler air from the front of the vehicle – a function that also engages at high altitudes for superior throttle response in low oxygen environments. When conditions are wet from snow, ice or water-fording, the system pulls air from an under-hood inlet, clear from snow packing and water.
Also among the upgrades for 2013, Ram Heavy Duty front drive shafts and U-joints are sized larger to align with the truck’s new Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR).
To handle the best-in-class towing and payload capability of the new Ram Heavy Duty, a new front and rear suspension system with advanced geometry builds upon the chassis improvements and greatly improves overall roll stiffness. An advanced three-link front suspension on the Ram 3500 is necessary for the vehicle’s higher GVWR and for use with heavy front loads, including snow plows. Additionally, a newly designed Hotchkiss leaf spring rear suspension on the Ram 3500 offers improved ride and handling while delivering higher towing and payload capability.
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Cummins Recognized by Chrysler as 2012 Sustainability Supplier of the Year
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DETROIT -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Chrysler Group LLC recognized Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) as the 2012 Sustainability Supplier of the Year during the company's 2012 Annual Strategy Meeting and Supplier Awards Ceremony on June 6 at the Fox Theatre in Detroit.
“In addition to reducing its environmental footprint, Cummins is highly adept at involving its employees in public-service environmental projects. Its management and employees should be very proud of their accomplishments.”
Of the 12 awards given to top suppliers, Supplier of the Year was awarded to Cummins in the category of Sustainability. Nominations were based on the following criteria:
- Significance to environmental, social and economic sustainability
- Impact of the contribution
- Innovation and originality
- Transferability across or within supply chain
“Being selected as the Sustainability Supplier of the Year is a significant honor and great recognition for all the hard work we have done at Cummins to ensure sustainability,” said Ric Kleine, Vice President – MidRange On-Highway Business. “At Cummins, we believe that sustainability drives business success.”
Cummins Inc. has enjoyed strong growth, which continued in 2011 with record revenue of $18 billion. Cummins sustainability commitment includes initiatives to build stronger communities, reduce its environmental footprint and fund the research and development necessary to ensure future success.
Even the plant that has supplied Cummins Turbo Diesel engines to Ram for over 20 years was originally built as a “green” facility. The Columbus Midrange Engine Plant (CMEP) was built in 1971, and its innovative design placed operations mostly below ground with parking on the roof. This low unobtrusive profile has led to greater energy efficiency.
“Keeping operational costs low is vital,” said Wayne Ripberger, General Manager – Pickup and Light Commercial Vehicle Engine Operations. “Utilizing the plant’s design, we are able to capitalize on its environmental benefits, and that has helped contribute to our success over the past 20 years.”
Cummins is committed to reducing the company’s environmental footprint as part of its corporate responsibility value to serve and improve the communities in which it operates. Building stronger communities will ultimately result in stronger markets for its products.
“We selected Cummins for the breadth and depth of its sustainability program, which covers all three areas of the ‘triple bottom line’: people, planet and profit," said Greg Rose, Chrysler Group LLC Director of Sustainability, Environment, Health and Safety. “In addition to reducing its environmental footprint, Cummins is highly adept at involving its employees in public-service environmental projects. Its management and employees should be very proud of their accomplishments.”
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Fluidampr Joins Bully Dog Race Team
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Fluidampr is proud to announce its sponsorship of the Bully Dog Diesel Drag Truck. The 2006 Dodge 5.9L Cummins driven by Jarid Vollmer is a 9 second performance diesel truck that produces over 1,300 hp and 1,450lb/ft of torque on nitrous. Bully Dog, an industry leading manufacturer of diesel performance products, competes in the National Hod Rod Diesel Association's (NHRDA) Pro-Street class, as well as the National Association of Diesel Motorsports' (NADM)Unlimited events. Fluidampr is the official damper of the NADM. 
“We are proud to partner with and help contribute to the success of team Bully Dog,” says Fluidampr marketing manager Keith Horschel. By installing a Fluidampr Performance Diesel damper, Bully Dog will gain an edge on their competition by unleashing lost power and reducing engine wear through quality crankshaft torsional vibration protection. Torsional vibration occurs naturally and is caused by torque spikes slightly twisting the crank during each combustion cycle. When not properly controlled, its effects lead to accelerated main bearing wear, inefficient valve timing, reduced performance, and eventually crankshaft failure. Fluidampr is protecting your engine by replacing inadequate rubber dampers with durable viscous silicone damper technology used in nearly all heavy-duty diesel engines for trucking, agriculture, construction, power generation, rail transportation and by the military to achieve long engine life under intense torque loads.
Learn more about Fluidampr at www.fluidampr.com or call (716) 592-1000. Made in the USA.
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