Automotive News and other sources are reporting that due new diesel emissions laws taking effect in 2010, that GM will temporarily halt production of the 6.6 liter Duramax engines for their Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Heavy Duty pickups.
GM will overbuild a supply of the engines through mid-December to provide a stock pile for future production into 2010. Engines built before December 31st can be installed into vehicles built in 2010 as long as the supply lasts. It is believed however that the availability of the diesel powered pickups will dry up in the first 4-5 months of 2010 until the new re-tuned engines start production in April 2010.
The new “LML” Duramax V-8 engine will use urea selective catalytic reduction to meet tough new EPA rules that limit nitrogen oxide emissions. GM had gotten behind on the engineering of the new engines in the past year due to their financial woes, causing the 4-5 month lag time in getting the new engines into production.
This means that if you want a Duramax Chevrolet or GMC you ought to be getting busy as soon as possible. Because any leverage to get a deal on one will be gone once they are far and few on the lots.
