Found this information out this morning.

Cummins Inc. announced this morning that it would close the Columbus MidRange Engine Plant at Walesboro, In laying off about 610 workers.

The plant, which produces engines for Dodge Ram trucks, will be idled during the Chrysler bankruptcy.

Other layoffs announced today, but unrelated to Chrysler, include: 30 at Fuel Systems, 30 at Columbus Engine Plant and 50 at the Industrial Center in Seymour.

I work about 2 miles from the MidRange engine plant and know quite a few people who work there.

Sad times around these parts right now.

 

Well you got a figure that they have too many in Surplus also. Usually your motor dates 1-2 years older than you truck. So with slow sales. And not sure what they will cut out. Its a smart business move.

 

Since when? My engine was made the same month my truck was built.

 

I'll have to look again but IIRC, my engine was built within one month of the truck build date.


With todays JIT (Just In time) manufacturing, I do not think they would have anything more than just a few months out. Maybe several years ago they would stock pile parts that would remain the same but I just don't see it now.

 

It's pretty typical for suppliers to halt production during a bankruptcy of the company they are supplying. Best to let the dust settle before the supply train starts up again. No guarantees you'll be paid.

BTW, that's why the 2010s are being delayed:

http://www.autoweek.com/article/2009...NEWS/905049977

 

My 94 had a 92 Block in it. Cummins says its normal for the motor to be older.

 

Say NO to foriegn Diesels

 

I live not far from the Chrysler truck plant here in MO, I know what you mean. Already closed a Ford plant and the GM plant might get the axe now. Tough times, got to be ready to make changes, like it or not.

 

It makes sense to idle production. No use piling up engines for trucks that arent currently being made to house them.

Build date of my engine: 7/13/06
Build date of truck: 8/06

 

Also no sense delivering engines to a customer who might not have to pay for them (in chapter 11).

If I were in charge of Cummins, I'd be thinking engines don't go out the door until cold hard cash comes in the door.

 

That is exactly what is going on. I bet Cummins isn't the only company that sells to Dodge that shut down until this all gets worked out. I could see Chrysler owing Cummins a bunch of $$$ as it is that won't get paid. Things like this would void any contract between the two.

Be curious to see were things sit in a couple of years. There might end up being something different under the hood, if they even keep making a diesel option. Under chapter 11, Chrysler doesn't exactly get to make that call anymore, the auditors do.

J.D.

 

My self I would never buy any new car or truck that had an engine in it that was 2 years older then the model year of the vehicle.

JMHO