REPORT: Chrysler kills light-duty Cummins engine for Dodge Ram 1500, at least for now
by Jeremy Korzeniewski on Jun 19th 2009 at 10:31AM 
2009 Dodge Ram - Click above for high-res image gallery
According to court documents, Chrysler has put at least a temporary halt to the expected light-duty Cummins diesel engine for the Dodge Ram 1500. Mark Land, director of public relations at Cummins, tells our sleuthy friends at PickupTrucks.com:
This is not a surprise. We're OK with this. We've been trying to rework development of the [light-duty diesel] engine over the last several months, given the current economic climate.It may not come as too much of a shock to anyone that's been paying attention, but it's unwelcome news nonetheless. Just like all other contracts that Chrysler had with its suppliers, the agreement between Dodge and Cummins to build the diesel powerplant was voided when the automaker filed for bankruptcy and the deal was not transferred to New Chrysler. Fortunately, there's still a ray of hope that the engine program will live on. Says Land:
Chrysler hasn't told us they don't want to [build the engine], it just won't happen under the terms of the original contract with the New Chrysler.Even without Chrysler, Cummins plans to eventually put the light-duty diesel engine into production. There remains a possibility that another automaker (Nissan perhaps?) may pick up the powerplant for use in a consumer-grade vehicle.
Gallery: 2009 Dodge Ram
[Source: PickupTrucks.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Erik 10:38AM (6/19/2009)
That's too bad, but I am sure Mahindra is happy that they will have the market to themselves. That Ram sure is one good looking truck though.
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Tool 12:03PM (6/19/2009)
Yeah, too bad. I won't be able to enjoy the sweet smell of diesel exhaust anymore.
Avinash machado 10:52AM (6/19/2009)
I don't think that the Ram and the Mahindra are competitors or in the same category. One is a full size and the other is a compact.
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Erik 11:15AM (6/19/2009)
By "the market" I mean the
Rob 10:55AM (6/19/2009)
Does Fiat have a diesel engine big enough for the Ram?
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Satish 11:20AM (6/19/2009)
Well, the IVECO diesel engines could probably work.
Rick C. 1:02PM (6/19/2009)
And they are already sold here, so local diesel mechanics should be familiar with them and parts availability won't be an issue.
Andrew 11:02AM (6/19/2009)
That Mahindra will be able to do anything a 1500 size truck can do, except maybe the really high tow rating. The payload is amazing, the bed size is close to 4 X 8 size and the mileage will be really good. The north American manufactures need to catch-up with diesels, in their home market.
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nrb 11:07AM (6/19/2009)
"the bed size is close to 4 X 8 size "
This isn't horseshoes. If it's not 4x8, it's not 4x8.
Ford and Dodge are convinced that a small diesel in a 1/2 ton (like that rating means anything) truck isn't worth the investment. I'm not convinced they're wrong.
I suspect Mahindra will develop a cult following, but never make big numbers. It lacks refinement.
why not the LS2LS7? 11:17AM (6/19/2009)
GM also canceled their light-duty Diesel engine.
Henry 11:44AM (6/19/2009)
The fact that Dodge, GM and Ford have all put their diesel engines on hold for 1500 pickups is an indication that their research all says the same thing… they can’t sell enough of them to warrant the expense of launching the engines. To meet future fuel economy, they will have to sell these engines eventually.
Buyers would look at the price of the diesel engine and compare it to the base gas engine. They would start to worry about the price of diesel fuel (long term) vs. the fuel economy vs. the upfront investment. TOO MUCH MATH!
The Mahindra will do OK (not great) because it is a work truck and only offers a diesel. The Dodge Sprinter Van does very well as a diesel only because it is also a work vehicle.
Mr.Oak 12:11PM (6/19/2009)
Yep, the will develop a cult following like DIHATSU did.
Dan 7:59PM (6/19/2009)
Yeah our undersprung commuter trucks give up a lot of potential capability in exchange for comfort, a smaller truck sprung for max payload - like the Mahindra - will do most of the same work.
But the diesel engine has nothing to do with that. The Mahindra wouldn't lose any ability to do work with a 4 cylinder gas motor, it'd just rev more in the process.
Greg Aryous 11:19AM (6/19/2009)
It seems ALL of the big-3 have come to the same conclusion - Diesel in the 1/2 ton class pickup is too expensive. There are better, less expensive alternative engines coming soon to compete with Diesel. Fords EcoBoost 3.5L V6 in the F150 should produce 400ft-lbs torque at a low (diesel-like) 1500 rpm and should cost less than $1000 and get mid 20's mpg. This kills the diesel.
Plus, Ford has the E85 DI EcoBoost in R&D and it produces still more torque (750ft-lbs in 5.0L V8) and better MPG, so why go expensive ($4K-$5K premium) Diesel?
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Ian 11:28AM (6/19/2009)
One reason is because the diesel engine is likely to last a lot longer than these more highly tunes gas engines.
MBS 12:52PM (6/24/2009)
No, all three have come to the conclusion that the American car buyer will immediately open their wallet as soon as they hear the word hybrid.
Stupid, gullible public.
Redeemed 11:20AM (6/19/2009)
This administration does not support diesel technology. Since they are now calling the shots, it's no surprise.
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DieselFan 11:38AM (6/19/2009)
I use an F150 for actual work on a farm. For me, the new American pickups (mine is a '96) have become too big, too fancy, and too expensive to use for a work pickup.
The Mahindra is interesting. GM's Canyon/Colorado seems to be about the right size, but I hear it's not a great truck, and it still costs a lot of $$.
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Rick C. 1:12PM (6/19/2009)
You need a truck, not a fashion statement, for your farm. No fluff, with a price reflecting that. Dents, scratches, dirty interior not a problem--it's a work truck. Thank you for the common sense.
Carlos 12:25PM (6/19/2009)
Why!? Trucks need diesel engines not gasoline engines!
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