The number of diesel powered cars on North American highways has
been dropping steadily ever since their peak in the mid 1980s.
For many motorists, diesel engines conjure up images of
pollution, poor power, and unreliability. However, one
generation later and all that is about to change. New diesel
powered vehicles will soon be arriving, in fact one is already
here and receiving critical acclaim from auto enthusiasts.
Who can forget those diesel powered Chevrolet Caprices and
Oldsmobile 98s that suddenly became very popular 25 years ago?
If you are like many car owners, you want to forget those cars.
What GM did back then was to take existing gasoline engines and
convert them to diesel engines. These converted engines were
loud, smoky, and very unreliable. They were unreliable to the
point where GM had to pay tens of millions of dollars to replace
failed engines with gasoline engines.
The memory of GM's diesel fiasco was never lost on drivers who
have spurned diesels to the point where many automakers are no
longer producing diesel engines. Mercedes, a strong seller of
diesel powered cars in Europe, no longer sells a diesel powered
car in North America. VW is the lone importer of diesel engines
while the U.S. manufacturers only place high performance diesel
engines in their larger vehicles such as pick up trucks.
Another area that has stopped diesel engines cold is air
pollution. Very stringent emission regulations have all but
wiped out the possibility that many of the smaller diesel
engines could be sold in the U.S. However, a change is in the
wind as new technology is now in place that will make diesel
powered cars cleaner. In addition, with the high cost of
gasoline now prevailing, a diesel powered car has much more of
an appeal to it especially since fuel savings of 20-30% are
possible.
DaimlerChrysler recently introduced a Jeep Liberty with an
optionally equipped diesel engine and this compact SUV is
selling well with the optional engine. Its new 2.8L diesel
delivers fuel improvements as high as 32% over a comparable gas
4x4 model and pollution is kept to a minimum. In addition, the
added torque is a favorite with some, especially those who need
to pull a boat or a camper with the Jeep.
Volkswagen will be bringing additional diesel powered cars to
the North American market over the next few years. Diesel
powered Golfs, Jettas, and possibly several larger model VWs
will soon be traversing the highways and byways of Canada and
the U.S.
BMW and Mercedes are both likely to be importing diesel cars
over the next few years. Both automakers are studying the market
to see if compact models could sell in North America. Each
proposed model line is currently sold in Europe and diesel
engines are a popular option with these cars.
GM is also considering tapping its relationship with Isuzu to
import engines to be placed in several compact models. Long a
producer of diesel powered vehicles, Isuzu has pretty much
exited the North American market, but could return in the form
of Isuzu powered cars sold by GM.
Chrysler will likely take its favorable experience with its Jeep
division and begin to offer diesel engines on other trucks and
SUVs. At the same time the all new Dodge Caliber, a replacement
for the Neon, may eventually offer a diesel engine too.
Ford seems to be content with expanding its hybrid offerings and
no other Japanese or Korean manufacturers appear ready to jump
into the diesel movement...yet. Regardless, within five years
the number of diesel cars on American and Canadian roads will
likely triple. This can be a good thing for people wanting
better fuel mileage, more torque, and a highly reliable engine.
For older diesel powered cars, they will continue to serve their
purpose as owners discover how to extend their lives through
useful aftermarket parts such as Bully Dog and competing
products. With their rugged durability and well known
reliability, a diesel powered car can easily reach a half of
million miles or more before quitting.
About the author:
Copyright 2006 - Matt Keegan, is The Auto
Writer, who covers a variety of automotive topics including
Bully Dog Diesel
products and other handy aftermarket parts and accessories.
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