Dodge and Cummins No More????

[Diamondpilot]

Heard on the local news that Dodge has cut ties with Cummins, a Indiana based company. What does this mean for the future of Dodge trucks? This is a big deal for Cummins since Dodge is one of the largest customers for them. I have tried to look it up on the net but really can not find anything. Wonder if its just bad info?

Does this mean Cummins may show up in another brand of truck?

Chris

 

[Duffster]

I thought I heard somewhere that Cummins was one of Dodge's biggest creditors.

If they do split it sure won't do Dodge any favors.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I did some more reading on the local TV stations site and it looks like they are working to hammer out a new deal but the Cummins engine may not be exclusive to Dodge after all is said and done. I am sure at the end of the day they will get it worked out but it sure puts a scare in alot of people.

Chris

 

[Builder]

When Dodge gets taken over by FIAT, they will want to exercise their european/Italian influence over them. They would probably love to install IVECO diesels in them, but realize that most Dodge loyal only buy their trucks for the Cummins engine. If Cummins diesels were pulled from Dodge trucks, their sales would fall 50% overnight.

When FIAT bought out Case/NH, the first thing they did was dump Cummins4BT's from their backhoes and start installing IVECO diesels in them. Carraro axles and other Italian parts are increasing in numbers on CASE backhoes. I would think that FIAT will want to do same with Dodge trucks in the future, but I don't know if there's a good match from the Iveco diesel engine lineup for an American pickup. Of course if they did it, it would be the end of Dodge trucks as we know them, so I don't think it makes financial sense.

 

[KeithInSpace]

I remember years ago when Cummins threatened to stop providing engines because Dodge could not seem to put a transmission in the truck capable of dealing with the power/torque capabilities of the engine. The, therefore crappy, trucks were souring the name "Cummins" because it was associated with a POS they had no control over.

It was the following year that Dodge came out with a much-fortified tranny and all has been fairly well since...until now it seems.

Funny thing is that my Dad has a Dodge 3500 dually 4x4 club-cab Cummins powered with a 6-speed. He tows a 15,000# 5th wheel. He says the stick is AWESOME for towing as he can pick the perfect gear and let it eat.

What stinks is that his CLUTCH has started slipping on his last two trips. He now can't drive the truck in cruise-control because he can't "feel" the clutch slip. And the dealership won't touch it because they can't replicate the problem.

He came up to my house the other day and said the clutch slipped WITHOUT the trailer. Bummer. He's taking a trip to NM in the fall with the trailer...hope someone steps up to the plate before then.

I guess some things never change...low bidder on clutch plates, apparently.

 

[buckle97]

... but realize that most Dodge loyal only buy their trucks for the Cummins engine. If Cummins diesels were pulled from Dodge trucks, their sales would fall 50% overnight.

I can't tell you how many times I have read on this forum as well as others the statement "I suffer with the Dodge truck because of the great Cummins engine." I agree with Builder, the damage done to the sales department of Dodge trucks is almost unimaginable.

 

[Reg]

When Dodge gets taken over by FIAT, they will want to exercise their european/Italian influence over them. They would probably love to install IVECO diesels in them, but realize that most Dodge loyal only buy their trucks for the Cummins engine. If Cummins diesels were pulled from Dodge trucks, their sales would fall 50% overnight.

When FIAT bought out Case/NH, the first thing they did was dump Cummins4BT's from their backhoes and start installing IVECO diesels in them. Carraro axles and other Italian parts are increasing in numbers on CASE backhoes. I would think that FIAT will want to do same with Dodge trucks in the future, but I don't know if there's a good match from the Iveco diesel engine lineup for an American pickup. Of course if they did it, it would be the end of Dodge trucks as we know them, so I don't think it makes financial sense.

Interesting... Maybe some (American) folk who have experienced the Iveco powered hoes would WANT an Iveco powered pick up ?
OTOH, maybe the days of the prototypical "American Pick Up" are in any case numbered ?
On yet a third hand; Maybe it is just a part of the emergence from bankruptcy process that all contracts are terminated and they start with a "clean sheet" ?

Rumors ?
Consider the source.

 

[20 20]

Personally I never cared for the cummins diesel, of course that was in a tractor trailer. Cat would stomp all over a cummins Cat was built a lot better, atleast at the time{1990's}. As far as Dodge losing sales, well time will tell, but ya never know something better might come?????????

 

[Diamondpilot]

While I agree the Cummins loss will hurt some sales but then again it might help? I think the damage has been done too Dodge and GM and those who will seek another brand will, the loyal will stay.

Look at GM's diesel history. They had a Detroit Made Diesel that was barely adequate but by no means a great engine. They then perused a foreign company, Isuzu, and got the Dmax. It help their diesel sales 1000's of times over. Maybe this will be a good thing for Dodge and I am sure the Cummins engine may land somewhere else if all goes south.

Chris

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

Well, that's less dire than the rumor I had heard, which was Fiat was cancelling the Ram line of trucks altogether. Don't remember where I heard it, though, so I can't cite the source.

 

[RobertN]

I can't tell you how many times I have read on this forum as well as others the statement "I suffer with the Dodge truck because of the great Cummins engine." I agree with Builder, the damage done to the sales department of Dodge trucks is almost unimaginable.

I read that frequently too. But my Ram has been a great truck. I could still go either way if I got a new one, Ford or Dodge. But I have no regrets, and have been very happy the last 8 years and 115k miles.

The only thing I would do different, is get a stick and 3:73's; I like gear jammin, and this Cummins does not need the 4:11's I got. I got the auto because my wife had injured her knee real bad surgery ect. Turned out I should have talked to her more; she drives a stick no problem.

 

[powerstroke444e]

I had a 02 cummins with a dodge body on it & really liked the motor but @ 100K it felt like I need a new body on it. I do have a 2500 dodge gas 5.7 just because I want to help the war effort and burn as much gas as I can>LOL I do buy what I need and like and leave out brand loyalty, as I have owned dodge ford, and even wrecked a few GM products over the years. I still think the diesel's out of the mid to late 90's (all 3 ford GM cummins)get the best mpg and last the longest even though they may not have the power of the ones being built today.

 

[Smokin Diesel]

Heard on the local news that Dodge has cut ties with Cummins, a Indiana based company. What does this mean for the future of Dodge trucks? This is a big deal for Cummins since Dodge is one of the largest customers for them. I have tried to look it up on the net but really can not find anything. Wonder if its just bad info?

Does this mean Cummins may show up in another brand of truck?

I did some more reading on the local TV stations site and it looks like they are working to hammer out a new deal but the Cummins engine may not be exclusive to Dodge after all is said and done. I am sure at the end of the day they will get it worked out but it sure puts a scare in alot of people.

No, no, no... That's how rumors get started...

From yesterday's "The Republic", a Columbus, Indiana (home of Cummins) newspaper:

"Chrysler cancels 1 Cummins engine contract, affirms another
Chrysler has officially agreed to honor its contract for Cummins Inc.'s midrange engines, but cancelled its contract to produce light-duty diesels.

That means the 6.7-liter Turbo Diesel will continue to be built at Columbus Midrange Engine Plant, but puts in question the future of the light-duty diesel engine, which is planned to be built at Columbus Engine Plant.

The move officially delays - but does not cancel - the project, said Mark Land, Cummins' executive director of corporate communications."

The existing 6.7 isn't going anywhere. The cancelled contract is for the small v-8 diesel that Cummins was going to produce for Dodge for the 1/2 ton trucks. Cummins still wants to produce the smaller diesel, but now they don't have a locked in buyer.

The Dodge/Cummins arrangement is mutually benificial for each party. Cummins has sold over a million B-series engines through Dodge, and Cummins powered trucks are the majority of the trucks that Dodge sells. Even if Fiat comes into the picture, the Cummins will still be available. Ever see the Mercedes Diesel rumor materialize when Daimler was the owner?

And there isn't an exclusive contract between Dodge and Cummins. Ford has been using the B-block in their F-series for many years (you just need to get a 650 or bigger to get it as an option).

Lots of misinformation in this thread (at least the "Ford owns Cummins" thing didn't pop up). The only true bit that I caught was that 6-speeds with the NVG5600 have weak clutches (try www.southbendclutch.com for that one).

 

[Dmace]

Associated Press story

The contract was canceled only as a step in the bankruptcy. Since the company is starting over and reorganizing, the contract between Cummins and Chrysler is null and void.

They are resigning the contract for the heavy duty 6.7l diesel now with the newly formed company and now Cummins is going to try and get a contract with Chrysler for the small diesel for the 1/2 ton trucks too. I really hope they do, my ideal truck is a light 1/2 ton quad cab truck with a 350hp/450ft.lb. inline 6 diesel getting 20+mpg, 2000lbs payload and a 10,000lb tow capacity.

 

[Smokin Diesel]

Associated Press story

The contract was canceled only as a step in the bankruptcy. Since the company is starting over and reorganizing, the contract between Cummins and Chrysler is null and void.

They are resigning the contract for the heavy duty 6.7l diesel now with the newly formed company and now Cummins is going to try and get a contract with Chrysler for the small diesel for the 1/2 ton trucks too. I really hope they do, my ideal truck is a light 1/2 ton quad cab truck with a 350hp/450ft.lb. inline 6 diesel getting 20+mpg, 2000lbs payload and a 10,000lb tow capacity.

You're getting closer. The medium-duty contract wasn't touched (cancelled or resigned). Nothing has changed with the availability of the 6.7 in the 2500s and 3500s. The light-duty contract (the only one cancelled and may be resigned by the newly formed Fiat-based company) only effects the yet-to-be-designed-or-produced small v-8 for the 1/2 tons.

 

[Renze]

Interesting... Maybe some (American) folk who have experienced the Iveco powered hoes would WANT an Iveco powered pick up ?
OTOH, maybe the days of the prototypical "American Pick Up" are in any case numbered ?
On yet a third hand; Maybe it is just a part of the emergence from bankruptcy process that all contracts are terminated and they start with a "clean sheet" ?

Rumors ?
Consider the source.

Dont worry, folks !! The QSB 4.5 and QSB 6.7 are a joint development with Iveco, based on the QSB 5.9 with a longer stroke: The 6BT also showed up in smaller 8 to 12 ton Iveco trucks, badged Iveco. However this joint venture ended about 6 months ago.
Right now, Iveco (Fiat, New Holland, Case) are building the engine for their own in Europe, and Cummins is building them for their own markets.
So nothing will change, except for the manufacturing place.

Who cares if its a QSB6.7 produced in Italy or Mexico ???



About the half ton pickup diesel, i dont think they will source it from Fiat immediately: The American buyer wont lust for the cheapish 3.0 Sofim HPI diesel at 176 hp at 4000 rpm... Unless they develope a 4.5 liter inline 6 out of it. But then the heavy duty QSB4.5 would still appeal more to most truck buyers.

 

[coobie]

I did some more reading on the local TV stations site and it looks like they are working to hammer out a new deal but the Cummins engine may not be exclusive to Dodge after all is said and done. I am sure at the end of the day they will get it worked out but it sure puts a scare in alot of people.

Chris

I want a ford truck with a cummins engine and allision tranny.

 

[Skyco]

Yep- According to Autoweek the only thing Dodge canceled was the light duty Cummins supposed to go in the 1/2 ton trucks.

Chrysler cancels Cummins diesel for the light-duty Dodge Ram: AutoWeek Magazine

 

[Diamondpilot]

I want a ford truck with a cummins engine and allision tranny.

Yea, that would make a good combo. Nice axles with electric lockers front and rear with big disc brakes would also be good.

Chris

 

[Builder]

I read that frequently too. But my Ram has been a great truck. I could still go either way if I got a new one, Ford or Dodge. But I have no regrets, and have been very happy the last 8 years and 115k miles.

The only thing I would do different, is get a stick and 3:73's; I like gear jammin, and this Cummins does not need the 4:11's I got. I got the auto because my wife had injured her knee real bad surgery ect. Turned out I should have talked to her more; she drives a stick no problem.

I don't mean that to imply the rest of the truck is junk, as some might say.
What I mean is that the engine is outstanding and the rest of the truck is average.

So if Cummins was pulled, sales would plummet 50%, simply because their loyal customers buy the Cummins diesel engine first, the rest of the truck is no better than GM or ford.