As I recall, one of the primary reasons folks in the U.S. avoid diesel
technology is that during a gas availability 'crisis' in the '80s, GM
'converted' standard gas engines to diesel, promoted them as The
Solution to The Problem and those engines (predictably) had major,
expensive service issues. Lawsuits ensued, PR flacks bailed and lots
of folks decided to forever stay with regular gas engines, thank you
very much.
That, and people in this country seem more than a bit resistant to
change. I still recall the outrage expressed when highway distance
signs were posted in both miles and kilometers in preparation for a
conversion to metric. I was looking forward to switching but others
prevailed and the signs had the metric references removed.
BTW, years ago I bought a Camry turbo-diesel and regret selling it --
got 40 mpg no matter how it was driven.
FWIW/ScottGee1
On 9/6/05, bs.pearce@xxxxxxx <bs.pearce@xxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> It's difficult to understand the antipathy towards
> > diesels in the US.
> Simple. The diesels sold here are by and large very primitive. Mostly in
> pickup trucks, they're rough and noisy.
>
> When in Italy last June, we rented a Renault (!) diesel convertible. We were
> all surprised and very, very pleased. It ran smoothly and quietly, and got
> amazing mileage. The most noticable thing was the 4500 rpm redline, but the
> six speed transmission more than made up for things. All the American list
> members are probably laughing loudly now, at the thought of a Renault
> (French cars do tend to self-destruct upon arrival at American ports), but
> I'd buy one today.
>
> I understand the European diesels are expecially popular due to tax breaks,
> but the economy and good performance must stand for something.
>
> I just read in Autoweek about a challenge between two Mercedes diesels (not
> that economical) and a new Lexus hybrid SUV. Guess what, in a cross-country
> trip, cost the least to operate? The diesels.
>
>
> Bill Pearce
>
>
>
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