[Diesel_Dave]

The resistance to diesel passenger cars in the US has frustrated me for a long time as well. There's been a few limited successes (Ford Escort, VW Rabitt, VW TDI's), but not a whole lot. For some reason, people just seem to have an aversion to them. Part of it I think is the "polluting, noisy, smelly" thing you referenced. All of which, by the way are pretty much untrue with modern diesels. Part of it is the increased initial cost (Americans love cheap things--sometime to a fault). Some people blame it on GM's pitifull attempt a "diesel-ifying" the 350 engine. One problem is that most of the American automakers don't have a clue how to design diesels properly.

One of the thing that I think is ironic is that one of the biggest reasons that diesels are big sellers in Europe isn't the FE, but the "sportiness" that comes with all that low end turbodiesel torque.

As far as your idea to start a business "American-izing" European diesels, while I wish you could, the good old EPA stands in your way. And to think that people think the EPA promotes good FE!