Ford Fiesta Diesel, the 65 MPG Car the U.S. Can't Have

• SEE ALSO: Fiesta Econetic - Ford's Most Frugal Car

LONDON - September 19, 2008: David Kiley writing for BusisnessWeek reported that if ever there was a car made for the times, this would seem to be it: a sporty subcompact that seats five, offers a navigation system, and gets a whopping 65 miles to the gallon. Oh yes, and the car is made by Ford Motor, known widely for lumbering gas hogs.

The ECOnetic will go on sale in Europe in November.

Ford's 2009 Fiesta ECOnetic goes on sale in November. But here's the catch: Despite the car's potential to transform Ford's image and help it compete with Toyota Motor and Honda Motor in its home market, the company will sell the little fuel sipper only in Europe. "We know it's an awesome vehicle," says Ford America President Mark Fields. "But there are business reasons why we can't sell it in the U.S." The main one: The Fiesta ECOnetic runs on diesel.

Click PLAY to watch the complete Ford Fiesta ECOnetic press conference
at the 2008 British Motor Show

Automakers such as Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz have predicted for years that a technology called "clean diesel" would overcome many Americans' antipathy to a fuel still often thought of as the smelly stuff that powers tractor trailers. Diesel vehicles now hitting the market with pollution-fighting technology are as clean or cleaner than gasoline and at least 30% more fuel-efficient.

Click PLAY to watch the complete Ford Fiesta press conference
at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show

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