Chrysler delays diesel for the Dodge Ram until 2011

Chrysler LLC will be delaying the launch of the light-duty Cummins diesel engine for the Dodge Ram 1500 until at least 2011. According to Frank Klegon, Chrysler’s executive vice president of product development, Chrysler is rethinking its approach to diesel emissions treatment in the light of 2010 federal standards.

The new regulations call for a 90 percent reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions from 2006. Klegon said that Chrysler is studying whether to use a catalytic converter or a urea selective catalytic reduction system.

He said that the business case in the U.S. for diesels is not that strong right now due to the high-price of diesel and the cost of hardware required to treat emissions.

Chrysler originally planned to launch the diesel version of the Dodge Ram 1500 pickup in 2010. A hybrid version of the Dodge Ram is expected in late 2009.