Are Diesels Doomed To The Same Poor Adoption Rates As Hybrids?

Hardly, We're going to have them practically forced upon us do to the Federal mandate which takes effect in 2015. In order to get an company's CAFE avg to 35.5 or above, we are going to see much more of them. With the Hybid technology now in question,(as to who owns it), there is a clear path for Diesels to take over. Look for these cars to arrive in model year 2014, right before the fed mandate takes affect.

do realize that emission standards are increasing along side mileage standards. Future diesels will have to be better than todays gasoline cars.

they are

The basic issue is very simple. Gas is too cheap here in the US for either hybrids or diesels to have a payback. Diesels triumph in Europe due to the higher gas/diesel taxes there, and that the diesel taxes are lower than the gas taxes. What the US needs to solve these problems is higher gas taxes, and there those taxes to replace all the CAFE nonsense that will produce crappy cars no one wants to buy. Politically, though, a gas tax is DOA to both Democrates and Repuplicans (for different reasons, though). Instead we are getting a mountain of regulations that will produc dreadful cars.

American's hate diesels. There are multiple reasons, but most everyone comes to the same conclusion.

The only thing that might change this is $4+ per gallon petrol.

Americans LOVE diesel trucks I swear0ver 30% of our build out is diesel not sure why GM will not use the Silverados diesel with some mods in a full size Chevy car.

last I looked the uptake for diesels for VW Golf Wagons, BMW X5's, VW Toureg's, VW Jetta's, Audi Q7, MB R350 and ML350 and even the BMW 335d are at very high % levels. More than justifying their existence.

those in the know are gravitating to these engines.

Yes diesel sell well for us but it has been a little slower now that Diesel is more then gas by about 40 cents. This will change by march but the diesel is here to stay in the USA

Focal is correct. If you look at the stats run by the Diesel Driver magazine a few weeks back, you will see that the take rate for comparable models is around 33%. The take rate for hybrids, I believe, is in the single digits.

In October 25% of all VW sales were diesels.

As long as the US government interferes with this market by taxing diesel fuel more than gasoline, it's going to be a tough road for diesels.

I can't wait to find out which car GM is gonna offer with the diesel. All I know is that they had better get the reliability of it spot on or it could spell disaster for ALL diesels...once again.

@uaw_lax: The Silverado's Duramax is a very heavy engine, and would only offer poor handling in any car it's in. It would also mean poor fuel economy too because those engines are really designed for torque (fuel economy comes second). There really isn't much of an argument for any diesel much over 6 cylidners in a car, in my opinion. In fact, a decent 3.0L I4 turbo diesel is as much as most people will ever need.

I dunno, I think a medium to full sized car with the duramax would be pretty freakin sweet. Weight, handling, and fuel economy issues aside, it would be cheap and take off like a s-class amg. ;)

U.S. refineries are not able to meet diesel demand at this time and so diesel prices will jump quickly if volume increases significantly. The last refinery was built 30 years ago - it's going to be rough going creating enough diesel moving forward.

Im America, most things other than v8's will be doomed. Diesels seem to be selling really well in sustainable countries.

No

Let's see. 2010 VW Golf TDI 4 door w/ a 6 speed manual nicely appointed for under 25k. Or a Toyota Prius?

TDI anyday of the week. I am one who would easily buy one. Unfortunately I cannot get an AWD hatch in TDI in the states. Lame. Listen up Audi. A3 TDI Quattro for US!

The current crop of VAG diesels paas CA emissions with flying colors and room to spare. They will ocntinue to be imported for some time and yes, they are cleaner than most gas engines already.