18 Votes

Boost it!

Diesel's Days Aren't Doomed, Just Bring Cheaper Versions!

Agent00R submitted on 8/3/2009 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 5:07:49 PM

23 user comments | Category: Misc News | Source: | SOURCE: automotive-times.blogspot.com

Inspired by a recent MarketWatch article, could not help but weigh in on this topic.

Diesel has come a long way and it is time it has received its recognition. And slowly but surely it is starting to make headway in terms of sales. What is the saying? Slow and steady wins the race?

Anyone keeping up to date in advances in alternative energy vehicles should have read at least once by now that diesel has made tremendous advancements. No longer is it plagued by the past's debilitating issues and it does not emit that horrendous cloud of thick, black smoke. How do I know?

Last year, Audi brought me along on the Audi Mileage Marathon and the experience proved to me that diesel is going to give hybrids and electric vehicles a damn good run for their money....


Read Article

Diesel's Days Aren't Doomed, Just Bring Cheaper Versions!

About the Author

Agent00R

"There are two opinions in this world. Mine and the wrong one." -- Jeremy Clarkson

— Agent00R (View Profile)


User Comments

chewy

VW sold more diesels than Ford sold hybrids.

— chewy (View Profile)

Posted on 8/3/2009 5:36:11 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

tango

I agree with EVERY word in that article. Nothiong more needs to be said on the matter, except the following. A barrel of crude oil is 42 gallons. From the average barrel one obtains about 9 gallons of diesel. That's about 21% by volume. The only real solution is to spread that 21% to where it is NEEDED. States and countries that can use B100 (100% biodiesel) should do so and sell or trade at least some of their petrodiesel reserves to states/countries that can't. States that can have B100 are those where it doesn't get colder than about 15degC during the winter. That should encourage an industry as well as drive down the cost of the commodity. Biodiesel also does not produce many of the inherent pollutants that petro-diesel does so things like urea systems wouldn't be needed. That in itself would help drive the cost of the cars down.

— tango (View Profile)

Posted on 8/3/2009 5:36:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Joe_Limon

the other 79% doesn't disappear the refining process gets many different types of chemicals and fuels from that one barrel. Biodiesel isn't any greener, and depending on the source, can use up valuable food resources. Something we shouldn't be doing when people are still starving in third world countries.

— Joe_Limon (View Profile)

Posted on 8/3/2009 5:49:48 PM | | Votes: 4   

1995e34

first you want to feed the hungry. then you want to offer them health care. then they get to learn how to read. whats next, voting rights and land ownership? caring about the needy is a slippery slope. ronald reagan promoted anarchy for a reason, sir.

— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/5/2009 8:56:45 AM | | Votes: 1   

thetruth01

How many Jetta TDIs is VW going to sell when the (ridiculously limited) IRS tax credit runs out?

— thetruth01 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/3/2009 5:55:47 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

Willis

You really shouldn't compare the A4 to a Euro Toyota Avensis.

— Willis (View Profile)

Posted on 8/3/2009 7:48:17 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6   

sstainba

you are forgetting one thing... the lexus is ugly as shit. i don't care how great the efficiency of the car is, i would NEVER buy one of those ugly ass "luxury" cars. i'd rather drive the audi with half the mpg.

— sstainba (View Profile)

Posted on 8/4/2009 10:40:41 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

huu76

How is a diesel supposed to get cheaper when the Germans keep on raising the diesel "premium"?

Do you not realize how much money the Germans have spent brainwashing people into believing that its their honour to pay more for something that's cheaper to build? Killing the goose than lays their golden egg? The Germans aren't going to do something that stupid.

Chewy,
Toyota sold more Prius' last month than all the German diesels combined and not a single one of those diesels outmilages the Prius (you'd be hard pressed to find one in Europe that can do it). They almost sell more Prius' in one month than VW sells Jetta TDIs all year and this is with VW's gov't incentives still on the table.

tango,
Biodiesel takes in the same energy as it spits out, sometimes using up more than it produces. If you think biofuels are so great, check the mileage on an E85 vehicle (i.e Chevy Sierra) and the mileage is about 50% of a regular gasoline model.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/3/2009 8:07:47 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

Joe_Limon

Anything green is brainwashing. That's why cars such as the prius are being marketed with "feel good" emotions and an utter void of any facts. I mean look at this...

http://www.toyota.com/

All you see is some nice green rolling hills a prius and a phrase "harmony between man nature and machine" lol that is brainwashing at it's finest.

It's a brilliant ad campaign though, why go after smart people when the vast majority of people buying the car are looking for a "feel good" car.

— Joe_Limon (View Profile)

Posted on 8/3/2009 8:17:29 PM | | Votes: 4   

chewy

The Prius is the only hybrid that sells in any significant number. All other hybrids have fairly small sales figures. Not any higher than what VW does with its TDIs.

— chewy (View Profile)

Posted on 8/3/2009 10:04:02 PM | | Votes: 4   

huu76

These are the facts.
For the same price as the Jetta TDI, the Prius gives 50mpgs combined (16 more than the TDI), 1/2 the emissions, uses just over 1/2 the oil that the Jetta burns and doesn't look like a Corolla clone.

What's VW's argument for the TDI, "It's sooooo European, so pay up"?
The Germans have used diesels to corner the market on stupidity. Intelligent people can see the difference between the reality of hybrids and marketing schemes of diesels.

The Prius doesn't just feel damn good, but it actually is that good.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/3/2009 8:48:05 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -5   

Joe_Limon

These are the facts.

For $5000 more then the Jetta TDI, the Camry Hybrid gives exactly the same fuel economy as the TDI.

Honestly, I'd rather drive a PT Cruiser then a prius. At least the PT cruiser I can fix, looks better has more power/performance lolol and if I were an American, I could even pick one up for less then 10g with all the rebates flying through the air. (and no I am not saying the PT Cruiser looks good, it looks horrible in my opinion)

— Joe_Limon (View Profile)

Posted on 8/3/2009 9:27:08 PM | | Votes: 6   

bigTYME

"What's VW's argument for the TDI..."

Maybe you haven't seen the "What does your hybrid sound like?" commercial. The Corolla clone you speak of looks and drives much better than the cheese wedge. It's also cheaper.

— bigTYME (View Profile)

Posted on 8/4/2009 1:06:15 AM | | Votes: 3   

TurboSpyder

"What's VW's argument for the TDI, 'It's sooooo European, so pay up'?"



How about the fact that the Jetta TDI is 2 seconds faster to 60 and much more fun to drive than a Prius?


"Drive the TDI for a while and hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius suddenly lose much of their appeal (because they suddenly seem overly costly, complex, and not much fun at all—not to mention drivetrain dynamics that feel like a cross between an electric toy train and a kitchen mixer). By contrast, the SportWagen TDI’s 'clean diesel' technology demonstrates that you can have terrific (and environmentally responsible) real-world fuel efficiency and big fun, all at the same time—a combination we find irresistible."

http://www.nextautos.com/car/2009-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-sportwagen-wagon

— TurboSpyder (View Profile)

Posted on 8/4/2009 12:26:09 PM | | Votes: 2   

Invisible

After test driving a Prius, other than 50mpg, the car is a complete failure. Without a doubt, the worst driving car on the market. The most horribly numb appliance I have ever piloted.

NO THANKS.

— Invisible (View Profile)

Posted on 8/4/2009 12:47:03 PM | | Votes: 3   

AlexTx

Haven't you heard of the JETTA TDI Cup?
You know the racing series??
Try this with a Prius..

1 tank will do 2 freaking races!!!

— AlexTx (View Profile)

Posted on 8/4/2009 3:34:02 PM | | Votes: 2   

Yonder7

Diesels still a good option, and the trend is to offer better prices in the future.

— Yonder7 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/4/2009 8:53:59 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

pennfootball

Electric cars are the Future yum yum...and in the really distant future, 25-50 years, Hydrogen too. Diesel cars ARE STILL SLOWER...Diesel Cars are Heavier too from their cast iron blocks, They are good in trucks...not in a Porsche.

— pennfootball (View Profile)

Posted on 8/4/2009 10:33:09 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

huu76

AlexTX,
When I decide to race a Jetta TDI, I'll take it into consideration.

Invisible,
You must be an enthusiast.

Turbospyder,
Just means they'll reach the gas station 2 seconds faster while the Prius will just pass it by.

Bigtyme,
Add an automatic transmission and rear airbags and suddenly the Jetta TDI is the same price as the Prius.
Complaining the Prius is too quiet has more to do with diesel manufacturers knowing their engines will always be loud. Do Prius drivers drive around with their eyes closed so blind people have to rely on their ears to avoid one?

Yonder7,
Nobody over here wants a motorized pop can which is exactly what your lower priced diesels are. Tiny little cars that a Prius would probably crush.

Joe_limon,
Go ahead, pick up a PT Cruiser. They're so good Chrysler had to discontinue them.

About the Camry, the Camry-hybrid is faster (barely) and has 10 more cu.ft of interior room and a helluva lot more standard features than the Jetta TDI. With hybrids, you get what you pay for. With diesels, you get to pay more :)
People who want a bigger vehicle with the latest technology, they can pay more for a Camry-hybrid. For those wanting mileage, they'll go with the Prius. For the dummies, they get diesels.

What will the argument be when the Jetta TDI nolonger qualifies for the gov't rebate?

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/5/2009 12:04:17 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

1995e34

i was just thinking about this the other day. in bmw's case, how is anyone going to be sold on diesel if they only offer the 335d? i know there's less expensive diesel models available, with good performance AND a stickshift!

— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/5/2009 8:52:03 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

huu76

btw AlexTX,
Are all Jetta TDI's sold the 'Cup' model, or is that just a specially modified TDI that costs $300,000?

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/5/2009 11:40:41 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Add your Comments

Images hosted in your AgentSpace can now be posted in the comments section using the following syntax (case matters): [img]IMAGE URL[/img]
Example: [img]http://agent001.myautospies.com/images/sample.jpg[/img]