Ford: No Diesel Cars For USA; F-150 Gets Diesel In 2008

[Perian]

Source; Automotive News daily email

Quote:

The F-150 pickup will get a new 4.4-liter turbocharged V-8 diesel engine developed by Land Rover. It is expected to debut in the United States by late 2008.

But for cars, Ford plans to boost fuel economy two ways. It will use smaller engines loaded with technology, such as a turbocharger and gasoline direct injection, and offer more models with an optional gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain.

Ford had considered diesel engines in cars such as the compact Focus. A diesel usually boosts fuel economy by about 30 percent. A European diesel-powered Focus gets about 50 mpg on the highway. But tougher U.S. emissions rules took effect this month. The rules make all diesel-powered vehicles sold in the United States more expensive because of added filters and other emissions equipment.

"We have done a lot of assessment from a customer perspective, looking at what diesel offers in terms of fuel economy and performance versus cost," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford's product development boss. "At this point in time, we would say that GTDI (gasoline turbocharged direct injection) seems to be the better alternative."

[Perian]

If Ford can't make money on a diesel equipped car in the US, can GM?

How will GM and Ford react to the upcoming Honda Accord diesel vehicle?

[member12]

I hope the diesel is more reliable that other Land Rover products.

If only GM can put an Isuzu diesel in a Silverado 1/2 ton.

[GMFreak8]

Too bad. I'd love to see a comeback of diesel cars in the U.S. It's sad that a Focus in Europe can get 50MPG, yet here it barely breaks 30.....

[motorman]

Originally Posted by Perian

If Ford can't make money on a diesel equipped car in the US, can GM?

How will GM and Ford react to the upcoming Honda Accord diesel vehicle?

will some one explain to me how the average driver that drives 15,000 a year saves any money with a diesel. the extra cost for the engine,the fuel and the maintenance will not cause any $$$$ savings.

[igor]

Originally Posted by motorman

will some one explain to me how the average driver that drives 15,000 a year saves any money with a diesel. the extra cost for the engine,the fuel and the maintenance will not cause any $$$$ savings.

the first two are correct, but diesels are actually extremely reliable and low maintenance.

and yes US is a freak country where diesel is more expensive than Gas .. which makes no sense, since Diesel is easier to produce.

I am dissapointed with this decision, althought some nice GTDI engines would be nice ... I love diesels, and think they are the best solutions out there ... especially if they would make a diesel-electric hybrid (see Reflex).

Honda will likely become the only non german automaker producing diesel cars ..

Igor

[IROCNROL1]

Originally Posted by igor

the first two are correct, but diesels are actually extremely reliable and low maintenance.

and yes US is a freak country where diesel is more expensive than Gas .. which makes no sense, since Diesel is easier to produce.

I am dissapointed with this decision, althought some nice GTDI engines would be nice ... I love diesels, and think they are the best solutions out there ... especially if they would make a diesel-electric hybrid (see Reflex).

Honda will likely become the only non german automaker producing diesel cars ..

Igor

More maintenance as in fuel filters, oil changes, servicing the new emissions equipment and cold start/fuel gelling issues.

Not to mention limited fuel availability (and the smell).

[MichiganBuick]

Originally Posted by igor

and yes US is a freak country where diesel is more expensive than Gas .. which makes no sense, since Diesel is easier to produce.


Igor

Well thats easy to explain. We burn ALOT more diesel then we burn straight gas. We truck everything all over the country and there is a whole hell of a lot of land mass here. Hybrid semis would do ALOT more for the enviorment than hybrid cars. Imagine if an auto company got smart enough to partner with a semi builder to make hybrids. The added mass production would GREATLY reduce the price and the PR potential is just mind boggling

[vetteguy10]

Originally Posted by MichiganBuick

Well thats easy to explain. We burn ALOT more diesel then we burn straight gas. We truck everything all over the country and there is a whole hell of a lot of land mass here. Hybrid semis would do ALOT more for the enviorment than hybrid cars. Imagine if an auto company got smart enough to partner with a semi builder to make hybrids. The added mass production would GREATLY reduce the price and the PR potential is just mind boggling

Remember the Hybrid transit buses GM touted a few years ago? It's just a shame that it's years later and they're just now getting hybrids to the market.

[PeterPuck]

The only way GM and Ford can gain the "upper hand" is to do what they keep saying they're going to do: offer unique vehicle features. How is a diesel Focus not unique? How is a 50 MPG non-hybrid not unique?

[TiburonJT]

Originally Posted by GMFreak8

Too bad. I'd love to see a comeback of diesel cars in the U.S. It's sad that a Focus in Europe can get 50MPG, yet here it barely breaks 30.....

It gets 37 mpg on the highway. The '08 Focus should get about 40 mpg on the highway if rumors are correct. Ford stated that the mileage for the '08 Focus would be an increase over the current model.

I like diesels, but the cost of diesel is quite a bit higher than 87 octane gasoline in addition to the higher purchase price, I don't know how popular they would be in the US.

[guitarlix]

Originally Posted by igor

the first two are correct, but diesels are actually extremely reliable and low maintenance.

Yes, but this is a Land Rover diesel that we're talking about here.

[igor]

Originally Posted by guitarlix

Yes, but this is a Land Rover diesel that we're talking about here.

not it is a FoMoCo - PAG Diesel ...

and yes - that makes a LOT of difference.

Igor

[2b2]

"Don't Panic" (™ Douglas Adams)

The man said "at this point in time" (™ D. Kuzak)
it's really not splitting hairs to say
"tomorrow is another day" &
he's not saying "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a dammm" (™ Margaret Mitchell)

[end literary allusions]

actually it's a lot like GMI's oh-so-busy AT THE MOMENT server - the situation changes second-by-millisecond.

[01cavalier]

At least they are using a diesel for the F150, but I'd still like to see the option on cars. The fuel effeciency would definitely be great, though it is also about drivability.