Why Diesel is Not Going to be a Hit in Japan Anytime Soon

[SVOboy]

It seems like a different European automaker is coming out with a new diesel engine or vehicle option every day. Over here in Japan however, the was quite a lot of hype over one or two diesel cars that might be sold by Honda or Toyota in the United States. Everyone was excited to see the [...] Related posts:

1. Car Culture in Japan
2. Toyota Yaris Diesel Wins World MPG Marathon with 70.49 MPG
3. Audi Cross-Country Rally Touts Diesel Economy

More...

[cfg83]

SVOboy -

I think you have some typos :

I think most of us would admit that diesel has serious image flaws in the United States, but that has [missing NOT] prevented VW’s new TDI models from flying off the showroom floors and generating quite a bit of buzz. However, if we are going to understand the reluctance of Japanese companies to bring diesel anywhere, we need to understand the reality of diesel in Japan.

In Japan, diesel is still relatively restricted to off-road construction equipment, big transport trucks, a[nd] soot-spewing public buses. The first time I saw one of these buses I thought “wow, how odd.”

CarloSW2

[Piwoslaw]

Originally Posted by cfg83

SVOboy -

I think you have some typos :

SVOboy is on vacation and he has someone write his texts for him
Just kidding. Good job, SVOboy-san

But seriously, smoke-spewing busses and trucks do give diesels a bad image. The only way to change that would be to let people try new diesels, with turbos and commonrails, and maybe even biodiesel, to show them that they handle like other cars, but use 20% less fuel.
And getting a hold on bus emissions is a priority.