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US clean diesel sales booming

Drivers are seeking more efficient transportation, and diesels deliver
By Ron Kotrba | April 18, 2012

Clean diesel automobile sales in the U.S. increased 35 percent during the first quarter of 2012, continuing the strong gains in diesel car purchases in 2011, according to new sales information compiled by HybridCars.Com and Baum and Associates.

The U.S. sales of clean diesel autos increased 39.6 percent in March 2012 over March 2011, 42.9 percent in February, and 21.2 percent in January.

During the first quarter, U.S. hybrid car sales increased 37.2 percent and the emerging plug-in electric car market saw a sales increase of 323 percent. The overall automobile market increased 13.4 percent in 2012, according to the new sales information.

 “This 35 percent increase in clean diesel auto sales during the first quarter of 2012 is a continuation of the 27 percent sales jump in 2011,” said Allen Schaeffer, the Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum. “With higher fuel prices, Americans are seeking more fuel efficient cars so it’s understandable that diesel and hybrid cars are showing such impressive sales increases. In addition, the new federal fuel efficiency standards that will required a 54.5 mpg average by 2025 will also boost clean diesel auto sales, as diesel cars are 20 to 40 more fuel efficient than gasoline versions.”

Schaeffer continued, saying, “American drivers are also recognizing the environmental benefits of the new clean diesel technology. Earlier this month, the Mercedes-Benz S 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY clean diesel received the prestigious ‘2012 World Green Car’ award during the New York International Auto Show. This followed the January announcement that the Volkswagen Passat TDI clean diesel had been selected the ‘2012 Earth, Wind & Power Car of the Year for Most Earth Friendly’ automobile. I expect clean diesel auto sales to increase further as several new diesel cars are introduced in the U.S. market in the next year.”

Numerous New Clean Diesels to Soon Be Available in U.S.

 The 2012 Porsche Cayenne clean diesel has just been introduced into the U.S. market and the following auto makers have announced plans to sell additional new clean diesel autos in the U.S.:

- Audi announced that it would be selling an Audi A6, A8 and Q5 TDI diesel in the U.S. in 2013. The A4 may still see a diesel version in 2014 or even as early as 2013.

- Chrysler announced that it will be introducing a Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel in 2013 or 2014, and possibly other Jeep diesels later. They also plan a new version of the discontinued Dakota pickup that will include a diesel, but timing is uncertain.

- Ford will offer diesel and gasoline engines in the new Transit full-size commercial van that goes on sale in the U.S. next year.

- General Motors announced that a diesel version of the Cadillac ATS would available in the U.S. in the near future. A diesel version of the hot-selling Chevrolet Cruze will begin sales in the U.S. in 2013.

- Mazda will become the first Asian car manufacturer to sell diesel cars in the U.S. when it introduces its SKYACTIV-D 2.2-liter clean diesel engine here.

- The Mercedes S350 BlueTEC marks the return of the diesel-powered Mercedes-Benz S-Class to the United States in 2012 after a 17-year absence. Mercedes also still plans to bring a diesel in the GLK and C-class for a total of eight diesel models by 2014.

- The newly redesigned 2012 VW Beetle will once again feature a TDI diesel version with the possible introduction of a Tiguan diesel later.

SOURCE: DIESEL TECHNOLOGY FORUM

 

5 Responses

  1. Peter Brown

    2012-04-18

    1

    This is a sort of good news bad news story. Does Clean Diesel have anything to do with Biodiesel? I looked online and the EPA site does not mention it, if you run biodiesel in a BlueTec diesel do you still have to fill that urea tank? If clean diesel is an euphemism for ULSD, there is still a ways to go because ULSD is an abrasive chemical that screams for biodiesel and only a handful of truckers are hearing their pain. The good news is that more and more car companies are bringing their diesel models to the USA and that is a blessing.

  2. Ron Kotrba

    2012-04-18

    2

    Peter, every diesel has something to do with biodiesel, for without diesels, there would be no need for biodiesel. Clean diesel means diesels that have higher tech combustion, aftertreatment systems for particulates and NOx, sophisticated onboard diagnostics, etc. Biodiesel Magazine has been covering for years how biodiesel interacts with clean diesel technologies (in DPFs for regen and in SCR and NOx traps for NOx reduction). There are of course issues with fuel dilution in the oil crankcase when higher blends of biodiesel are used in a clean diesel that employs post-injection. But not all diesels employ post-injection for DPF regen, some inject fuel into exhaust stream directly. Also, splitting late-post injection can help reduce fuel dilution. And there are additives developed to reduce engine wear as a result of fuel dilution. But the answer is, yes, of course this has to do with biodiesel. Thanks for your comment!

  3. Christian Antalics

    2012-04-18

    3

    None of these clean diesel cars can run biodiesel because of the way that fuel is sprayed in the exhaust stroke to ignite the catalytic thermal oxidizer that eliminates the soot. Biodiesel has a lower vapor pressure and some of the fuel condenses in the cylinder which then blends with the oil, gradually lowering the motor oil viscosity. The solution would be for the manufacturers to install a separate injection mechanism for the catalytic oxidizer, but that would add complexity and cost.

  4. Thierry Seguelong

    2012-04-19

    4

    The use of Biodiesel is well managed in Europe where B5 to B30 are available : B5 to B7 are currently available at the public gas station (RME-based biodiesel). All the OEMs Passenger Cars / MPV / SUV are using "in-cylinder" post-injection for exhaust thermal management (LNT and DPF regenerations). Of course, some of them reported Engine Oil Dilution issues (lower energy per mass, longer post-injection timing), but it seems well controlled and managed at the OEM Network and Dealershops. Only limited number of applications are currently using an Exhaust Port Fuel Injector for fuel vaporization for the EURO5 and they should move to the current "in-cylinder" injection measures at the EURO6 level (cost issue and injector fouling). So, combining Biodiesel and Clean Diesel is proven and a reality.

  5. Mike Elliott

    2012-04-24

    5

    I have understood through the years that the U.S. has been attempting to merge the "off-road" and "highway" diesels. The purpose was to make it easier for European diesels to enter the American market because there is only 1 fuel used in the rest of the world. Is this true and are we there, yet?

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