me1magoo wrote:
Everything with a diesel engine has jumped ridiculously in the last few years due to EPA regulations requiring so much more equipment (R&D and materials to control emissions). DPF, DEF systems, etc, etc are not easy to design nor are the materials cheap or easy to build. I work with construction equipment. 2 years ago and new backhoe cost about $45k, last year $48k, this year $60k. A new dozer- 2 years ago $55k, last year $59k, this year $75k. A new 50,000 lb excavator- 2 years ago $135k, last year $140k, this year $165k. So new trucks going up from $40k to $55k in the last three or four years makes complete sense to me. DPF systems and DEF treatment costs a LOT of money and there is no one to thank for that more than our federal government EPA making the restrictions tighter and tighter (not that we don't need emissions standards, but they are the ones forcing the manufacturers to come up with "new" ideas).
I can believe that construction equipment diesel technology was out of date with major costs increases in the last few years. Also sales volume might results in huge price increases. But the big 3 have been on a diesel improvement path for many years and not everything dictated by emissions (Cummins noise level for example). Anyway, my 10 year price increase of 28% is Duramax to Duramax. I shopped aggressively for both prices, maybe too many buyers are too quick to just accept thru the roof pricing on new trucks.
