Letters to the Editor

October 16, 2007

It's about time someone put this light-duty, diesel, present/future list together ("Current and Future Passenger Vehicles"). However, you didn't mention that Ford, DaimlerChrysler and General Motors (GM) plan to bring new, highly developed diesels to the half-ton pickup truck market. Considering all three of these companies rank in the top five of all U.S. light-duty passenger vehicle sales, this is a significant event and can net huge reductions in petroleum consumption and carbon dioxide output. Pickup diesels in the past have always been in the 8,501 gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or higher, and we haven't had diesels for half-tons (6,001-8,500 GVWR), which really limits pickup buyer choices. The only exception was the 6.2 V-8 diesel built by GM for the half-ton Chevys/GMCs in the late 1980s.

Also, Hyundai has already announced that it will equip the Veracruz SUV with a 3.0-liter V-6, Hyundai-built diesel for the United States as soon as the U.S. EPA can approve it. Hyundai representatives have said the company's vision is to equip its entire U.S. lineup with a clean diesel option.

Lastly, GM announced that the United States would get a diesel Cadillac CTS and a Saturn Aura diesel in 2010. The engine is a 200-plus horsepower, 2.9 V-6 that will get highway fuel economy in the mid-30s.

Gregory Faulkner
Rickman, Tenn.


I read your informative article about current and future passenger diesels in the United States in the August issue of Biodiesel Magazine. I thought you would have mentioned Mahindra & Mahindra's entry into the U.S. diesel market (www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=3842) or this interesting bit at www.autobloggreen.com/2007/05/31/mahindra-hopes-to-offer-diesel-small-trucks-suvs-and-sedans-in. I haven't heard anything much about this development since it was announced in May, but it seems interesting.

Ed Rahe
Advertising Sales
Equipment Dealer Magazine

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