Clean-Diesel Vehicles on the Rise
Sales jumped in the first half of 2012; plans are in place for 15 new such models in coming years.
Just as hybrid car sales have spiked recently -- there's been a 63.5 percent increase so far this year -- clean-diesel vehicles have experienced a burst in popularity as well. Overall, clean-diesel sales increased by nearly 28 percent during the first half of 2012, and certain car models have been dominated by clean-diesel sales. With gas prices hitting an all-time high this year, clean-diesel cars, which are 20 to 40 percent more fuel-efficient than gasoline models, have lured buyers looking to save on fuel. But the trend began nearly two years ago; according to PR Newswire, clean-diesel sales have been on the upswing for 22 of the past 23 months.
"While this is significantly less than the 50 percent diesel sales rate in Europe, it does indicate that Americans are taking a renewed interest as more diesels are being introduced into the U.S. market," Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum, told PR Newswire.
Perhaps in anticipation of new federal fuel-efficiency standards that will require a fleetwide 54.5 mpg average by 2025, automakers will be rolling out roughly 15 new clean-diesel vehicles over the next couple of years.
Audi plans to offer clean-diesel options for four more of its models starting in 2013 and 2014; Mazda will introduce a clean-diesel car; and General Motors will roll out Cadillac ATS and Chevy Cruze diesels. It's possible we'll be able to find MINI Coopers, Kia Optimas and Jaguar and Land Rover models with clean-diesel powertrains soon, as well.
It’s about time more cars in the US are available with a Diesel engine. It kills me that many of “our” auto makers like “Ford” offer cars like the Focus overseas with a Diesel engine but they do not offer the same car in the US with the same Diesel engine. Anyone looking for Diesels knows that for many years if you wanted a Diesel your choice was a VW or a Benz. I have driven Diesel powered cars for most of my life because I just love them. It is true that the old Diesels lacked in several ways like performance and that noticeable black smoke coming out the back but with the common rail method of injection Diesel things improved. performance and even fuel economy got better as engine noise was reduced as was the amount of smoke from the exhaust. Also unless the engine is very cold no more heating up the glow plugs. Today the car I drive most often is a 1987 Mercedes Benz 300D Turbo which, has the old method of injecting Diesel but with the Turbo being spooled up at 2300rpm the car pulls very strong whenever you put your foot down. Even though with the age of my old Diesel Benz I still get 35mpg running the highways at 75mph or so and on the back roads at speeds around 45mph I can get 42mpg. I feel that is impressive for a big and heavy 26yo Benz with a inline 6 cylinder 3L engine. My Benz is nearing 300,000 miles and not that I am saying I have done it but the car is able to hit 125mph just 3mph shy of her top speed when she was new. When you consider that I have never had to spend money on any major repair and my Diesel has never let me down it is hard for me to understand why people would walk past the well proven track record of a Diesel “remembering that the 1st Diesel powered car was a 1936 Mercedes Benz” for a Hybrid.
Rich D.
I have been driving VW clean diesels since 2009, had a Jetta and now a Golf. I only turned the Jetta in because I was leasing it and was over my mileage limitation.
Let me say this...Both of these vehicles have been 100% flawless. The only out of pocket I have had was for extra oil changes (VW pays for oil changes every 10k and maintenance). I also achieve 50 mpg+ freeway driving. 600 miles per tank, and the best part these don't smell or smoke like diesels of yesteryear. No rattle rattle noise either. I forget I am driving a diesel!
GM single-handedly ruined the American customer's perception of diesel powered vehicles in the US. With their poorly designed 5.7L and 4.3L Olds diesel and 6.2L & 6.5L diesel truck offerings, American and Asian manufacturers would not bring the diesel automobile to US markets. There have been many optional diesel powered cars in non-US markets that give 40 to 60 mpg for decades and we will finally start to see them here here in 2013. About time. Thanks General Motors.
Diesel powered vehicles are the way to go.
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