MotorTrend Tests the 1500's
The article The resident RAM and EcoDiesel haters might not want to read this.
Forum Discussion
otrfun wrote:Turtle n Peeps wrote:Point taken.otrfun wrote:IMHO it won't matter. They will sell tons just because there is a big C on the fender. It won't matter whether the truck is good, bad or ugly.......it will sell because of the big CFishOnOne wrote:IMO, the market for the Toyota & Nissan (T&N) V8 Cummins will be determined solely by payload and tow capacity.
. . . It'll be interesting to see what market is targeted by the Nissan Titan and the Toyota Tundra with the Cummins approach with more HP and Torque with perhaps less fuel economy than the Eco Diesel.
If the payload remains in the 1/2 ton area (1300-1500 lbs.), it'll have a very rough time competing with the V6 Ecodiesel's higher MPG's.
If T&N can get the payload above 2,000 lbs. (tow capacity 12k lbs.), IMO they'll do well. To be able to offer near 3/4 ton capability with projected low 20 highway MPG's will fill a nice void in the market.
It'll be interesting to see how T&N will market their V8 Cummins trucks. IMO, their only option is to market them as 1/2 tons or Heavy Duty 1/2 tons (if they can bump up the payload/tow capacity). Otherwise, (as 3/4 tons) they'll be slaughtered by the Big 3 diesel marketing machine--labeled as the wimpiest 3/4 ton ever (less HP and torque).
However, if the Cummins name has that kind of marketing power, why did Ram pass on the "Big C" for the Ecodiesel?
IMO, MPG, payload, and tow capacity, are the real Big 3 in the average consumer's mind.
Who knows? Price? Contract? Ram had their own in house diesel so they could save some $$$$? But it was a HUGE marketing error on their part IMHO. It happens all the time.
Remember "Edsel or the New Coke?"
Cummins has a huge almost cult like following much like Cat.
I agree with you on the payload. It can't be a grocery getter like the Goat diesel.
As far as fuel mileage goes, if I had a dime for every time someone one on here said they don't give a rats a** about fuel mileage I wouldn't have to work again. Some people have a lot of money I guess?
I guess one would have to, to pay 55 grand for a half ton pickup! :E
On edit: What's up with the formatting on this site? Weird!
