From RV E News.
"Chrysler to dump plans for light trucks with Cummins diesel engines
Greg Gerber posted on June 18, 2009 04:26
CLEVELAND -- If you were expecting to buy a diesel-powered light pickup within the next few years, it's time to give up.
Chrysler, the last company that had plans to offer such a truck, plans to cancel its contract with Cummins Inc. that called for the Indiana company to produce engines for its Dodge Ram 1500 line starting next year. The contract cancellation was one of a large group of supplier deals that Chrysler filed to cancel in Bankruptcy Court late Wednesday.
Popular in heavy-duty pickups, diesel engines provide as much as a 30 percent boost to fuel economy while offering the towing and hauling power that pickups owners seek. On the down side, they're more expensive that gasoline engines, adding as much as $8,000 to a vehicle's sticker price.
Chrysler's plans follow recent announcements by Ford Motor Co. and General Motors, both companies that had also planned light-duty diesels. Toyota Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Co. have also backed away from plans to make heavy-duty trucks featuring diesel engines, said Paul Lacy, an analyst with IHS Global Insight in Detroit.
Dodge and Cummins announced the new diesel engine in late 2006. The engine was not only intended to boost the fuel economy of the Ram line, it was going to reopen a plant in Columbus, Ind., for Cummins. The company had expected to spend $250 million in plant upgrades.
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