Comments on: 2010 diesel cars in the USA: here’s the lineup

By: Leonard Wilson

Leonard Wilson — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:12:36 +0000

I have just returned from the U S after driven in a 3 liter gas Chyrsler which did 30mpg U.S. Over here in Northern Ireland I drive a Mercedes C220 cdi which regularly gives 40 mpg,in the mainly short runs,but has on a long run given 53.8mpg. This car is an auto and is a really nice car to drive. I’m told B.M.W’s are even more frugal, but I like my Merc. and I will buy another.

By: Carl H Landgren

Carl H Landgren — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 04:03:47 +0000

The last 15 cars that I have rented in Europe have been 4 cyl diesels with standard shift they have delivered 40 plus mpg. The Ford Mondeo with 6 spd standand trans delivered 40 + mpg and was one of the best cars I have driven..I have written Ford and consumer reports to say we should have them here. I believe that 60% of the new cars in Europe are diesels, Why not here. Later this month I will rent another diesel in France. Carl….Saddle River,N.J.

By: guy

guy — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:08:48 +0000

how is it, that europeans are running diesel cars with virtually 0 carbon emissions? to the point where they are not even taxed (UK road use tax) because they are so clean, and here we are no access to the same vehicles and the tax breaks are for “monster” that pollute and clog roads. there needs to come a point of the continued policies becoming objectionable to all and allow us the choice to drive what we want and not have to pollute as much and be more efficient. CMON AMERICA GIVE US WHAT WE WANT

By: Angelo

Angelo — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 23:47:08 +0000

02/27/2010

I have a 2010 Prius Level 4. It gets good gas mileage, 44M.P.G. to 52M.P.G. I would love to have a all wheel drive Diesel Sedan or wagon giving the same M.P.G.. I wonder why Subaru isn’t ready for the U.S..

By: Jay

Jay — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:06:33 +0000

Dogma…..do you really believe that it is the American public that is at fault for the lack of diesels??? Look at the list of diesel cars sold in the US. There are no cars in an affordable compact or subcompact class. The reason the current lineup is not selling is because people with money purchasing a bmw can afford get half the mileage with gas. VW makes some great cars but I personally am not going to purchase a $22,000 car just so I can get a diesel. I would however purchase a $12,000 diesel over a $12,000 gas powered car. Problem is none are available in the US. As far as saying people in the US do not want small affordable cars…..what about the mini, yaris, smart car, accent, ect…
Small cars are really catching on and selling numbers to justify continued sales. Moreover when ever I come across articles on foreign compact cars, take the Alfa Mito as an example, all people do on the board is complain about not being able to purchase one in the states.
The fact is that a hand full of people make 98% of the countries decisions, most of which are based on personal gain (money). Even domestic auto companies produce cars for other countries that are more fuel efficient and have smaller price tags (ford for instance). The US makes considerable profits off its gasoline sales and it does not want to sacrifice any of it…even though it would benefit the American people.

By: hawk

hawk — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 18:35:32 +0000

The high cost of diesel relative to Europe is due to taxes. I had a Chevy Luv (Isuzu) diesel in the 1980s, and currently drive a Jetta TDI. I’d love to have a small diesel pickup truck but it doesn’t look like any are sold in the US.

By: Mandy

Mandy — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:06:34 +0000

The BMW links do not work. I love the Mercedes even though they don’t seem to be much better for gas mileage. I can’t wait to see the E350.

By: knight2rider

knight2rider — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:36:41 +0000

I ve been wondering all these years why the hell there are no diesels in the US. I live in Europe and almost every car maker and model has a diesel engine available. Not only that they are way more efficient (fuel consumption is much lower) diesel engines are much more reliable (engines last a lot lot more). I think that Americans should try to realize that they are being played. Have you ever seen a heavy truck run on a gasoline engine well i haven t they are diesels just simply because their mpg is so much greater that way saving the owner money. Oh yeah and its not the HP that counts but the torque and all new diesel engines have a greater torque than gasoline. Just an example a Volvo S70 with a 2.5 gasoline engine 140 hp has no chance in a 0 to 60 sprint with a VW Passat with a 1.9 TDI engine and 105 hp. Oh yeah and one more thing why do you all people look at the average MPG (not everyone drives like an old grandma) a gasoline engine pushed to drive at higher speeds and acceleration will consume way more fuel while a diesel pushed the same way will have a significantly smaller increase in consumption.
PS Cummins is American and they make really good diesel engines…..but just fit them in trucks.

By: david swallow

david swallow — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 18:50:58 +0000

Once you have owned a turbo diesel car & driven it, you will not want another gas powered car. I have been around diesel engines since 1961 & believe me they are no more complicated than a F.I. gas engine & a hell of a lot more reliable.
My current car is a volvo V70 2.4 turbo diesel, it goes like the wind & does more than 50 mpg at a constant 70 mph.
What more do you want.

By: OIL Guzzlers Anonimous

OIL Guzzlers Anonimous — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 02:34:53 +0000

Money under the table is why we have very few diesels to pick from in the USA. We have token diesel availability in the USA and the powers that be have their fingers crossed that the average American will still think of the diesel as it was known in the 70s and 80s, as smelly, hard to start and slow. VW could be selling small trucks like they use too with diesel engines. No one else does. They could put the same engine in a small truck that they use in the Jetta. They would sell them as fast as they could build them. Honda, Toyota and other car manufacturers were to have diesels available by now in the USA. Where are they? Ford had a small light/V8 diesel engine for their F150 pickup but for some reason decided to shelf it for now. Who has the most to gain from the addiction we have for oil? Would it be the oil companys? What would happen if half the country suddenly started driving cars that got 50mpg and realized how nice and quiet a modern day diesel engine performed. Would the oil companys start losing money? Will the American people ever get their head out of the sand and demand something be done about all the money changing hands under the table?