Monday, March 20, 2006

Will GM beat Ford to the punch with Diesels for US?

I read this article over the weekend at AutoBlog, saying that GM could be bringing Diesels from their European models here to the US. A 3.0 liter V6 and a 4.7 liter V8. Now the V6 makes sense, and I expected Saab to have one, but the 4.7 V8? Why no I4 Diesels? But we'll have to see what GM has in mind. But it was innevitable that one of the "Domestic" automakers would tap their Euro assets for Diesels.

Ford has a comprehensive range of I4 and V6 Deiels that could be brought to the US. From the Fiesta 1.4 DuraTorq to the new 3.0 V6 from the new Ranger, there are several choices that could easilly be planted in new and existing models from the blue oval.

But will Chrysler beat both to the punch? They already have the 2.8l I4 Common Rail Diesel in the Jeep Liberty, and of course the I5 Turbo Diesels in their Sprinter vans. But could we see Parent Mercedes lend Chrysler their BlueTec powerplants for the E based 300/Magnum/Charger? What about Mitsubishi Diesels? Chrysler no longer owns much of a stake in Mitsu, but shared platforms could mean shared powerplants.

So who shoots first? Who has the foresight and guts to bring a Diesel back into a "Domestic" vehicle? Obviuosly Jeep division of Chrysler is there and rumors of CDI Calibers have been spotted by people like the AutoProphet.

click the link and read AutoBlog's article on GM's efforts.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

What is Ford's new tag line ? something about inovation right?

Mada beat even Volkswagon out in the US with Direct Injection. Ford should Strike with a deisel in the Fusion and Focus.


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