Sounds like Nissan is bailing, Toyota is seriously reconsidering:

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl...2009/1528/FREE

 

Dang, I was really hoping to see what Nissan would bring to the table. I realize our trucks don't get 40mpg but isnt the truck market one of the largest in north america at the moment? My dad's 04' Titan has been awesome so far (86,xxxkms). Dissapointing to say the least, competition builds better product

 

My guesses at why Nissan and Toyota are supposedly pulling the plug:

1. They suspect high fuel prices are here to stay, and the HD truck market will flatten out or decline. HD trucks are perceived as gas guzzlers by the general public (yet mine gets better MPGs than my younger brother's Tacoma) and may no longer be profitable. The shear number of '06 HD trucks on dealer lots may confirm this.

2. Meeting 2008 EPA diesel emission regs is just not worth the effort involved. It's too insurmountable to design an engine in-house, yet the out-of house route has large risks. Look at Ford and the problems they are having with their outside engine supplier.

 

Bummer....i was kinda lookin forward to seeing what they would come with.

 

Chrysler seems to be doing well enough with Cummins and GM with the Duramax.

 

I just watched on the Ford site a design and maintainance video for new Ford diesel truck owners.
Truly scarey.
These new emission diesel are extremely, extremely complex and maintenance heavy.(Cummins and DMax probably in the same ballpark)
I really think the days of the recreational diesel, or diesel just because I want one are coming to an end, at least for the time being.
That new Ford is more complex than the moon space program.
Of course we said all this when emmision controls started to really show up on gassers starting big time in the 80's..they work well now...but only time will tell.
If you absolutely must have a diesel for commercial or farm use (there are lots on this site who must)then you must..but for the rest of us (there are lots on this site who don't really need a diesel)...certainly not a good choice now.
I can certainly understand why Toyota and Nissan are taking a second look before sinking billions of dollars in what will probably be a vastly shinking market.
The next few years will be interesting in the 2500/3500 diesel market.

 

You know that DC, Ford, and GM just sighed a breath of relief!

If you ask me, right now would have been the perfect time for a Nissan or Toyota HD. All three are in financially difficult times (DC seems to be in the least amount) and the public knows it. I would bet that the average truck buyer at some point will at least wonder about a foreign truck.

Maybe its just me, but I feel that the diesel truck market right now is at its weakest state in years (thanks EPA). All three have new engines and its anyone's game. I bought a 2007 with the 5.9 before it was too late. Really couldn't afford it right now but I didn't want to get into this new mess. I bought my Dodge without even considering anyone else, but if I had to purchase a post-emissions truck then I would be open to anyone.

If I was either one of these companies I would launch my emissions-ready diesel today. It would be as simple an engine as I could make it and still meet the requirements. (I.E. straight six... easy maintenance...). It doesn't need to be a CAT or anything else. Although that would certainly help the INITIAL cause... wouldn't mean squat down the road. A CAT would bring buyers in initially but wouldn't do much for them if it was a so-so engine. Put a Hino in there and it may not have the initial "wow" but if its reliable it will have "wow" in less than 2 years.

 

Hopefully DC willl get going on a light duty diesel for the Durango. Wife has been wanting a diesel Armada for over a year now. She's "gotta pull the boat and have a place for all her stuff"

 

They're coming in 2009 or 2010....

 

Well, yeah. I mean they're already in the game. They've proven the buisness case. I meant for an outsider to get in the HD diesel truck game- who's going to build your engine? Cat, nope. Detriot, nope. MB, nope....

 

Go back a few related topics and see if ole JyRO didn't tell you so. I worked in Toyota in design. I sniffed around to see what was in store with their trucks. And HD's and diesels were nowhere to be found (in all that I sniffed through).