Anyone keeping up to date in advances in alternative energy vehicles should have read at least once by now that diesel has made tremendous advancements. No longer is it plagued by the past's debilitating issues and it does not emit that horrendous cloud of thick, black smoke. How do I know?
Source: rpLast year, Audi brought me along on the Audi Mileage Marathon and the experience proved to me that diesel is going to give hybrids and electric vehicles a damn good run for their money.
((For more coverage on the Audi Mileage Marathon, click here and here.))
Although the Americans seem to be straying away from diesel technology, with the introduction of hybrids and electric autos, it will be interesting to see if there is a backlash when hybrid and electrics batteries need to be replaced. You do not actually think that will be cheap, do you? The only article I could find of significance, albeit slightly outdated, was this piece from HybridCars.
But, enough hybrid bashing. When all is said and done, they turn out to be decent cars that have been geeked out. All of the hybrids I have driven lack that sensational, fun factor. This is where diesel has its competitive advantage; it is a blast to drive a diesel.
Sure it does not have the same sound as an inline six-cylinder, but, not many cars do. As a matter in fact, I happen to enjoy the rugged sound usually accompanied by a loud turbo whistle.
What it comes down to is that manufacturers have to start building cheaper diesel options. We see Audi producing the Q7 TDI and BMW showing off its 335d and X5 diesel but those come in above that $40,000 mark. Volkswagen, on the other hand, is seeing tremendous success with its cheaper TDI's.
According to MarketWatch, TDI's accounted for 26 percent of Volkswagen's June sales -- led by the Jetta Sportwagen. In addition to this, VW's TDIs had another record setting month for July.
Knowing this, I think the Americans missed out here. Instead of spending countless dollars to produce a $40,000 + Volt -- that will likely be compromised due to tighter costs -- imagine they produced their European diesel motors stateside and started putting them in their entry-level vehicles. Just food for thought.
As we see in Volkswagen's gameplan, diesels are keeping its sales afloat right now. As of today, VW announced their July sales were up .7 percent year over year. It is not much, but it is something. In this tepid environment, something is MUCH better than nothing.
Source: Audi of AmericaAudi has seen the light and is finally bringing the A3 TDI across the pond. According to Audi's Product and Midwest Communications Manager, Christian Bokich, the A3 TDI will hit showrooms early this December. Although EPA numbers place it at 30/42 city/highway, I saw first hand on the Audi Mileage Marathon that it is capable of 50 + MPG given the right driver and conditions.
Source: rpRemember, Lexus' HS250h had trouble getting into the 30s while I was behind the wheel.
Now will BMW retort with a 1-series diesel or will Mercedes-Benz strike back with a C-class BlueTec? Does not appear so as there has been no updates on the subject matter.
With diesel competition starting to heat up, the fight for market share between hybrids is going to get fierce. Mind you that gas prices have remained under three bucks recently -- thankfully -- and that is keeping buyers interested in gasoline motors. If gas prices shoot up, we could see a paradigm shift as we did last year.
Currently, diesel prices have deflated from their premiums and are hovering around regular gasoline prices. It could get cheaper if the boys in D.C. reevalute the Federal tax on diesel fuel. A brilliant point the MarketWatch piece brings up is that in Europe diesel fuel receives a tax break.
Uh, are we behind the times or what? No wonder our automotive industry is in shambles.
rp
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