My guess is the perception is that there is no market. So how does one explain the VW TDI? They seem to account for a significant portion of sales here in Dallas. Doesn't Mercedes still sell a diesel in the E-class?
I have also heard the emissions reason, but as you said, Europe has gotten progressively more stringent.
I was recently in the UK and Germany, and diesels were everywhere. The diesel cabs I rode in seemed to provide adequate performance. I don't know if it ever hit the market in Europe, but Mercedes was supposed to have developed a kick-ass V8 TDI diesel. I've driven the VW and in the Golf, the performance is at least as good as the 2 liter NA gas engine.

Who knows, if gas prices continue to climb maybe the market will "reappear". I know those of you in Europe pay a lot more at the pump, but your fuel tax structure is quite different. During my recent trip, I was told that some 70% of the 80p/litre in the price of premium in the UK was tax. This would equate to about $4.50 per US gallon. So if the 70% is accurate, then we are talking $1.35 per gallon w/o tax. In the US it's about $0.55 per gallon tax. So the $1.95 I paid yesterday would equate to about $1.40 w/o tax. So while prices have gone up worldwide, the cost of producing the fuel would appear to be about the same. Diesel on the other hand is much cheaper than gas in Europe and a bit more than "regular" gas here in the States. The point is there are not the economic incentives in the US to drive a diesel. You get better milage and there IS some savings, but diesel stations aren't on every corner, and the fuel is as much if not more than regular. Additionally diesels traditionally enjoyed the less maintenance feature, but with (in theory) 100K mile spark plugs, that advantage is not what it once was.

Gee, I think I might have figured it out.....comments?

hr

• Why no TID in the USA, or any other diesels?, Petteri Leone, Tue, 15 May 2001 09:41:46
  • Re: Why no TID in the USA, or any other diesels?, EricU, Mon, 21 May 2001 10:53:49
  • 9-5 with 3 liter turbo diesel... that will fast! n/m, Dean, Wed, 16 May 2001 15:58:27
  • 9-5 with 3 liter turbo diesel... that will fast! n/m, Dean, Wed, 16 May 2001 15:58:27
  • Cause they are very dirty, Cooknight, Wed, 16 May 2001 04:26:28
    • Veggie diesel, Dave Westlake, Wed, 16 May 2001 09:35:32
      • Re: Veggie diesel, Dean, Wed, 16 May 2001 14:52:19
        • OOOOH! A backyard refinery...the neighbors will love it! n/m, Dave Westlake, Wed, 16 May 2001 16:15:50
          • Re: OOOOH! A backyard refinery...the neighbors will love it! n/m, jp, Thu, 17 May 2001 16:27:18
            • But officer...I'm only making gasohol...., Dave Westlake, Thu, 17 May 2001 16:32:21
  • Re: Why no TID in the USA, or any other diesels?, Bryan , Tue, 15 May 2001 13:44:36
  • Re: Why no TID in the USA, or any other diesels?, Dean, Tue, 15 May 2001 10:50:23
  • Re: Why no TID in the USA, or any other diesels?, hr, Tue, 15 May 2001 10:36:09 <-- Viewing This Message
    • Re: Diesels don't have SPARK plugs!!!, Kyle, Tue, 15 May 2001 19:07:29
    • Re: Why no TID in the USA, or any other diesels?, EGD , Tue, 15 May 2001 15:22:42
    • Re: Why no TID in the USA, or any other diesels?, Dean, Tue, 15 May 2001 10:55:03

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