With fuel economy targets still looming in the distance for automakers, General Motors is taking a diesel-centric approach to meet said targets. The Detroit News reports the automaker’s newfound love affair with oil burners is part of a strategy to ensure it meets the 54.5 MPG Corporate Average Fuel Economy targets of 2025.
Despite lobbying to reconsider the time frame, the EPA has upheld the CAFE targets, meaning GM is working double time on the diesel strategy. But, GM sees plenty of opportunities to expand reach for the unloved fuel in the U.S., too.
“The outlook for diesel in the U.S.A. is actually promising,” Dan Nicholson, GM’s vice president of global propulsion systems, said. “We definitely see certain segments reaching 10 percent penetration and yes, an upside potential of 10 percent overall.”
And the push for additional diesel models in the United States is also a chance at GM winning over scorned Volkswagen customers following the emission scandal’s various fallouts.
The first vehicle to arrive under GM’s diesel strategy will be the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze diesel, which was recently rated with a seriously impressive 52 MPG highway rating. Following the Cruze diesel, which is on sale now, the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox and 2018 GMC Terrain will arrive with the same 1.6-liter turbo diesel unit.
There is a wildcard, though. The 1.6-liter turbo diesel engine is currently manufactured by Opel. If you’ve been under a rock, GM is currently in discussions with PSA Group to potentially unload the Opel brand onto the French automaker. Should this occur, there are plenty of questions over what will become of GM-Opel’s manufacturing and engineering operations.
Comments
As someone with a longer distance daily commute, I would absolutely be interested in a full size diesel sedan. I love the size and comfort of my 2010 impala, but it won’t last forever.
Also a diesel half ton is essential in the next gen trucks.
I wonder if they put a hybrid system like from the malibu, would it increase fuel economy more, diesel-electric. Could it work
It is all vs cost . where i am, desil coss more than premium. no savings despite higher mpg
Johnsons Control had a representative on Autoline After Hours a couple of months ago stated that a 48-volt mild hybrid module could be built for as low as $2,500 per vehicle and this could increase mileage of some vehicles to reach the CAFE 2025 guidelines under the Obama Admin.
in my area the diesel pump area looks like a toxic waste dump with oil dry since diesel fuel does not evaporate like gasoline spread all around to suck up the spilled diesel fuel that the contractors filling their equipment. you get diesel fuel on your hands or clothes you are going home to change clothes and wash your hands to get rid of the smell and how many women are going to fuel up while standing in all that oil dry in their open toed shoes ???
I agree motorman. Most diesel pumps in my area are much dirtier than their gasoline counterparts. However, that won’t make any difference to my wife as the “gas fairy” (me) fills up her car when it needs it. I feel the need to drive it weekly as her solution to any noise is to turn the radio up.
Folks, I have a 2010 VW TDI. For those of you who don’t know, that’s a diesel. It’s by far the best car I’ve ever owned in my life. And at 56 years old, I’ve had a lot of cars. Fantastic gas mileage, the torque is amazing, only need to change my oil every 10,000 miles (not 3-4000 like gas cars). Diesel engines last approximately twice as long as gas engines. And it’s a manual so it’s very fun to drive. No tune-ups are needed on diesels because they have no spark plugs.
Honestly, my current diesel is the best car I’ve ever owned. I very highly recommend it! My cousin had a 2001 VW Golf diesel with approx 385,000 miles on it. Same engine. He’s the one who told me over 7 years ago that when you buy a diesel there’s no going back to gas. I’ve now owned my TDI for over 7 years, and he was right. I don’t ever want a gasoline engine engine again.
You will love the diesel. And at 52 mpg on the highway (this new Cruze) that beats my current diesel.
Folks, I have a 2010 VW TDI. For those of you who don’t know, that’s a diesel. It’s by far the best car I’ve ever owned in my life. And at 56 years old, I’ve had a lot of cars. Fantastic gas mileage, the torque is amazing, only need to change my oil every 10,000 miles (not 3-4000 like gas cars). Diesel engines last approximately twice as long as gas engines. And it’s a manual so it’s very fun to drive. No tune-ups are needed on diesels because they have no spark plugs.
Honestly, my current diesel is the best car I’ve ever owned. I very highly recommend it! My cousin had a 2001 VW Golf diesel with approx 385,000 miles on it. Same engine. He’s the one who told me over 7 years ago that when you buy a diesel there’s no going back to gas. I’ve now owned my TDI for over 7 years, and he was right. I don’t ever want a gasoline engine engine again.
You will love the diesel. And at 52 mpg on the highway (this new Cruze) that beats my current diesel.
I agree with everything you said, except when you said that cars need an oil change every 3-4000 miles. Only HD trucks need an oil change every 4000 miles, modern cars go anywhere from 7000 to 15000 miles between oil changes.
My 2016 2500HD Duramax goes about 7500 between oil changes.
Plugs are good for 100,000 miles and that is the only “tune-up” part left on modern gasoline engines.
Also, diesels don’t last twice as long anymore either. GM says the 6.0 gasser is good for at least 200,000 miles.
Don’t get me wrong, I drive a diesel truck and would certainly consider a diesel suv for the wife but gassers have come a LONG way! BTW, I am 47. I remember tune-ups very well. I also remember GMs first foray into diesels. Not good. Not good at all.
How much further can the government push the fuel economy ratings up? Will we see 100 MPG regulations someday?
I really don’t care if they keep pushing the mpg numbers up as long as we are still allowed to buy and drive our high performance cars and trucks!
I have a 1970 chevy truck with a 383/700r4 and I have no intention to ever stop driving it!