Clean-Diesel Sales Up 25 Percent In The US For 2014
Though hardly any of the offerings can be found in a brown wagon with a six-speed manual pushing power to the back, U.S. sales of clean-diesel vehicles have climbed up 25 percent this year.
Autoblog Green reports clean-diesels are set to double their current 3 percent of total vehicles sold in the U.S. by 2018, according to Diesel Technology Forum. The group also noted the 25 percent jump is besting overall sales thus far in 2014, having only seen a boost of 4.2 percent in comparison.
As for the cause of the leap into oil-burning, consumers seeking better fuel economy find a 30 percent gain when the engine quietly purrs, especially when 27 of the 46 available clean-diesel models for the U.S. market are cars and SUVs. Winners include Audi and Chevrolet, both moving 8,100 and 3,000 units through the first half of 2014. Meanwhile, Volkswagen, lost 8 percent in sales during the same period, though still lead the way with 42,000 vehicles leaving the lot.
Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.
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The VM Motori 3.0 diesel in the high volume Ram 1500 will add to these totals.
Are there dirty-diesel vehicles for sale? What is the difference between the two?
I wouldn't mind test-driving the Cruze diesel, but who knows if the Chevy dealers around here actually have any. That and I doubt any dealership would ever let a guy test drive a car who can't afford to actually buy it. :P
There should always be air quotes around the "clean" in "clean" diesel. It's still much dirtier than modern gas engines, and not even in the same universe as most hybrids. And hybrids offer less maintenance than gasoline cars in general; while "clean" diesels are requiring more (urea systems, etc).