Quote:
Originally Posted by Arragonis
Just a quick question.
VW, Audi, Mercedes and BMW sell Diesels in the US, a restricted few only though I think?
GM (Opel / Vauxhall) and Ford both make Diesels in the EU. These meet the same emissions limits as the those models above do.
So do Chevrolet EU (aka Daewoo), Kia, Hyundai and even Honda and Toyota.
So why not in the US ?
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Diesel engines in europe don't meet the same emissions limits as the US. The engines VW/Audi and MB sell in the US have additional emissions equipment and slightly higher fuel consumption than the same engines sold in Europe. Factor in that gasoline costs $4.00/gallon and diesel is 10% more expensive and diesel is kind of pointless for most people. The cheapest diesel sold in the US (Jetta) costs exactly the same as a Prius. The Prius has a much lower cost per mile and a bigger interior. You can get a Honda Insight for $4000 less than a Prius or a Jetta.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/compx...Field=Findacar
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/2008c...f.jsp?id=30656
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/2008c...f.jsp?id=30843