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Here are the numbers from the data being tossed around.

Diesel accounted for 136,180 of the 3,773,000 vehicles sold in Q1 2024. That’s 3.6%. And out of that 136,180 figure, the overwhelming majority sold were diesel pickup trucks. Diesel SUVs were a rounding error in comparison.

In other words, diesel is a niche, just like we said. The fact that the diesel powered Escalade was killed should surprise nobody, since nobody bought it, and nobody cared that it existed.

 

But a niche is merely a 'defined segment'. I saw that tossed around somewhere. 🤪
- - - - -
The Escalade demographic isn't specifically anti-diesel (Duramax has higher TRQ at a lower RPM than the 6.2L), and they're not going to be swayed by a C-note price difference with the cash they're spending.

They're merely pro-V8 / 420 HP. And that's perfectly fine. Just like no one cares/buys the base Turbomax 4 in the pickups, or that camry buyers dont care/ don't buy the V6 (6% of sales in 2020). Don't see these as "failures" overall because of singular examples; just that the specific demographic frequently will lean one way or another. That's why there's no Turbomax 4 offered in the Escalade (or a V8 in a camry) : demographics.

But somehow- the Duramax has seen a 25% take rate in another GM BOF truck. Is it the powertrain... or the specific demographic?

 

But a niche is merely a 'defined segment'. I saw that tossed around somewhere. 🤪
- - - - -
The Escalade demographic isn't specifically anti-diesel (Duramax has higher TRQ at a lower RPM than the 6.2L), and they're not going to be swayed by a C-note price difference with the cash they're spending.

They're merely pro-V8 / 420 HP. And that's perfectly fine. Just like no one cares/buys the base Turbomax 4 in the pickups, or that camry buyers dont care/ don't buy the V6 (6% of sales in 2020). Don't see these as "failures" overall because of singular examples; just that the specific demographic frequently will lean one way or another. That's why there's no Turbomax 4 offered in the Escalade (or a V8 in a camry) : demographics.

But somehow- the Duramax has seen a 25% take rate in another GM BOF truck. Is it the powertrain... or the specific demographic?

I think positive experiences can overcome negative ones. Also consider product development and planning for niches. The pic Ute posted was previously a niche too in the 30's-40's and became more capable and widespread after. I think you have your own answer about expectations of demographics. A larger slice of Bof pickup buyers care more about efficiency. It's not something Escalade buyers brag about.

 

I don’t disagree. I think for a lumbering behemoth like an Escalade a torquey diesel makes sense. But buyers of that caliber of luxury SUV simply don’t care about torque and efficiency as much as convenience of finding gas and for raw power to brag about. Remember the phrase “horsepower sells cars, torque moves them”? It’s true.

The average pickup buyer who’s hauling stuff or driving around town cares more about efficiency and pulling power diesel gives them for sure. Totally different demographics.

 

We got sidetracked trying to toss out percentages vs the entire industry volume, I was merely responding to the vibe here that diesels are associated with loud, smelly variants from 50 years ago.

I recall a road test article, prob from the ‘70s, of an International diesel pickup. The opening pic was the truck at a starting line as to make a quarter mile run, and next to it was a human runner. No consumer today makes that association because the TDs (@ GM, to stay on track), operate like any gas engine AFA NVH goes.

 

the TDs (@ GM, to stay on track), operate like any gas engine AFA NVH goes.

In Silverado 1500, Duramax 3.0L I6 is quieter than the 6.2L V8. From Car and Driver:

All of that power is delivered in stoic silence too. At both idle and wide-open throttle, the diesel Silverado is significantly quieter than its braggadocious 6.2-liter gas counterpart, recording 41 decibels at idle and 71 decibels at wide-open throttle. We drove both a Trail Boss and a ZR2 (our test numbers are for the latter), and in both cases their aggressive all-terrain tires made more noise than the engine.

Tested: 2024 Chevy Silverado 1500 Duramax Is Last Diesel Standing

 

https://gmauthority.com/blog/2024/08/heres-why-the-2025-cadillac-escalade-is-dropping-the-duramax-diesel-engine/

5% take rate. Kinda puts things in perspective why it got dropped.

 

+1
That's true. It's still disappointing that one of the best light truck diesel engines ever developed will no longer be offered in a vehicle for which it's perfectly suited starting in MY 2025.

The comment from Cadillac marketing dweeb Donnelly Baxter, "Cadillac provides customers with “the luxury of choice” when it comes to the luxury SUV segment" reinforces the recommendation mgescuro and CJH mentioned in posts 7 and 8 about fielding a hybrid/PHEV Escalade.

 

In '08, the Tahoe, Yukon & Escalade combined moved 7,612 hybrids.
Using 2010 U.S.-only production figures, that was a 6.5% take rate.
'08 was the best year for that generation F/S GM SUV hybrids.

 

'08 was the best year for that generation F/S GM SUV hybrids.

Yup, 3Q 2008 achieved 20% take rate for two-mode hybrid powertrain in GMT900 Escalade.

 

^ So; way higher in the E than in the Tahoe/Yukon. But it fell off every year after that.

Question is - what would the take rate be in 2025?

 

Surely a 3.0 six-cylinder diesel was the wrong diesel to put in the Escalade in the first place - a 4+ litre V8 with twin turbos would have been more appropriate, particularly if they hoped to sell it in Europe.