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Latest Clean Diesel Cars and Pickup Trucks Showcased At Washington D.C. Auto Show


PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)
Rudolph Diesel

SEE ALSO: Should You Buy Hybrid or Diesel? - Just The Bottom line Facts

Over A Dozen Fuel-Efficient Diesel Car, Truck and SUV Choices Now Available

Washington, D.C. January 31, 2011; The newest and most advanced clean diesel cars are being showed at the 10-day Washington D.C. Auto Show which opened on last week at the Washington Convention Center and runs through February 6th.

The Diesel Technology Forum (DTF), a nonprofit association that advances the use of clean diesel technology, participated in the auto show’s “Advanced Technology SuperHighway�??, which highlighted the advancements in electric, diesel, natural gas, advanced petroleum, biofuels, ethanol, hydrogen and safety technologies.

Allen Schaeffer, the DTF Executive Director, offered some insight on the new clean diesel autos and some of the highlights of Washington D.C. event.

"Today's consumers are more discerning than ever - being driven by what's valuable today and what will be valuable tomorrow. Clean diesel cars certainly fit that bill. The Washington Auto Show puts on display in one location the wide array of fuels and technologies we can drive today and what we’ll be driving in the future - from plug-in electric cars to hybrids and clean diesel cars. More than a dozen choices of clean diesel options are now available for consumers, and on display here.

Volkswagen Group’s entire clean diesel TDI line up is on stage in Washington, including the new Passat TDI, which will be rolling off the assembly line in Chattanooga in just a few months. Audi is displaying the 2010 Green Car of the Year the Audi A3 TDI, along with the refined and powerful Q7 TDI.

BMW's successful X5 xDrive35d Sport Activity vehicle is on display. BMW's CEO Jim O'Donnell highlighted the incredible success of their diesel options last year, noting that the BMW X5 enjoyed a 27 percent increase in sales in 2010. But, the X5 Advanced Diesel model sales were up 73 percent. Every one of these vehicles improved fuel efficiency on average more than 20 percent and provided better CO2 performance as well. In fact, nearly one in four X5s sold in 2010 were diesels. Sales of the 335d (diesel) sedan were up 130 percent over 2009. He also committed that ‘you’ll see more BMW Advanced Diesel models from us in the future’.

GM, Ram & Ford Highlight Why Diesel Power Is the Only Choice for Both Work & Play

Heavy-duty diesel-powered pick-up trucks from GM, Ram and Ford on display at the show highlight why diesel power is the only choice for both work and play. They offer incredible towing performance and payload capabilities while still returning impressive fuel economy. And all three of these options can take biodiesel up to a 20 percent blend.

"Diesel Vehicles Are Better Value Than Gasoline Engines" Carnegie Mellon Tepper Study

In addition, anew study released January 28th by the Carnegie Mellon Tepper School of Business reveals that despite the slightly higher purchase price associated with diesel-engine vehicles, they are a better value compared to vehicles with gasoline engines because of their lower operating costs and higher resale value over time.

The study by researchers at CMU's Tepper School of Business, underwritten by Bosch, noted diesel's better fuel efficiency and a residual value up to 30 percent higher than traditional port-fuel injection (PFI) gasoline-powered vehicles.

According to Lester Lave, University Professor and Higgins Professor of Economics at CMU's Tepper School of Business: "It's been generally known that diesel vehicles typically post lower operating costs because of their increased fuel economy. But that’s only one element of the equation. Our study considered a vehicle’s initial price and resale value along with other operating and maintenance costs’.�??

The study, titled "Comparing Resale Prices and Total Cost of Ownership for Gasoline, Hybrid and Diesel Passenger Cars and Trucks" also found that the price differential between a clean diesel passenger car and a traditional PFI gasoline-powered vehicle could be recouped in less than 18 months of driving. In addition, clean diesels deliver on average of 30 percent better fuel economy than their gasoline counterparts. All of this translates into savings for the consumer, Lave said.

Diesel Cars 20% to 40% More Efficient Than Gas Engines

Diesel autosare extremely fuel efficient, typically getting 20 to 40 percent more miles to the gallon than a comparable gasoline engine," Schaeffer said. "In addition, they have significantly more power than hybrids and electric cars. And the new ultra-low sulfur diesel (USLD) required since December 1, 2010 has decreased diesel sulfur emissions by 97 percent since the 2006 levels."

In a nutshell, clean diesel cars have the overall best combination of fuel efficiency, power and durability.�??

Diesel Auto Sales Are Growing

Schaeffer said the U.S. auto market provides, huge potential' for increased diesel auto sales. While almost 50 percent of all new autos sold in Europe are diesel-powered, slightly less than three percent of U.S. cars and lights trucks were diesels.

But diesel sales are beginning to increase in the U.S. by impressive numbers," Schaeffer said. "Sales of clean diesel cars increased by 37 percent in 2010, while hybrid sales fell about six percent in the same period (www.hybridcars.com). Month over month sales of all clean diesel cars was up 14 percent in December over November 2009, and 18.6 percent over December 2009."

There are 30 hybrid car choices and 12 clean diesel choices for consumers in 2010, but that number will be growing on both accounts.

In addition, Schaeffer said an increase in diesel care usage would help reduce America's petroleum consumption. According to officials at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, America could save up to 1.4 million barrels of oil per day, an amount equivalent to the oil we currently import from Saudi Arabia, if one-third of U.S. cars, pickups and SUVs were diesel-powered.

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 www.dieselforum.org.