why bother with developing a good, heavy duty diesel when the Transit will have the 5 cylinder diesel that should port over no problem?

 

Ram is expecting a 10-15% take rate with their diesel. I don't think this is going to be the bonanza you guys are expecting.

 

10-15% take rate fleet wide or just in the Ram 1500's?

 

I don't believe Ford needs to compete with Ram or anyone who is looking to put a diesel in a 1/2ton. I think Ford just needs to commit to making the 3.5TT an even more reliable/durable/low maintenance/low problematic truck. If Ford can look at the issues that have arisen from the 11-14's and eliminate these issues moving forward they would continue to keep there market share..Who would want the extra maint/cost of a diesel when they could get the tow/haul power in an EB.. Ford just make it (EB) the best it can be and shut the comp out!

 

Ram 1500 with ecodiesel

 

Makes sense. The EB has a take rate of about 40%+. I'm wondering how that will look when the 2.7L comes to market. With four engines, two EB's, it could be closer to 55%. I'm still not convinced that dropping the 6.2L was the right answer, at least not yet.

 

Dropping the 6.2 was a seriously bad idea right now. A consumer demands choices for the money they want for a new rig nowadays!

 

Agreed. Even with t he 6.2L gone for next year, Ford still offers more engine / trim level choices than any other truck maker. I just don't how it would have hurt to offer in the top trim trucks only like they used to.

 

You betcha it would sell.....what percentage diesel 3/4 and 1-tons ever haul more than momma's groceries, or tow more than a jetski? Yes, it's obviously more in some places than others... but that's reality.

 

Even though 3/4 and 1 ton diesels sometimes rarely see work, they were usually purchased with the intention of hard work. Very few buy a diesel knowing they aren't ever going to do anything with it. The F-150 market is a little different. They are either bought by people knowing they are primarily family haulers that occasionally haul stuff, or they are bought and worked to the max since they are cheaper initial costs. I don't think the diesel would sell as well in the 150 for that reason. Plus the regulation lets more power and efficiency come from an Ecoboost for cheaper. The Ram Ecodiesel is pitiful in the numbers department.

 

I'm not ashamed to say that my truck hauls nothing heavier than my daughters 95% of the time. I could easily get away with a Flex, except for the five times a year I pull my trailer, and even that is a long way under the trucks capabilities.

 

15 - 20 years ago when I was driving those great turbo diesel four cylinders in Japan in big vans, I was also wishing for half ton diesel American truck. EPA - no more. They've messed it up good for us. No reason except for them to have diesel fuel costing so much, and that awful ethanol mess in our gasoline! Hate that mess!!

 

Be careful what you wish for. Our diesel engine man is always neck deep in diesel repair.

 

I don't understand why there have to be so many asinine exhaust "cleaning" systems when diesel exhaust isn't as bad as gas exhaust for the environment.

 

Three ridiculous letters - EPA.

I love nature. But EPA is ridiculous.