Big 3 go after diesel market

1931Chevy · 01-02-2008, 08:56 PM

Recently passed energy legislation that mandates 40 percent fuel efficiency increases on automakers has them looking toward a technology that's existed for years -- diesel.

General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC have committed to a diesel option in the next generation of their light-duty pickups, which are the best-selling vehicles in each of their lineups. If all goes well and more consumers accept diesels as an option, the technology could expand beyond trucks.

Adding diesels will help the automakers reach the fleet-wide, industry average of 35 miles per gallon signed into law by President Bush on Dec. 19. But they'll have to work hard at selling the public on diesel's benefits.

more at the link

Strapping.Young.Lad · 01-02-2008, 09:44 PM

Good news!

give_it_all_ · 01-02-2008, 09:46 PM

"But they'll have to work hard at selling the public on diesel's benefits."

I'm sold. Just put it into a car like the Malibu or G6 and I'll take it.

FenwickHockey65 · 01-02-2008, 10:06 PM

That's awesome. Great idea!

plane · 01-02-2008, 10:24 PM

Who is yanking whose chain here?
Come on.
The only way the big three will ever get a viable diesel......

Would be by bringing back a zombie Oldsmobile,
Resurrecting the 8-6-4 Cadillac debacle.
Giving the damn thing all the acceleration of a Chevette with a blown head gasket.
Throwing in the Vega aluminum block for charm.
And finishing it off with a set of Corvair brake pads.

Now that's the big three we all know and love.

member12 · 01-02-2008, 10:35 PM

A good small diesel and a six speed manual would go well in my Silverado....provided it's a reliable design. I don't need 520 lb-ft of torque, though, so maybe the 4.5 is a size too big for me. I am curious as to what the V6 version of that engine will put out.

I'd love to get mileage in the mid-twenties....just give it a really good first gear that I can use to pull stumps out of the ground and a sixth gear that keeps the engine lugging along 1500 rpms at 70 mph.

How can it go wrong?

vdoh182 · 01-02-2008, 11:09 PM

^^^The 2.9 liter v6 puts out 250 hp and 400 ft/lb, i bet that would get great mileage in any of the small suvs and even the colorado, with decent performace as long as it had 6 gears to keep it in its power band.

Hitman1970 · 01-02-2008, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plane

Who is yanking whose chain here?
Come on.
The only way the big three will ever get a viable diesel......

Would be by bringing back a zombie Oldsmobile,
Resurrecting the 8-6-4 Cadillac debacle.
Giving the damn thing all the acceleration of a Chevette with a blown head gasket.
Throwing in the Vega aluminum block for charm.
And finishing it off with a set of Corvair brake pads.

Now that's the big three we all know and love.

Ahem.... you forgot the explosive gas tanks ala Pinto. Thank you very much.

plane · 01-03-2008, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hitman1970

Ahem.... you forgot the explosive gas tanks ala Pinto. Thank you very much.

Oh look at that.
There's always a Ford Fan somewhere in the crowd.
Why is that not surprising?

IROCNROL1 · 01-03-2008, 10:43 AM

What with higher prices for "clean" diesel engines, more expensive fuel that will become even more expensive with more demand, less availability of fuel pumps, and a fickle buying public that can turn on a dime, I predict this move will be an unmitigated disaster. Alright, maybe it'll be a mitigated disaster, but still...

1931Chevy · 01-03-2008, 11:51 AM

^ but remember that diesel engines can run with bio-diesel with out any modifications to the engines and its cheaper than regular diesel

Michael_S · 01-03-2008, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by give_it_all_

"But they'll have to work hard at selling the public on diesel's benefits."

I'm sold. Just put it into a car like the Malibu or G6 and I'll take it.

Yeah. I've heard rumors that there are buyers out there who still don't trust domestic diesels because of the diesel V8 sedans in the 1980s. But I've never met anyone that actually thinks that way, and I've chatted about diesels with dozens of people.

Most people I know would like a diesel sedan or wagon, they just don't trust VW reliability and can't or won't buy the Mercedes.

Minarets36 · 01-03-2008, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael_S

Most people I know would like a diesel sedan or wagon, they just don't trust VW reliability and can't or won't buy the Mercedes.

*Raises Hand* That's me!

FStephenMasek · 01-03-2008, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by give_it_all_

"But they'll have to work hard at selling the public on diesel's benefits."

I'm sold. Just put it into a car like the Malibu or G6 and I'll take it.

Agreed, but amend that to "just put it in any vehicle now sold." Good power, tremendously better mileage, no stink, and a rather small increase in price (vs a gsoline engine) will make diesel engines wildly popular.

Wolfman01 · 01-03-2008, 09:36 PM

The problem with your small increase in price is the new emissions standards that they must meet. For most, this is resulting in some very expensive emissions equipment to have to be added to the vehicle. This of course, ends up in a substantial increase in the cost of the car, one that cannot be offset due to the premium of diesel over gasoline.

01-02-2008, 09:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
Strapping.Young.Lad 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Canada Drives: 1982 GMC Sierra 2500HD 4x4 Diesel W/ 4" Lift kit Posts: 6,892	Re: Big 3 go after diesel market Good news! __________________ 1982 GMC Sierra 2500 4x4, 6.2L Detroit Diesel. Dana 44 Front end, GM 14B Semi Floater Rear, Lifted 4", 33" BFG Mud Terrains It Eats Tundras, Titans and Ridgelines for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Formerly Known As: FordRules

01-02-2008, 09:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
give_it_all_ 6.0 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Canada :) Drives: '06 G5 Posts: 1,639	Re: Big 3 go after diesel market "But they'll have to work hard at selling the public on diesel's benefits." I'm sold. Just put it into a car like the Malibu or G6 and I'll take it. __________________ 2006 Pontiac G5 Pursuit----Yellow Coupe

01-02-2008, 10:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
FenwickHockey65 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: West Chester, OH Drives: Chevrolet Malibu LS, GMC Envoy SLE, GMC Sonoma SLS Posts: 5,416	Re: Big 3 go after diesel market That's awesome. Great idea! __________________ Proud to drive American. Proud to drive GM. Current Cars: 2007 Chevrolet Malibu LS: 2.2L ECOTEC I-4 2003 GMC Envoy SLE: 4.2L Vortec 4200 I-6 1998 GMC Sonoma SLS Ext. Cab: 4.3L Vortec 4300 V6 Former Cars: 1993 Saturn SW2 (1993-2006, 243,000 miles) 1989 GMC Safari SLT (1989-2003, 293,000 miles) Future Car: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro 2LT RS: 3.6L DI VVT V6

01-02-2008, 10:24 PM	#5 (permalink)
plane 6.0 Liter LS2 V8 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Just right here Drives: 1980 'Vette Posts: 4,970	Re: Big 3 go after diesel market Who is yanking whose chain here? Come on. The only way the big three will ever get a viable diesel...... Would be by bringing back a zombie Oldsmobile, Resurrecting the 8-6-4 Cadillac debacle. Giving the damn thing all the acceleration of a Chevette with a blown head gasket. Throwing in the Vega aluminum block for charm. And finishing it off with a set of Corvair brake pads. Now that's the big three we all know and love. __________________ Of all the properties which belong to honorable men, not one is so highly prized as that of character. Henry Clay Last edited by plane : 01-02-2008 at 10:31 PM.

01-02-2008, 10:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
member12 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Atlanta Drives: pickup truck Posts: 5,367	Re: Big 3 go after diesel market A good small diesel and a six speed manual would go well in my Silverado....provided it's a reliable design. I don't need 520 lb-ft of torque, though, so maybe the 4.5 is a size too big for me. I am curious as to what the V6 version of that engine will put out. I'd love to get mileage in the mid-twenties....just give it a really good first gear that I can use to pull stumps out of the ground and a sixth gear that keeps the engine lugging along 1500 rpms at 70 mph. How can it go wrong? __________________ Answer Toyota's FJ and 4Runner...BRING BACK A ZR2 BLAZER!!!!

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01-02-2008, 11:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
vdoh182 3.8 Liter Supercharged V6 Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 548	Re: Big 3 go after diesel market ^^^The 2.9 liter v6 puts out 250 hp and 400 ft/lb, i bet that would get great mileage in any of the small suvs and even the colorado, with decent performace as long as it had 6 gears to keep it in its power band.

01-03-2008, 10:43 AM	#10 (permalink)
IROCNROL1 4.4 Liter Supercharged Northstar Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Fairfax, Iowa Posts: 2,247	Re: Big 3 go after diesel market What with higher prices for "clean" diesel engines, more expensive fuel that will become even more expensive with more demand, less availability of fuel pumps, and a fickle buying public that can turn on a dime, I predict this move will be an unmitigated disaster. Alright, maybe it'll be a mitigated disaster, but still...

01-03-2008, 09:36 PM	#15 (permalink)
Wolfman01 5.3 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Paradise, TX Drives: 1997 Ford F150 (161k) 1998 Jeep Cherokee SE (152k Posts: 1,262	Re: Big 3 go after diesel market The problem with your small increase in price is the new emissions standards that they must meet. For most, this is resulting in some very expensive emissions equipment to have to be added to the vehicle. This of course, ends up in a substantial increase in the cost of the car, one that cannot be offset due to the premium of diesel over gasoline. __________________ 1994 Safari Sarengeti 37' Diesel Pusher RV (92k) 1995 Daihatsu Hijet (89K Km's) 1997 Ford F150 (168k) 1998 Jeep Cherokee SE (RV Toad) (161k) 2008 Chevy Impala 2LT FFV with AFM (16k)

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