VW TDI Gets $1,300 Federal Tax Credit

Frank Williams
by Frank Williams

Even though diesel fuel costs more than gasoline, even though diesel engines cost more than their gasoline equivalents, VW plans to sell TDI versions of the Jetta and Sportwagon stateside in 2009. To get the party started, VeeDub's announced that TDI buyers will be eligible for a $1.3k Federal Income Tax Credit. Yup, your tax money in their pocket, under the Advanced Lean Burn Technology Motor Vehicle credit program. The EPA has certified the TDI at 29 mpg city, 41 mpg highway. BUT VW cites test results from "leading third-party certifier, AMCI" (paid by VW of course) claiming the models get 38 mpg in the city and 44 on the highway. And while they work that one out, Toyota can't build enough their gas – electric Priora fast enough, even with a $500 price hike. [Source: VW]

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  • M1EK M1EK on Jul 30, 2008

    quasimondo, we oughtn't be subsidizing dirty cars like the TDI. That's the point. Hybrids are worth the subsidy because their emissions are so low.

  • Philipwitak Philipwitak on Jul 30, 2008

    re: "...why is the government less short sighted & corruptible than anyone else? ...who regulates the regulators?" toxicroach / July 29th, 2008 at 9:00 pm the government isn't 'less short-sighted or corruptible than anyone else' - in fact, given all its power, influence and authority, government has the very real potential to be more short-sighted and corrupt - and therein lies a great problem. [but i don't see any sort of flaw in logic] your second question gets right to the heart of the matter: "...who regulates the regulators?" and the answer to that question is intended to be: the people. the citizenry. the public. primarily through its selection and support of its representatives. unfortunately, for the vast majority of us, the people have fallen far short in this effort, especially lately. and so, we suffer the consequences as a direct result. the prescription for our troubles is quite simple to state and damn near impossible to ensure. but that doesn't mean we shouldn't be persistently trying with all our collective might. the prescription is political involvement - awareness, attentiveness and action as may be necessary - which of course includes the vote, but is certainly not limted to only that.

  • Joeaverage Joeaverage on Jul 30, 2008
    M1EK: Diesels don’t deserve a tax credit because they’re dirty. More dirty than some gas-powered SUVs. Yes, even the clean diesel is just barely clean enough to be sold here - not clean enough to be worth giving preferential tax treatment to. I agree - let's get all of those busses, trucks, and construction equipment off the road and out of commision! They are ruining the atmosphere! I lied - I'll take my TDI as a wagon with a stick please...
  • Linda Linda on Dec 09, 2008

    I don't understand why so many people are complaining about the VW JETTA TDI tax credit. If you have test driven one, then why complain. I have a Blk Jetta 2006 TDI and it drives sweeeeet! I am a woman and I don't know about cars, but my Jetta is real nice and it saves me money on gas. Why are people complaining about GM and their mess with asking the Government for Billions of dollars. It doesn't make any sense at all. I will tell you this I love my VW JETTA TDI not because of the tax credit either, it's because the car runs good and treat me well on the highways.

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