With all the negativity with the new model there should be some good deals from DC.

 

Not to sidetrack Ernest and his search for '07 info....but I tend to strongly agree with D. Wiggs comments about American car manufactures and the way they are doing Marketing driven buisness.

I think Daimler Chrysler would be much better off to just ignore the H.P/Torque wars and just build the best truck they can, ignoring silly marketing games these manufactures are playing! I would gladly trade having 25 added horsepower and 50 ft lbs more torque for better reliability and better fuel economy (HD lift pumps, premium universal joints/ball joints, better fuel/oil filtration, etc.) plus more integrated features (internal brake controller in a tow pkg, various OEM gauge packages, factory aux tank options, better seats, better interior leather options, etc.) anyday! If I want more HP/Torque I can easily buy that from the aftermarket performance providers.

DC shouldn't depend on incremental sales by churning its loyal customer base with staged feature improvements over pre-determined model year release plans. Lose those mid year XXXX.5 releases just to play within X% of the bragging rights game. Work on earning a bigger piece of your competitors customer base by building the best you can as soon as you can!

Simply put..."Build it right to begin with and they will come, and they will be loyal!"

With truck prices now hitting $50k+ and some of the best vehicle profit margins coming from truck sales they should be able to do this!

 

I think Daimler Chrysler would be much better off to just ignore the H.P/Torque wars and just build the best truck they can, ignoring silly marketing games these manufactures are playing! I would gladly trade having 25 added horsepower and 50 ft lbs more torque for better reliability and better fuel economy (HD lift pumps, premium universal joints/ball joints, better fuel/oil filtration, etc.) plus more integrated features (internal brake controller in a tow pkg, various OEM gauge packages, factory aux tank options, better seats, better interior leather options, etc.) anyday! If I want more HP/Torque I can easily buy that from the aftermarket performance providers.

I couldn't agree more. Think about the advantages that a better product has:

1. Better quality
2. Lower warranty costs
3. Higher customer satisfaction
4. Higher resale value
5. Higher resale value = Higher residuals = Lower lease payments

I'm a gearhead at heart and love H.P. but where do people think this will end? Should we have 800HP and 1,000 lb./ft.? Ok then you need a bigger and heavier transmission, suspension, brakes, frame, etc. etc. Oh yeah, it'll cost a bunch more too. I believe we're hitting the ceiling for performance in both cars and trucks. I agree the real opportunities are elsewhere such as different or higher options, especially the functional ones when it comes to trucks.

By the way there is a company that practices this philosophy.

It's called Toyota.

 

I doubt that will happen. Although with so much competition the aura of the "latest and greatest" doesn't stick around with buyers as long as it used to. But there will still be that effect and they usually count on a certain percentage of people to believe it.

Some just have to be the first on the block, and they're willing to pay for it.

 

Not to side track this thread, but does anyone know if DC renewed their contract with Cummins? It was set to expire in 07. If DC and cummins split ways, we're all out cold. That is the real issue that needs to be watched. A Dodge without the Cummins offering will kill all their market share unless they can get Catapillar to build them an engine.....

Nav

 

How would we be "out in the cold" if, in the future, Dodge dropped Cummins? I already have one and I don't expect it to disappear. The Dodge's are comming out with a new 6.7 Cummins soon. Their new chassis cab will have it in '07 and the regular pickups will probably have it in '07.5. A lot of work went in to the design of that engine and gettiing it certified. Why would they suddenly change their minds considering the reputation that Cummins has and what it has done for Dodge. If, someday, Dodge changes to a new engine you can bet it will be a Mercedes. There would be no reason to put a Cat engine in. The Cummins are about as good as there will ever be. Mercedes has some very good engines too, and they are famous for quality.


Wetspirit

 

I have never bought an extended waranty on anything. They are not worth the paper they are printed on to me. You'll find most of the time there are so many things not covered they don't do you any good. They just help make someone rich.

 

Exactly why I opted to buy an 06. I also was looking for a LWB 3500 Sport, but opted for the 2500 SLT so I could get a truck. I figure if and when I am ready to get a new one again all the bugs should be worked out on the new engine. I have no idea if it will be a good or bad thing, but when I was at Haisleys about a month ago Van said that he had an 06 on order as soon as he heard the news on the 07.

 

My buddy works for Freighliner truck Corp. (A division of DC), and he said many large fleets are placing larger orders to avoid the new technology.

 

Reminds me of the changes we have seen from 89 til now.
All the trucks sell and we all figure out what works best for us.
I am sure there will be a few things we as the consumer will be the test pilots for on the first year...as usual. I'm not all that concerned because in a year from now, all the 07's will be sold and something else will come up that we either want or dislike.
Who is the new interior contract with? I am guessing but we will see some more changes then just the engine and the new Aisin auto. Hopefully we get a REAL leather interior instead of front seat leather surface. I can list a bunch of other items that DC has either dropped or skimped on yet I still buy their products.
I was looking to go to a crew cab in a Ford after our baby arrived but now that I see there is a mega cab and a long bed frame in the works...I will make my choice only between the new one ton Toyota and the Dodge when I feel the time is right for me.

There are a lot of 06 trucks on the lots up here in Canada. Keep looking and you will fine what you want.

Scotty

 

Scotty,

Where did you find the info on the Mega Cab long box and the Toyota one ton? I'm interested in reading. Thanks.

 

Seconded, I was going to post the same question.

 

The frames are underway in a USA plant, I was told that by a fellow Ram owner that works in the parts sourcing business for auto manufacturers.
I got a phone call from an editor that signed a confidentiality agreement with Toyota. He was calling from the truck telling me how the big three will have a hard time competing with it. He is part of a team that is testing for the North American market.
All he was able to tell me is there will be direct competition from Toyota in the one ton market.

The guy that sources parts is a regular on this site and has bought products from me. When he told me what he did, I asked if there was any truth to the rumor of a long bed MC coming. His words where..."The frames are being done right now." I have no reason to doubt any of my sources and respect their request for privacy.

I would not post this if I doubted it.

Scotty

 

Wow... That'll be one long truck! I'd wait for it if I could have an '06 engine in it. :P

 

Scotty,

No offense intended at all. I don't doubt your sources. But, you're spending too much time with the wife again. Their wiley ways are rubbing off on you. I tell ya, feed a guy a little tidbit and cause stomach aches and internal turmoil with wondering what is precisely forthcoming. Thanks! Anymore information you come across, I'll gladly lend an ear for you to get it off your chest.