In Issue 43 (page 68), we published excerpts from an Automotive News article on Ford's dissatisfaction with International's V-6 diesel engine. The conclusion to the article on Ford's quest for a V-6 diesel . . . "more of nothing. Stay tuned for further details. " I cannot provide further details, but I can provide excerpts from a May 3 Automotive News article that will lead to wild speculation. The title, "Ford Revives V-6 Diesel Plan for Trucks. " Selected quotes follow:
"Ford Motor Co. 's on-again, off-again plan to install a V-6 diesel engine on its light-duty pickups and SUVs is on again. "
"At a recent meeting in Las Vegas, Ford officials told dealers to expect a V-6 diesel engine in the F-150 pickup and Expedition SUV sometime after 2007. "
"Ford COO Jim Padilla would not confirm the company's V-6 diesel plans in an interview last week. But he did say that diesels make the most sense for big SUVs and full-sized pickups. "
"Ford was working on plans two years ago to install a diesel V-6 in the F-150 but abruptly canceled the project because the engine might not have met emissions standards. The engine was to have been supplied by International Truck and Engine Corp. , which makes the Power Stroke diesel V-8 for Ford's heavy-duty pickups. "
"One source with knowledge of Ford's diesel plans says the V-6 also is slated for the Lincoln Navigator SUV. The engine will be built by Cummins Inc. , the source says. "
"But the Ford source says the supplier of the new engine "is not a done deal. "
"Cummins has been out there aggressively trying to market their V-engine architecture," says Ed McLaughlin, an analyst who tracks diesel engines for the Automotive Technology Research Group, a consulting firm in Thousand Oaks, Calif. "
"Cummins spokesman Mark Land said his company is working on a V-6 diesel engine for light-duty trucks. He declined to identify any automakers that might buy it. "
"But Nissan and Toyota are expected to offer diesels in the Titan and Tundra light-duty pickups by the end of the decade. General Motors also has a V-6 diesel truck engine in the works but has not announced plans to use it. "