Nissan, Cummins Conspire On 2016 Titan Pickup

You probably know Columbus-based Cummins for diesel engines in heavy-duty Ram pickups and over-the-road semis.  The engine builder was founded in 1919 by Clessie Cummins and Columbus businessman W. G. Irwin.  Its first successful diesel was the 1933 Model H used in small railroad switchers, but Cummins became a leader in heavy duty truck engines during World War II.  In 2014, Cummins posted sales of $19.2 Billion and employed 54,600 globally.  Despite this, its cooperation with truck-challenged Nissan is garnering more attention.

Nissan, Cummins Exploit Niche

To say the Nissan Titan faces headwinds would be the ultimate understatement.  Only 7,175 of the trucks were sold in the U.S. YTD July.  Putting that in perspective, it's about 10% of Toyota Tundra sales during the same period or 1.5% of GM's combined sales.  With an all-new truck coming in 2016, Nissan was looking for a way to stand out from the crowd.  Discussions with truck owners revealed a niche between light-duty "half-ton" pickups and heavy-duty "three-quarter-ton" models.

"We got to the Titan XD by talking to both 1/2-ton and 3/4-ton customers to get their input on the next Titan," said Rich Miller, Chief Product Specialist - Titan.  "The 1/2-ton customer said they wanted a diesel engine without moving up too a 3/4-ton truck and 3/4-ton customers asked for something less expensive with better eide quality, improved fuel economy, and trailer-towing performance.  We went to Cummins and asked if they had an engine that could do that."

They did.  Cummins' expertise centered on inline six-cylinder diesels like the 5.9-liter and 6.7-liter units employed by Ram since 1989, but it just happened to have a smaller 5.0-liter V8 diesel under development when Nissan came calling.  It's the perfect size to fit in the engine bay of a full-size pickup while producing 320 horsepower and 555 lb.-ft. of torque - enough to tow 12,000 lbs. and haul 2,000 lbs. of payload.  Nissan did not release figures, but claims fuel economy will be 20% better than comparably-capable gasoline engines.  Still, do not expect the 29-MPG delivered by the light-duty Ram EcoDiesel.

The strategy to exploit unexplored space between light- and heavy-duty meant doing more than partnering with Cummins for a diesel engine.  There will actually be two Titans:  A "regular" model and Titan XD with beefier frame, chassis, and brakes.  That may sound a lot like a heavy duty truck, but it's not.

Titan Threads The Needle

Let's use Ram for comparison.  Ram 1500 (1/2-ton) in its most capable configurations can tow up to 10,650 lbs. and offers 1,900 lbs. payload.  Titan XD handles more.  On the other side of the divide, Ram 2500 (3/4-ton) can move up to 17,970 lbs. of trailer and 3,970 lbs. payload with a 6.7-liter Cummins diesel and 6.4-liter HEMI respectively.  I used Ram for comparison, but GM and Ford have a similar staggering of specs.  Toyota does not offer a heavy-duty truck.  Titan threads the needle nicely.

To prepare for production of the new V8, Cummins overhauled 500,000 sq. ft. of its original plant in Columbus with state-of-the-art equipment and assembly processes that employ a dedicated focus on safety, quality, and lean production.  During a recent tour, it was obvious that everybody from floor-level hourly employees to company leadership are engaged in making this partnership a good deal for all.  And, that makes it a good deal for Indiana.

"We're proud to be able to partner with Nissan and to provide this engine," said Wayne Ripberger, Plant Manager, Cummins.  "We will soon ship engines to Nissan's plant in Canton, Mississippi and sell lots of them!"

Building a lighter-duty diesel engine is nothing new for Cummins.  Back in 1936, Clessie Cummins took his family's 1936 Cadillac convertible sedan, transplanted a Cummins Model A diesel for the car's original V8, and took it on vacation to Florida.  After years of storage at Cummins headquarters, the car was recommissioned.  With little more than an oil change and inspection, it fired right up.  Let's hope the relationship between Nissan and Cummins proves as durable.

Sales of the Cummins-powered 2016 Nissan Titan begin later this year; prices TBA.

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