FarmGirl10":2zzzuqa7 said:
I heard, although I have not looked into it, that the contract between Dodge and Cummins is almost up. Whether this is true or not I don't know, but I could see Ford trying to get the contract.
The contract is done in 2011 or 2012 (my aging memory fails me). I don't think you'll ever see a Cummins in the light duty Ford, at least not for many moons. My reasons for this guess are:
1) Everytime the Cummins/Dodge contract has come up for renewal, its been done immediately. Often times its been done several years in advance. The last renewal was in 2003, and while Ford was still married to Navistar, they were in the middle of their issues with the 6.0. It would have been good timing.
2) Cummins is currently developing a small v6 for the 1500 Dodge, to be installed MY 2010. Wouldn't be very cost effective for either company to consider killing a 20 year relationship after all the R&D costs.
3) The "official" automotive press hasn't even suggested that Cummins was looking elsewhere.
4) Cummins just recently hired 400 more people to look after light diesels.
5) Ford spent a pile of money on developing their own diesel. They'd have to recoup that investment before they ever signed up with another company. The 2012 date that Ford would have sign by is just too close.
6) 100% speculation on my part: Given how much the cost of the Cummins option has risen in the Dodge trucks since 1988 (well past inflationary pressures), I get the feeling the contract between Dodge and Cummins is pretty fair for Cummins. Along the lines of "We're going to charge you THIS much. Any problems with that?". Ford on the other hand has a reputation for being pretty aggressive when dealing with its suppliers. Cummins is alot of things, but they ain't stupid. They know they have Dodge by the short 'n' curlies. While they'd certainly sell more engines to Ford, it would be at a much lower margin. Being able to stroke your own cheque has certain rewards too. Many companies would rather sell 100,000 engines and know they'll make money with every single one rather than sell 500,000 engines and wonder if they'll actually make money or not.
Rod