It was an awkward spot for FCA. The 5.0 Cummins is more capable than a half ton can really handle. There's already a premium for going to diesel, so the key would then need to be maximizing fuel mileage. While expected to be relatively efficient, the 5.0 will be burning a lot of extra fuel that a half ton truck can never use. It's a great engine, it just doesn't belong in a half ton.


It would actually be a great motor for a 3/4 ton truck, but FCA already has the 6.7 Cummins for those trucks. Since the price premium for the 5.0 and 6.7 would be roughly equal, how many people would really opt for the 5.0 over the 6.7? They'd be stuck with cutting the price on a 5.0 3/4 ton, which would cut into their profits.


It'll be a good move by Nissan, but only because they don't currently offer a 3/4 ton, nor a competing diesel. It'll be interesting to see how Nissan prices it, though.