Following Volkswagen Group’s disastrous diesel scandal, it left a void for mainstream diesel vehicles, and that’s something General Motors will continue to exploit.
Steve Kiefer, GM senior vice president-Global Purchasing and Supply Chain, made the comments during the Center for Automotive Research’s Management Briefing Seminars, according to Wards Auto, and reaffirmed the automaker’s commitment to diesel-powered vehicles. In the future, he alluded to diesel engines arriving in all shapes, sizes and vehicle segments—someting we’ve already begun to see.
The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox and 2018 GMC Terrain will be among the only crossovers to offer a diesel engine when the vehicles begin shipping out to dealerships; the Chevrolet Cruze diesel is the only new-mainstream compact car available with a diesel powertrain, unless a “new” and “fixed” Volkswagen diesel is on a buyer’s shopping list.
Although their cleanliness has been a hot topic, there’s no denying the diesel engines’ efficiency. Surpassing the 50 MPG mark in a non-hybrid vehicle—a feat achieved by the Cruze diesel—is a pretty big deal. This strategy will certainly allow GM to continue achieving CAFE requirements and any future fuel economy regulations that come and go.
Comments
I wonder if those who recycle cooking oils will eventually buy a Diesel Equinox and drive cleanly, leaving a “fried potato” or “fried chicken” odor among the nauseating petroleum odors from other Diesel vehicles.
Do your homework. Diesel propulsion offers many benefits. Wonder why trains and trucks, that MOVE AMERICA, use diesel exclusively-?? And, also do a little homework on the TOTAL IMPACT, over its total life from birth to death of electric vehicle versus a similar ‘carbon fuel’ powered vehicle–electric needs to IMPROVE A BUNCH. ….. just saying. ……. eeh
You mean those diesel-electric trains that move America?
Yes sir. Diesel power runs the generator to run a ‘motor’. . …… Right on. …. eeh
Many who want a diesel will be waiting for one of the approx. 325,000 re-purchased VW’s that now have an EPA approved fix. Sure they will lose a few MPG’s, but there will be some nice 2012-14’s coming back into the marketplace at clearance prices.
I am curious if these diesels make sense. I like them for the better MPG but with the higher initial cost and higher fuel price, it would seem that the breakeven point is pretty far down the line. Have they kept the reliability diesels are known for in these small more complex engines?
They should be committed to electric vehicles, as that’s the way of the future?. While Even VW has moved on, to almost completely electrifying its lineup, including revamping its subsidiaries such as Audi, Bentley, and Porsche. If they’re committed, and no longer making diesel vehicles for North America, why can’t GM take the hint?
Well, who says, what knowlegeable authority, says VW, Porsche, Audi are doing the proper thing given CURRENT, electric technology. I say this driving a TDI daily right at the moment. …. Diesel power does take time to pay for ‘itself’, but if you buy smart, knowing some places diesel fuel is less expensive than gasoline, then the ‘payoff period’ is fairly short. ……and, the TORQUE is wonderful. You advertise horsepower but you drive torque. …… eeh
Europeans love diesels because of their efficiency as large sedans can have a turbocharged six cylinder diesels to achieve good acceleration without sacrificing fuel economy; the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel has a EPA highway rating of 52 mpg meaning it has the same mileage of most hybrids.
One has to suspect that we’ll see a wide spectrum of diesel power vehicles from General Motors including diesel electric hybrids to achieve mileage in the 60-65 mpg range.
I drive a GOLF TDI daily (6 speed), with 46,100 miles to date. Being a statistical idiot, using a calculator, not the vehicle computer, I get between a LOW of 44.7 mpg to a HIGH of 67.1 mpg, depending on highways used and driving conditions. The life mpg averages at 50.2 …….. zero maintenance costs beyond oil/filter changes every 3,000 miles. Hopefully, planning, to order a new CRUZE HATCHBACK DIESEL (6 speed) REDLINE SOON, once they ‘hit’ the dealer network. ….. Really enjoy diesel torque and mileage. …….. eeh
GM has been trying to push electric vehicles onto the masses for a very long time now. The buying public, which are the ones any manufacturer tries to please are the ones who dictate what any manufacturer builds. “Build it and they will come” was a great line out of a mediocre movie but history has proven that’s not true when it comes to vehicles. For those like me who live in rural areas or who need to drive considerable distances will never embrace an electric vehicle. The only one to come close to meeting our needs is the Chevy Volt with a gasoline generator to power the electric drivetrain once the batteries are depleted. However, any car will forever be too small to meet all my needs otherwise. I’m on my third diesel truck since 1994 and love them. European Government regulations forcing people into electric or hybrid are very narrow focused and short sighted. They work fine for short distance city commutes but that is their limit. Not many people can afford two or more vehicles to meet their varying needs. Raymondjram, don’t judge a fuel by the actions of a few who chip their vehicles to bypass the expensive pollution controls and spew unburnt fuel in the form of black exhaust or thirty + year old vehicles. Modern diesels are very clean and efficient. Also, since 1994 when I bought my first diesel truck, diesel prices have been significantly lower than gasoline for 90 % of that time. I applaud GM for their efforts and tenacity to educate the masses and offer gasoline buyers an option that does provide healthy acceleration, fuel efficiency, much longer engine life and clean environmental emissions. I also agree that when looking at electric power, you have to look at the entire package. From mining expensive lithium in far from environmentally friendly open pit mines, recycling batteries and far from safe and environmentally friendly electric generating plants. How’s your radioactive Pacific seafood tasting now? Anybody remember Chernobyl? Coal and natural gas electric plants aren’t the answer either.