Washington, D.C. - Let the diesel duels begin.

Armed with new Cummins clean-diesel technology, Dodge will introduce an all new turbodiesel engine in its light duty pickup trucks after 2009. The new engine will provide a dramatic increase in low-end torque, up to a 30-percent improvement in fuel efficiency and a 20-percent reduction in carbon dioxide (C02) emissions when compared to an equivalent gasoline engine.

“Our all-new Cummins engine will offer future Dodge Ram 1500 customers the ultimate in terms of fuel economy, refinement, reliability and durability,” said Tom LaSorda, Chrysler Group President and CEO. “It’s another example of the Chrysler Group bringing new, clean, quiet diesel technology to the marketplace.”

The new clean diesel engine will meet 50-state emissions standards for 2010. In March of this year, Dodge will offer a 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel in its Ram Heavy Duty trucks. The new engine meets 2010 standards in all 50 states.

“We are pleased to build upon our 18-year partnership and brand franchise with the Chrysler Group by providing our new light-duty diesel-powered engine for use in the Dodge Ram 1500,” said Tim Solso, Cummins Chairman and CEO. “We know customers for this product will demand high performance. We also know that we need to be extremely good at fuel efficiency and emissions control in order to succeed in this market. Cummins will use its technology leadership to meet all of those criteria, while providing the driving public with an exciting new diesel engine alternative for the popular Dodge Ram series.”

Chrysler Group Diesel-Powered Models
In the United States, current Chrysler Group diesel-powered models include the Dodge Ram Heavy Duty, powered by the new 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel; the all-new Dodge Ram 3500 Chassis Cab, with a new 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel; the Dodge Sprinter, with a 2.7-liter Common-rail Direct Injection (CDI) turbodiesel; and the Jeep® Grand Cherokee, featuring a new 3.0-liter V-6 turbodiesel engine (which hits the market early this year).

In Europe, diesel-powered models account for more than half of Chrysler Group sales. Diesel versions of numerous Chrysler Group vehicles continue to be popular, including the Chrysler 300C, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Compass, as well as the all-new 2007 Dodge Caliber and 2007 Jeep Wrangler.

Advanced diesel technology is part of the Chrysler Group’s advanced propulsion technology umbrella, which also includes efficient gasoline engines, hybrids, flex-fuel vehicles and biodiesel capability.

Dodge Brand
With a U.S. market share of 6 percent, Dodge is the Chrysler Group’s bestselling brand and the fifth largest nameplate in the U.S. automotive market. In 2006, Dodge sold than 1.3 million vehicles in the global market. Dodge continues to lead the minivan market with a 20 percent market share in the U.S. In the highly competitive truck market, Dodge has a 15 percent market share. Dodge is also entering key European volume segments with Nitro and Caliber.

Cummins
Cummins Inc., a global power leader, is a corporation of complementary business units that design, manufacture, distribute and service engines and
related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission solutions and electrical power generation systems. Headquartered in Columbus, Ind., Cummins serves customers in more than 160 countries through its network of 550 company-owned and independent distributor facilities and more than 5,000 dealer locations. Cummins produces the diesel for the Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 series.

WASHINGTON, Jan 23, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Cummins Inc. (CMI) today unveiled the strongest, cleanest, quietest best-in-class 2007 Cummins Turbo Diesel Leapfrogging the competition, the Cummins 6.7-liter Turbo Diesel engine, used exclusively in Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty pickup trucks, has increased displacement providing increased horsepower and torque while achieving the world's lowest 2010 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) NOx standard a full three years ahead of the requirements.

The new Turbo Diesel engines are in full production at the Cummins MidRange Engine Plant in Columbus, Ind. Cummins has been the sole supplier of diesel engines for the Dodge Ram since 1988, shipping approximately 160,000 engines in 2006.

Cummins is the first diesel engine manufacturer to have a product certified to the 2010 EPA heavy-duty engine standards for oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions, making it the cleanest heavy-duty diesel engine available in North America. The 2010 EPA standards for NOx (0.2g) and PM (0.01g) represent a more than 90 percent reduction in each pollutant, compared to the 2004 standards.

"The application of the right technology on the Dodge Ram is an extension of the joint clean diesel development work Cummins and DaimlerChrysler have performed together for nearly two decades," said Cummins President and Chief Operating Officer Joe Loughrey. "The new best-in-class Cummins Turbo Diesel and the Dodge Ram will provide the strongest, cleanest, quietest solution for heavy-duty pickup truck customers."

This new technology is a significant validation of the industry's ability to meet the EPA's 2010 clean diesel standards. These innovations help power our economy and drive our environmental successes," said Bill Wehrum, EPA's Acting Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation.

Cummins announced this news prior to the Washington Auto Show in conjunction with DaimlerChrysler and the EPA.

Strongest. The increased displacement of the 6.7-liter Turbo Diesel - enabling an increase in horsepower and torque while maintaining fuel economy - will provide Dodge Ram customers with better engine performance without sacrificing the reliability and durability that have become synonymous with Cummins. Increased vehicle control and lower operating cost are both delivered on the new 6.7L Turbo Diesel with the addition of an integrated exhaust brake option, providing outstanding braking performance.

Cleanest. Combining advanced in-cylinder technologies, including a Bosch flexible 1800-bar High Pressure Common Rail fuel system with Cummins next-generation cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) and Variable Geometry Turbocharger (VGT(TM)), plus advanced exhaust aftertreatment technology, every Dodge Ram pickup will comply with the 2010 NOx and PM emissions standards. The advanced aftertreatment system includes a close-coupled diesel oxidation catalyst, a NOx adsorber catalyst and a combined diesel oxidation/particulate filter. The engine also incorporates a proprietary closed crankcase ventilation (CCV) system to eliminate crankcase fumes and "driveway drips." These advanced technologies require the use of Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) fuel in order to meet the tough 2007 and 2010 regulations.

Quietest. The 2007 Cummins Turbo Diesel achieves a 50 percent noise reduction over the previous model, even with the increase in power and torque. The combination of reduced combustion noise, a low-noise VGT, optimized fuel timing/delivery, reduced-noise accessory drive pulleys and block side shields all contribute to this significant noise reduction.

Since 1988, Cummins and Dodge have collaborated to ship over 1.5 million Heavy Duty diesel pickup trucks and today enjoy around 30 percent market share in this highly competitive market in North America.

Cummins Inc., a global power leader, is a corporation of complementary business units that design, manufacture, distribute and service engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission solutions and electrical power generation systems. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana (USA), Cummins serves customers in more than 160 countries through its network of 550 company-owned and independent distributor facilities and more than 5,000 dealer locations. Cummins reported net income of $550 million on sales of $9.9 billion in 2005. Press releases can be found on the Web at cummins.com or everytime.cummins.com.

COLUMBUS, IND. - Cummins Inc. (NYSE:CMI) today announced it has reached agreement with a major automotive manufacturer serving the North American market to produce and market a light-duty, diesel-powered engine. For competitive reasons, Cummins original equipment manufacturer partner in the venture has asked to remain confidential.

As part of the agreement, Cummins will develop and manufacture a family of high-performance, light-duty diesel engines for a variety of automotive applications in vehicles below 8,500 pounds gross vehicle weight, including standard pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. Certain bus, marine and industrial applications also will be served by this engine family.

The first vehicles with this engine are expected to be ready for market by the end of the decade. Cummins anticipates that this diesel engine will provide an average of 30 percent fuel savings, depending on the drive cycle, over gasoline-powered engines for comparable vehicles.

Click here to be taken to the full story on the Cummins, Inc. website.

OK TDR Members, time to speculate and spread rumors?

Approximately 283,000 Dodge Ram pickup trucks from the 2003 - 2005 model years, equipped with diesel engines and automatic transmissions, are being voluntarily recalled to resolve concerns related to inadvertent movement of the vehicles. While no vehicle defect has been identified, Chrysler Group's investigation has found that some operators are not fully placing the shift lever in the park position. If the driver exits a running vehicle without placing the transmission shifter fully in the park position, the vehicle may roll away or, after a delay, move rearward. Dealers will install an alarm that will alert the operator if he attempts to exit the running vehicle and the transmission shifter is not fully placed in the park position. Alarms will be installed at no cost to owners. Owners will be notified in December, 2005. In the interim, owners are urged to follow the instructions in the owner's manual and always remove the key from the ignition and engage the parking brake when exiting the vehicle.