end of the Titan?

[haven]

I saw a news report on the AutoWeek and PickupTruck.com web sites that says Nissan will start selling the re-designed Dodge Ram 1500 pickup next year. In exchange, Chrysler will buy a new small car that will be built in a Nissan plant in Japan starting in 2010.

Previously, Nissan announced a deal to provide Suzuki with a version of the Frontier pickup.

Here's a link
http://www.pickuptruck.com/html/news/nissan/titan/chryslertitan2.html

 

[mountainpete]

Press release about the new Chrysler/Nissan relationship:

Chrysler LLC and Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. issued the following press release on Monday:

AUBURN HILLS, Mich / TOKYO (April 14, 2008) – Chrysler LLC and Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., today announced two new agreements for the supply of products between both companies. In January, Nissan agreed to supply Chrysler with a new car based on the Nissan Versa sedan for limited distribution in South America on an Original Equipment Manufacture (OEM) basis in 2009.

This new OEM exchange benefits both companies through range extension and the utilization of global manufacturing capacity. Highlights of the new agreement:

Nissan will manufacture an all-new, fuel-efficient small car based on a unique Chrysler concept and design. This new segment entry for Chrysler will be sold in North America, Europe and other global markets in 2010, and manufactured at Nissan's Oppama Plant in Japan.

Chrysler will manufacture a full-size pickup for Nissan. Based on a Nissan unique design, this truck will be manufactured at Chrysler's Saltillo (Mexico) Assembly Plant. In order to accommodate this product, Chrysler will shift volume from Mexico to its U.S.-based assembly plants that produce pickup trucks. Sales of the pickup in North America will start in 2011.

This latest OEM supply agreement extends a long standing product exchange relationship between the two corporations, with Nissan affiliate JATCO already supplying Chrysler with transmissions since 2004.

"Forging the right tactical partnerships is critical to the long-term success of Chrysler," said Tom LaSorda, Chrysler LLC President and Vice Chairman. "It also builds on the Company's inherent strengths, including the ability to respond rapidly and creatively to emerging opportunities."

"In January, we said we would continue to look for additional OEM opportunities with Chrysler," said Carlos Tavares, Executive Vice President, Nissan Motor Company. "This latest agreement builds on Nissan's proven track record to deliver win-win product exchanges with multiple manufacturers around the world," continued Tavares.
Since the signing of the first OEM agreement in January, the two companies have also agreed to maintain an open dialogue to explore further product-sharing opportunities.

Plus, the Jeep Commander is on thin ice: http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/14/jeep-commander-could-meet-its-demise-in-2009/

 

[nat88toy]

WOW that is just plain sad

 

[canucksafari]

More news to convince me the 15 year old JDMs are the way to go. I was dreaming of a SFA diesel Nissan pickup in 2-4 years - not a self destruct Mopar product.

 

[Haggis]

More news to convince me the 15 year old JDMs are the way to go. I was dreaming of a SFA diesel Nissan pickup in 2-4 years - not a self destruct Mopar product.

Can't speak for them all, but my Dad's Titan has been a complete nightmare. Front brakes are a constant problem, Front axles shafts both broke around 40,000, rear diff went out at 50,000. exhaust fell of at 70,000, auto tranny went out at 80,000, cheap interior panels have been popping lose the whole time, and the rear door latch linkages on both sides have broken. Meanwhile his old '01 Dodge is now driven by my brother and now has almost 200,000 miles on it and other than a tranny swap at 150,000 it's still trucking along just fine.

I guess one shouldn't make broad generalizations about any vehicle because there isn't a perfect truck and all makes dump a lemon from time to time.

 

[boblynch]

I'm always sorry to see less choice in the market, particularly from a company that was flirting with increasing our diesel options. Maybe this will free them up to offer a more ExPo-ready diesel Frontier, but I doubt it.

Mark, your real-world specifics vs. broad generalizations and brand bashing are why I tune in to ExPo. Thanks for sharing. I'm sure those Titusville winters don't help on the vehicle wear and tear (I grew up in Meadville beating on every model of old truck). Small world...

 

[Haggis]

I'm always sorry to see less choice in the market, particularly from a company that was flirting with increasing our diesel options. Maybe this will free them up to offer a more ExPo-ready diesel Frontier, but I doubt it.

Mark, your real-world specifics vs. broad generalizations and brand bashing are why I tune in to ExPo. Thanks for sharing. I'm sure those Titusville winters don't help on the vehicle wear and tear (I grew up in Meadville beating on every model of old truck). Small world...

Nice to know theres another (former) NW PA boy around here. I gave my Dodge a good spring cleaning the other day and after cutting through the layers of winter crud found some rust spots starting. Now I've got more work to do to the old boy.

My Dad's Titan is an awesome truck for what he uses it for, mainly for getting him to one of his many hunting trips across this country. The engine is killer and it tows really well with the Big Tow package. It's just the reliabilty issues that have gotten out of hand.

 

[lowenbrau]

It seems, from the press release, that it is a Nissan design rather than re-badged Dodge. Perhaps the new Titan will simply be assembled at a Dodge plant.

 

[canucksafari]

It seems, from the press release, that it is a Nissan design rather than re-badged Dodge. Perhaps the new Titan will simply be assembled at a Dodge plant.

I don't think that thought would make me feel any better about buying a Dodge built Nissan. Although Nissan with some of its products have been pretty lousy. Look no further than the 3L gas engine which for a decade was blowing manifold studs and warping manifolds to their 3 L self exploding diesel engine. They never did accept responsibility for the design defect of the 3 L gas engine. The 3 L diesel grenade they finally accepted responsibility for in Australia. That said, I think the fit an finish is a lot better on the Nissan products than the Dodge. The people who build it have a lot to do with that.

 

[system-f]

the 3L gas engine which for a decade was blowing manifold studs and warping manifolds

The VG30? Or are you reffering to some other Nissan Gasoline engine?

 

[canucksafari]

The VG30? Or are you reffering to some other Nissan Gasoline engine?

Yes, that is the one. From the 300 SX to the Pathfinder to the Quest it was always the same thing for well over a decade of production. Even when Nissan came out with an upgraded stud, these would also fail over time. Best studs were aftermarkat. Personally, I think it was a problem to keep the shops earning money. The failures always seemed to be at around the 150,000 kms to 200,000 kms.