Although most U.S. car buyers aren’t completely sold on the merits of a modern clean diesel, it looked as though the diesel engine would finally find a home with light-duty truck buyers. General Motors, Dodge and Ford have vowed to have a diesel option ready for U.S. truck buyers by 2010, but a new report indicates the Blue Oval could be having second thoughts about a diesel-powered F-150 pickup.

According to PickupTrucks.com, Ford has thrown its diesel F-150 plans into neutral. Ford announced earlier this year that it would offer a diesel option for the F-150 sometime in 2010, but the Dearborn-based automaker is currently rethinking those plans due to the high price of diesel fuel.

“We’re TBD on diesel-engine timing (for the F-150),” Doug Scott, Ford’s truck and SUV marketing manager, told PickupTrucks.com.

Ford’s 4.4L diesel powerplant was earmarked for F-150 duty sometime in 2010, but high prices at the pump are curtailing any business cases for the oil burner. Although the 4.4L – which makes 320 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque – is about 20 percent more fuel-efficient than its gasoline counterpart, diesel prices are hovering about 21 percent higher than gas prices, negating any MPG gains.

Ford has also become concerned with the added price associated with diesel engine production. In order to meet strict emissions standards, diesels are saddled with extra emissions equipment, making production that much more expensive. Because of this – and the slumping economy — Ford has already seen a trend away from diesel in its heavy-duty pickups, with diesel take rates slipping from 70 percent to 55 percent.

However, a diesel F-150 hasn’t been completely ruled out. The 4.4L is still waiting in the wings and Dodge and GM are still moving forward with their light-duty diesel plans. But if diesel prices continue to linger well above gas prices, don’t hold your breath for a diesel F-150.






Ford rethinking diesel F-150

 

 

They're making a big mistake. A big, big mistake.

 

Yeah people just dont understand the benefits of having a diesel, yeah i get it diesel is a little more expensive but if you can afford a brand new truck chances are you can afford the fuel to put in it, and the dang thing will last for 500-750,000 miles without a rebuild (at least i hope they would) where as a gasser will last what maybe 200,000?? Plus they are alot more effecient in the MPG's

 

BUT just maybe, FORD is worried, that the F150 mite take some sales from the F250 & F350, There are people like me that want a DIESEL because they don't break-down much, and will last over 300,000 miles, I don't TOW, PULL, or RACE with my truck, I only have it as a family hauler.