Heavy Duty Titan On The Way!

[ss350z]

http://www.maxxforce.com/products/de...d=1&itemid=001

[ss350z]

Here is the actual article. It doesn't say anything about cancelling the Titan HD.


Report: Toyota, Nissan Shelve Heavy-Duty Truck Plans...For Now
Date posted: 09-26-2006

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Japan's top two automakers reportedly have delayed or shelved programs to build new heavy-duty pickups in the United States.

According to the trade publication Automotive News, Toyota has indefinitely delayed a new HD truck that it was jointly developing with Hino, its commercial-truck affiliate, that had been scheduled to begin production in 2009. In addition, Nissan now doesn't plan to bring its new HD pickup to market before 2009 at the earliest, the paper said.

In the meantime, Ford is rolling out a redesigned Super Duty pickup in spring 2007. The redesigned heavy-duty Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups will arrive from General Motors about the same time.

The news report did not say why Toyota had scrubbed its HD truck project. It said Nissan had originally planned to build a HD version of its current Titan full-size pickup but ultimately decided the existing platform could not support the extra payload requirements.

Supplier sources tell Inside Line that the next-generation Titan will be launched in late 2009 or early 2010, and a heavy-duty version is part of the program.

Toyota's redesigned Tundra full-size pickup goes into production in early 2007, but will not include a heavy-duty variant.

What this means to you: The boys over at GM, Ford and Chrysler just got a minor victory for themselves in the battle against market share losses.

[Not_Important]

I can't say more than I have without breaking my NDA. What I've said is in the public automotive press (but premium content without links so if anyone is reading Crain's Automotive News they may have caught it). The quoted article was so right on about Toyota and Nissan it was scary because neither company admitted the programs were canceled to the suppliers until later (Oct for Toyota and Dec for Nissan).

Toyota's reasoning is there were huge launch issues with the platform and extending the platform to include the Hino engine was pushing the limits of what they could expect to accomplish. Nissan's reasoning, well I cannot go there because NDA's but you can imagine $3/gal fuel had quite a bit to do with it.

Today, ITEC announced 400 people will be laid off. The current status of extending the existing Titan platform to include a diesel is definitely on the rocks if for no other reason. ITEC is a horrible company to work with (zero program management skill) and after you let 400 people go, it can only get worse.

[ss350z]

Well, it sounds like you know what your talking about. That is too bad, because, I know a lot of people would like a good diesel, as well as a heavier duty truck. My next truck will need to be heavy duty, which would probably mean going back to Chevy.

[54warrior]

Just when I thought we had the big three backed into a corner :-(

[ss350z]

Any of you guys at the Titan factory have any input on this? What's new with the Heavy Duty and Diesel options?

[Not_Important]

http://www.titantalk.com/forums/niss...l-titan-2.html

jljue is on the right track. Unfortunately, the plant guys won't have much info as the vehicles are developed in Japan, released to NA engineering and finally to the plant. The earliest they'll be seeing anything is (if it even happens) early next year.

[sprintn]

Originally Posted by Not_Important

I can't say more than I have without breaking my NDA.

Slightly off the topic, but I HATE NDA's. I spent years in USAF SPEC OPS. I can't count the # of them that I had to sign. Then, the final one that said I wouldn't talk/write/film anything for the next 99 years. I hope yours is not 99 years.

[Derwud]

Yep the HD has been shelved. Cost of fuel and "other" problems have this one on the back burner for a while.

[sprintn]

Very sad that Nissan has delayed/ shelved the HD. Toyota is touting their new Tundra with the HP, TQ, Tranny, Brakes, and Ford is putting the 450 on the front pages, even Chevy is pouring on their HD with the redesign and ALLISON tranny, lets not forget the formidible DODGE CUMMINS Mega Cab. Is Nissan listening?
I do realise the HD market is a small, but growing segment of the market.
Nissan could make a niche for itself in the HD realm. Imagine loyal Titan customers (despite early flaws) that want a HD and want it to be a NISSAN.
We love our trucks, and gas/ diesel prices are what they are..... I see tons of new trucks on the road everyday........

[ss350z]

I would guess that they decided to wait on the HD until they come out with the all new redesigneded Titan, which is, I believe, going to be a 2010 model, problably coming out in fall 2009. I don't have any real solid info just based on the bits of info that I have read. In one article they said that they were afraid that some of the current Titan parts wouldn't handle the increased weight etc, so that would mean that can't just upgrade springs, rear end etc. on the current truck.

[DESERTDOG]

That sucks!!!!!!!!

[MotoQT]

Newbie here, with a Titan. Found something interesting today, but it wont let me post the URL since this is my first post. Just copy and paste and add www infront of URL if you want to read the entire article. The last paragraph could be of interest.

thecarconnection.com/Auto_News/Daily_Auto_News/Navistar_Ford_Feuding_Over_Diesel.S173.A11974.html

[Not_Important]

ITEC = International Truck Engine Corporation
Navistar = International Truck Engine Corporation

This is who Nissan has jumped into bed with. They're suffering serious resource, money, and program management issues right now. The 6.0L Powerstroke warranty is huge and both ITEC and Ford have a lot of culpability for those problems. I am surprised the contract dispute has gotten this far as typically Navistar has taken the punches.

[TitanBlue]

One influence on Nissan delaying until an entirely new model is introduced, may be the continued upspec'd capabiities of trucks. The HD they envisioned may not be the HD they need to bring to market. The ~10,500 Tow Capability of certain F-150 or Tundras is so far beyond the expectation of a "half ton" truck. The definition of 3/4 ton is moving up further. Better to get it competitive than just fail a year or two earlier. Basic design of the Titan is sound. Boxed frame should stay, but get beffier. By then, a 6 speed Trans for the Diesel may be required, even if just for markeing bragging rights. How often did you ever see ads for F 450 to the general public in past years?