AutoObserver: GM 2.9L V6 diesel on indefinite hold

[starlightmica]

Cadillac Kills Crucial Diesel Engine for Europe
March 26, 2009

By Bill Visnic

General Motors Corp.'s Cadillac division, long ambitious to expand its brand in Europe, has cancelled a long-needed diesel engine that was earmarked to power Cadillacs sold in that market.

The loss of the diesel engine - currently a virtual requirement to successfully compete in Europe, particularly in premium-vehicle segments - is another blow to Cadillac's European aspirations and is certain to cause a serious setback and realignment of Cadillac's strategy. Or even an outright surrender in Europe.

GM and Cadillac sources confirm the diesel for Europe has been cancelled, but division spokesperson Joann Krell said the engine's official status, as with many diesel engine programs recently shelved, is "indefinitely delayed."

The 2.9-liter V6 turbodiesel was developed with and was to be manufactured by Italian diesel-engine expert VM Motori S.p.A., of which GM currently owns 50 percent. A source said design and development of the engine was complete.

The move means GM will continue to lack a diesel engine for its rear- or all-wheel-drive models, including the Cadillac CTS and Cadillac STS, that comprise the preponderance of its model range. The only Cadillac in Europe currently offering a diesel-engine option is the front-wheel-drive BLS, a model that to date has been an undeniably dismal seller.

Cancelling the V6 diesel effectively shuts the door on Cadillac's potential to improve market share - and brand perception - in Europe, because according to the most recent figures from diesel-component supplier Robert Bosch Corp., 54 percent of all light vehicles sold in Western Europe last year were diesel-powered. And diesel penetration rates in many premium segments are markedly higher still.

So much for the CTS wagon, there's not going to be much demand on either side of the pond.

[BlueMontreal]

NO NO NO !
If BMW and Mercedes can sell their diesel here, Cadillac can succeed with such an engine.

[davidlane]

GM's cut so many programs, does anyone have ant idea of what's left that will keep them competitive in any market?

[Quickening]

Not the best program to cut. GM needs this diesel in the EU.

[spaz]

great timing
just as the price of diesel is dropping to the same level as 89-91 octane gas

[98sonoma]

dumb dumb dumb

[page2171]

Shocking...absolutely shocking. Not really.

[bowtie guy]

Originally Posted by davidlane

GM's cut so many programs, does anyone have ant idea of what's left that will keep them competitive in any market?

The Government

I was hoping they would come out with some kind of Diesel for the car or trucks. Killed the baby Dmaxs now the car motor. That a way to show the country something new and innovating.

[FenwickHockey65]

NO NO NO NO NO!!!

Ughhhh!

[mikesright]

If/when auto sales pick back up they can intro the engine. However, with auto sales this low GM, like any other automaker, needs to scale back and focus on core products and getting a solid business case behind everything they do.

[BurnOut]

This engine would have been great in any number of applications... not only cars, but also trucks... I can only imagine how awesome it would be to have that motor in an H3

[jry]

Originally Posted by spaz

great timing
just as the price of diesel is dropping to the same level as 89-91 octane gas

Heck, here in Michigan, diesel is at least 20 cents cheaper than regular no lead.
Question for you folks, out there in GMI land.......

What was the mileage estimate for the STS diesel?

[throwback]

I guess GM has no desire to succeed with Cadillac in Europe. But then they are bankrupt, how many billions are we into them for again?

[aussieincalgary]

Wake up GM, we have had Diesels in Australia for years, my neighbor up the road owns a Toyota Mini van imported from Japan (I now live in Canada), WHY? because it's Diesel and gets 900km out of a tank AROUND TOWN. My brother owns a Nissan Navara (same as the Frontier) but it has a 4.2Ltr in-line 6cyl turbo Diesel, he gets over 1400km per tank and can tow anything he wants.
As a Mechanic I drive many different vehicles including the new diesel Jeep Cherokee 3.0Ltr, WOW what an impressive motor (from Mercedes of course), outperforms the bigger 4Ltr gas motor anyday and gets far better fuel economy.
I would buy a 1500 truck from Chevy with a 4.6Ltr deisel in a heart beat, as good as the 5.3ltr gas engine is, the diesel would be much better.

[MAK]

That 2.9L V6 in the 2010 SRX would've been sweet.