European diesel arrives in America (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

These days, most urban filling station offer diesel in both areas - though there may be just one diesel pump - yet the filling station's layout often remains as a potent symbol of a line that many Americans are loath to cross.

In a country where the "filthy fuel" is generally reviled, most would not even consider buying a diesel-powered family vehicle.

And yet, in spite of such extreme distrust in - or disgust with - diesel, European auto makers are preparing a massive onslaught of diesel-powered models that they say will help cut fuel bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 25%.

This year, for the first time, diesel-powered cars that meet the emissions regulations in all 50 states will arrive in the US, says Stefan Krause, BMW's executive director in charge of sales and marketing, in an interview with BBC News.

"If you point out the environmental friendliness of these cars and if you point out that it's more cost effective than petrol, then high performance diesels will be accepted," he predicts.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7232357.stm

[Dover]

1. They want to introduce the less efficient diesel "MUSCLE CARS"????!!!

Either these car companies are completely out of touch with the education level and desire of the typical American buyer OR they are in cahoots with the oil companies. They also don't want the higher fuel efficiency and pollution standards here that the Europeans have.

And even if they actually believe this is what consumers want, don't they feel some responsibility to change minds by leading people in the direction of fuel efficiency? They act as though they must cater to big dumb power hungry Americans rather than changing that perception (and I believe that perception is theirs not the American buyers' that needs to change). And they have plenty of means and resources to change perception IF THEY WANTED TO. I don't think they do. Diesel motors are plenty powerful without being inefficient with fuel. In fact that's a selling point. Efficiency AND power.
Surely they can't be so stupid as to continue cutting their own throats. I was holding out for a clean, quiet, fuel efficient well built European style diesel, but now I think I'll just go with the Toyota Prius (when they introduce their newest version) instead.


In Europe, carmakers are offering a broad range of diesel-powered vehicles that have been specially designed to meet the continent's much stricter environmental regulations.

But do not expect the same model ranges to go on sale in the States.

All the German manufacturers aim to woo US drivers with diesel-powered muscle-cars in a carefully thought-out effort to convince Americans that a switch to diesel will not involve sacrificing performance.

Diesel is not slow, honest, the Germans say

"One of the perceptions is that they are slow and weak cars," says Mr Krause.

"We don't think the consumer is interested in downsizing, in giving up something, especially not the American customer."

[lumberjack_jeff]

2. Making power in a diesel is dissimilar from gas.

A diesel engine capable of making a great deal of power can run a lightweight vehicle quite efficiently.

http://www.dieselpowermag.com/features/chevy/0707dp_1965_chevy_impala_ss_duramax/index.html
http://images.dieselpowermag.com/features/chevy/0707dp_01_z+1965_chevy_impala_ss_duramax+front_view.jpg

the above '65 chevy weighs 4000 lbs and goes 0-60 in 3.5 seconds, 11.5 seconds in the quarter mile using an 800hp duramax diesel motor. It also gets more than 20mpg.

A powerful Benz diesel sedan should still get something in the neighborhood of 30mpg.

[Dover]

3. The diesels available to Europeans do MUCH better than 30. At least twice.

So there is no reason that I can imagine for introducing the less efficient variety here.

[lumberjack_jeff]

9. A 30mpg sedan capable of 5 sec 0-60 will sell like hotcakes.

A challenge of building a diesel is that everything needs to be more robust because of the high compression.

I'm not suggesting that a $30,000 40-45 mpg diesel coupe won't sell, but the marketeers aren't generally stupid.

[Dover]

12. Nah they're not stupid....that's why car lots are sitting full of SUVs and large

gas guzzlers and GM is having to sell cars on Ebay. And that's why all the new 'CarsRUs' discount/liquidation lots springing up everywhere.

Hey, they're brilliant! And such good and conscientious global citizens...even as the glaciers melt.

Yeah, can't wait to go zero to 60 in 5 seconds flat. Yippeeeeeeee!

[lumberjack_jeff]

14. We're on the same team.

I would think it beyond debatable that other considerations being equal, buyers, and especially american buyers, prefer powerful vehicles.

Whatever brings more diesels here is a good thing.

in 1983 Chevy brought a decent diesel to market in their pickups. They got a consistent 25mpg. They sold poorly compared to their Ford competition because of their relative lack of power.

IMHO, small efficient diesels will be a byproduct of increased acceptance in the performance car market.

The fact that I'd really like to find a diesel chevette does not suggest that I'm a profitable demographic.

[tech3149]

8. Can you say Jonathan Goodwin? I knew you could.

Now do a Google search and learn a bit. We have people here who are doing even better than European manufacturers as far as fuel efficiency and equal to them on ecological impact, but the big 3 just can't figure out how he does it with their own components. We don't have to "downsize" to do better, we just have to hold the commercial interests to account for their decisions. Oh, and stop buying into the sales pitching going on since the 70's.

We've been sold on the idea that there's some cheap source of energy out there and we don't have to worry about what it is or where it comes from. All it is is a sales pitch. The more you can conserve the better. The more efficiently you can use the resource, even better. If you can use resources that don't adversely impact the health of our Big Blue Ball, that might just be Nirvana. If you can use resources in a synergistic fashion, we might just survive.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

4. "... meet the emissions regulations in all 50 states..."

I thought Mercedes had a model that did that several years ago. I don't follow their line, so I'm not sure.

[Dover]

6. Yes they did before the oil and auto industries destroyed the efficiency standards.

With Congress's help of course.

They have NO INTEREST in making the U.S. cleaner or more efficient. Just lip service.

[catnhatnh]

5. All well and good, but have you priced diesel lately???

In Rochester NH as of today regular gasoline is $2.89 whereas diesel is $3.59.....do you remember back when it was cheaper then gas??? Well,those days are gone.

[Dover]

7. Hard to know anymore how all this gets manipulated. Did they begin raising

the price of diesel in anticipation of reintroducing diesel cars here...inefficient diesel MUSCLE CARS?

Wouldn't be surprised.

[lumberjack_jeff]

10. What I see here, diesel is generally about 10% more than gas. n/t

[speedbird]

13. diesel contains more energy than gasoline, by volume

by weight, energies are very similar.

tax on diesel is higher

[eppur_se_muova]

11. I think it varies from state to state, depending on regulations.

I was shocked the first time I saw diesel more expensive than gas -- I always thought it was cheaper. Apparently (YMMV) the northeastern states have higher-priced diesel than gas, last I remember southeastern states had it the other way around -- but that may be badly outdated info.

BTW, most diesel now has extremely low sulfur content, to prevent acid rain formation. That may be connected to the higher prices, but again I'm not sure.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra-low_sulfur_diesel