U.S. Clean Diesel Auto Sales Soar To 27 Percent Increase In 2011

Consumer Confidence in New Generation of Clean Diesels and New Fuel Efficiency Standards In U.S. to Drive Future Growth

WASHINGTON--Jan. 10, 2012: The sales of new clean diesel automobiles in the U.S. increased by an impressive 27.4 percent in 2011 over 2010, according to updated sales information compiled by Hybrid Cars and the market research firm Baum and Associates.

"Without a doubt, 2011 was a key year for the industry's effort to reestablish clean diesel automobiles in the United States," said Allen Schaeffer, the Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum.

"This 27 percent increase in annual sales is a strong sign that American drivers are understanding the benefits of new clean diesel technology in terms of better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.  I fully expected clean diesel auto sales to increase further as several new diesel cars enter the U.S. market in the next couple of years.  

"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 said. "

2011 Clean Diesel, Hybrid and Overall Market Sales By Month
The HybridCars.Com and Baum and Associates sales summary showed that clean diesel auto sales increased 27.4 percent in 2011 compared to the overall market's increase of 10.2 percent.

New Clean Diesel Automobiles Bound For the U.S. Market
Announced This Week At North American International Auto Show

• Chrysler this week at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit announced that it will be introducing a Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel in 2013 or 2014, and possibly other Jeep diesels later;
• General Motors announced that a diesel version of the Cadillac ATS would available in the U.S. in the near future;
• It was also announced that a diesel powered Porsche Cayenne would be coming to the U.S. in 2012.

In addition, major clean diesel announcements made prior to the Detroit show include:

• 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 S350 BlueTEC marks the return of the diesel-powered Mercedes-Benz S-Class to the United States in 2012 after a 17-year absence;
• The Volkswagen Passat, which was recently named the Motor Trend 2012 Car of the Year, began production of the Passat diesel in its new Chattanooga, TN plant in the summer of 2011.

"While most auto makers have clean diesel autos on the market in Europe, Asia and Australia, there are growing indications that even more diesels are on their way to the U.S. market," Schaeffer said.

By 2015, Baum and Associates expects diesel car sales to grow to 6.0 to 6.5 percent of the entire U.S. market, compared to just over 3.0 percent today. The research firm J.D. Power & Associates sees the U.S. diesel market share growing steadily to 7.4 percent by 2017.

ABOUT THE DIESEL TECHNOLOGY FORUM
The Diesel Technology Forum is a non-profit national organization dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of diesel engines, fuel and technology. Forum members are leaders in clean diesel technology and represent the three key elements of the modern clean-diesel system: advanced engines, vehicles and equipment, cleaner diesel fuel and emissions-control systems. For more information visit Diesel Forum .