Quote:
Originally Posted by van isle
Yes you are right now diesel are only offered in 3/4 ton trucks and larger , and thus do not have a mpg rating . The reason all the 1/2 ton truck manufacturares are coming out with smaller diesel for there 1/2 tons is so they can lower there average MPG for the new CAFE rules that include 1/2 tons into the mix . But with a 5-6000 price preimum who is going to buy them with diesel selling for more at the pumps as well .  |
Good call - that's the main motivation for offering a diesel in a half ton. It's not so much power or performance. Diesel is probably the best existing technology available to increase truck fuel economy.
As far as cost goes, here's the lay of the land with other diesels:
Dodge Ram $6100 for the Cummins, $400 for the diesel's automatic transmission = $6500 total.
GMC 2500HD $7,195 for the Duramax, $1,200 for the diesel automatic = $8400 total.
Ford F250 $6,895 for the Powerstroke, $1,490 for the diesel automatic = $8,385 total.
The diesel engine options from the Big 3 average about $7000 (sticker).
The Tundra doesn't require a special transmission (the current 6 speed used with the 5.7 also works with the 4.5 diesel), so that saves about $1000.
Considering that Toyota has an incentive to sell the diesel engine more than the gas (in order to raise their fleet fuel economy rating), perhaps they discount the diesel a little...say $4000 on the sticker? Perhaps economies of scale kick in (because the same engine is being used in three different vehicles) and drop the price a little more...could we see $3,000 on the sticker? At that price, the incentive to buy a diesel (from a fuel cost basis) is pretty significant.
Until we see the cost on the 09 LandCruiser diesel being sold in Canada, it will be hard to make an intelligent guess.
Shout out to OTR - I love the break down - that's how I roll!
Seriously, I'm a numbers guy. However, I have to say the math doesn't really work out for most of the current 3/4 and 1 ton diesel buyers. The fuel economy isn't too good on the big diesels (most get 16-18), and maintaining those beasts is pricey ($120 oil changes aren't uncommon). Still, Ford, Chevy, and Dodge sell the hell out of them.
Someone here said you need a 6-figure income to drive a new diesel, and I think that's sort of true. Big diesel trucks (especially with lots of features) are definitely status symbols. I think Toyota is hoping they can pull some of those "status" buyers into a half ton.