Chrysler To Sell Diesel Engines In US; VW Moves 4,000 Diesels In October; GM??

[Perian]

Source: Special Automotive News Email Alert

Automotive News - November 4, 2009 - 12:36 pm ET

DETROIT -- Chrysler Group will launch Fiat-designed diesel engines and dual-clutch transmissions in its North American products, Chrysler said today.

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Source: Volkswagen North America

October, 2009 diesel sales:

Jetta Sedan TDI: 1839
Jetta SportWagen TDI: 1819
Touareg TDI: 234
Golf TDI: 116
TOTAL TDI 4,008

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Discussion question: Should GM be working on a diesel engine(s) for cars and light trucks?

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[Perian]

Cruze diesel?

Equinox diesel?

Colorado diesel?

[calgaryhhr]

That is fantastic but Chrysler doesn't have any vehicles in North America that I would consider purchasing even if they came available with a diesel.

If GM could offer a small turbo diesel in the Spark, Cruze, HHR I would consider one of those. I would really like to see a Buick Astra or Regal wagon with a 2.0L Turbo Diesel.

[mjd1001]

Originally Posted by Perian

Colorado diesel?

A small truck that has a diesel would be good, but of course, it can't be the Colorado...that truck needs a clean-sheet redesign. I have friends who have purchased S10's and Sonomas in the past, and one that even has a Colorado from the first year they offered it....and even among them the state of the current Colorado is a joke.

[CJ Thunder]

Originally Posted by calgaryhhr

That is fantastic but Chrysler doesn't have any vehicles in North America that I would consider purchasing even if they came available with a diesel.

If GM could offer a small turbo diesel in the Spark, Cruze, HHR I would consider one of those. I would really like to see a Buick Astra or Regal wagon with a 2.0L Turbo Diesel.

I know many many people will be buying the Wrangler diesel just to toy with. I might be one of them.

[brnwrng]

They already have the diesel's how hard would it be to import them in NA vehicles?

The only trouble with diesel is the overhead cost. If the cruze was lets say at minimal 5000 more for a diesel then I would opt for the gasoline engine because you would never get that 5000 back. I think it is still a market that need to be pursued as of now VW has a monopoly in NA on small diesel engines in cars.

[kylepo]

Originally Posted by brnwrng

They already have the diesel's how hard would it be to import them in NA vehicles?

The only trouble with diesel is the overhead cost. If the cruze was lets say at minimal 5000 more for a diesel then I would opt for the gasoline engine because you would never get that 5000 back. I think it is still a market that need to be pursued as of now VW has a monopoly in NA on small diesel engines in cars.

Car diesels are not stupid expensive like truck ones....actually if I recall the MB diesels are the same or cheaper than the gas alternative.....

[PocoToro]

Just a question.......

How many cars did VW sell in October?
VW sold 4000 diesels in the states in October.
How many people purchased a "VW with a diesel" or a "diesel with a VW wraped around it"???
You need to look at all of this before you can say "GM it's profitable to sell a diesel in the states with the tail pipe emissions and gas at $2.75 vs diesel fuel at $2.85."

[Uzzy]

Originally Posted by brnwrng

They already have the diesel's how hard would it be to import them in NA vehicles?

Pretty hard considering the US's convoluded new diesel emissions requirements. But VW is doing it, so why can't GM?

I think too many Americans are still afraid of diesels, but those that are are becoming fewer and fewer. I grew up not knowing why everyone hated diesel cars, but I knew everyone did. (born in '82, so I missed the whole failed diesel revolution).

I think by now most have forgotten are at least willing to give it another shot 30 or so years later in the spirit of better MPG. But first and foremost the US needs to get on track with the rest of the world for their diesel emissions. Diesel cars are King in Europe and they can't even get arrested in North America.

[momo67]

Originally Posted by PocoToro

Just a question.......

How many cars did VW sell in October?
VW sold 4000 diesels in the states in October.
How many people purchased a "VW with a diesel" or a "diesel with a VW raped around it"???
You need to look at all of this before you can say "GM it's profitable to sell a diesel in the states with the tail pipe emissions and gas at $2.75 vs diesel fuel at $2.85."

Diesel raped? Sounds dirty and painful. I think you mean wrapped. Anyway, GM sells plenty of Silverado and Sierra HD trucks with diesel engines.

[rsbaker]

Originally Posted by Perian

Cruze diesel?

Equinox diesel?

Colorado diesel?

A few years ago GM could legitimately claim that it would be too expensive to develop small Diesel engines for a very limited US market. That is certainly no longer the case. GM has a wide range of Diesel engines to use and with the threat always looming of $3.00 to $4.00 gasoline returning, they should, at a minimum, test the waters in the US with a competitive Diesel range.

Colorado of course is a no brainer, and would certainly be readily accepted by the Pick-up trucking public where the Duramax is already well known.

Equinox would be the next logical step. It is a CUV and as such is more truck like. IMO it is still an easy sell if it gets 40+mpg.

Cruze, if we ever get it, would be a bit more difficult to sell to a public not accustomed to diesel cars but if GM followed VW's lead and really advertised the mileage which for Cruze should be well over 50 MPG given the 44mpg the gas version is supposed to get.

Then If GM does a Diesel Cruze in the US, as they are doing in Europe, and Holden has in Australia, then why not a do a Diesel Volt? They say Volt was designed to accept different generating power trains. It only seems logical. GM really needs to take another look at its diesel capabilities with respect to the North American market.

[CamaroCrazy]

I really miss the idea of a G8 diesel that could have been. If I had the money, my daily driver would be a BMW 335d right now. I looked into the VW Jetta diesel but Jettas suck IMO, powertrain notwithstanding.

CTS diesel with the shevled 4.5L V8 would be a great 335d competitor. Or that 2.9 V6 diesel from Europe?

[calgaryhhr]

Originally Posted by brnwrng

They already have the diesel's how hard would it be to import them in NA vehicles?

The only trouble with diesel is the overhead cost. If the cruze was lets say at minimal 5000 more for a diesel then I would opt for the gasoline engine because you would never get that 5000 back. I think it is still a market that need to be pursued as of now VW has a monopoly in NA on small diesel engines in cars.

The best numbers I have are from VW Canada. A comfortline trimmed 2010 Golf 5 door starts at $22,575. That same comfortline trimmed 2010 Golf 5 door with a diesel starts at $24,975. The equipment levels on both these models are exactly the same so the price differential would be the premium that VW attaches to their diesel engine option ($2,400.) That price differential is the same for other trim levels and for the Jetta with an exception for the highest Jetta trim. The Jetta Highline is $29,075 and the Jetta Highline diesel is $30,875 (differential only $1,800.) Again the equipment level is the on the Highline gas and diesel models. The Touareg has a $4,000 premium on diesel engine however.

[brnwrng]

Originally Posted by kylepo

Car diesels are not stupid expensive like truck ones....actually if I recall the MB diesels are the same or cheaper than the gas alternative.....

that is not true...first car I looked up.

2010 VW Golf Edmunds
2.5L FWD 2.5L I5 Manual 25 mpg $17,490
TDI FWD 2.0L I4 T Manual 34 mpg $21,990
4500 difference...pretty close to the 5000 I originally posted. You are right they are not as high as the truck difference but there is still a significant change. 4500 buys a lot of gas in a lifetime and the 9mpg difference may never pay the difference.

http://www.edmunds.com/volkswagen/golf/2010/index.html

The sedan is not comparable because it only comes in and automatic transmission for GAS and Manual for DIESEL.

[Uzzy]

Originally Posted by brnwrng

that is not true...first car I looked up.

2010 VW Golf Edmunds
2.5L FWD 2.5L I5 Manual 25 mpg $17,490
TDI FWD 2.0L I4 T Manual 34 mpg $21,990
4500 difference...pretty close to the 5000 I originally posted. You are right they are not as high as the truck difference but there is still a significant change. 4500 buys a lot of gas in a lifetime and the 9mpg difference may never pay the difference.

http://www.edmunds.com/volkswagen/golf/2010/index.html

The sedan is not comparable because it only comes in and automatic transmission for GAS and Manual for DIESEL.

Originally Posted by calgaryhhr

The best numbers I have are from VW Canada. A comfortline trimmed 2010 Golf 5 door starts at $22,575. That same comfortline trimmed 2010 Golf 5 door with a diesel starts at $24,975. The equipment levels on both these models are exactly the same so the price differential would be the premium that VW attaches to their diesel engine option ($2,400.) That price differential is the same for other trim levels and for the Jetta with an exception for the highest Jetta trim. The Jetta Highline is $29,075 and the Jetta Highline diesel is $30,875 (differential only $1,800.) Again the equipment level is the on the Highline gas and diesel models. The Touareg has a $4,000 premium on diesel engine however.

If they were not so rare and didn't have to do so much to have it pass emission regulations, it would be a LOT cheaper. Still cheaper than a Hybrid option and it has comparable gas mileage.