Study: Diesels To Outpace Hybrids
By Michelle Krebs July 16, 2007Yet another study forecasts diesels, of which there are few now, outpacing hybrids in the U.S. in the future.
Siemens VDO Automotive Corp. projects in an article in todayâs Automotive News that U.S. diesel sales will grow to 867,000 units in 2012, up from an estimated 653,000 units this year. Hybrid sales are projected at 510,000 units in 2012, up from an estimated 193,000 units this year.
This forecast could be perceived as self-serving since Siemens VDO Automotive is one of the largest suppliers of diesel fuel-injection systems. Nonetheless, the supplier has the inside scoop on who is planning what vehicles in the future.
Aside from trucks, only some Mercedes-Benz models and the Jeep Grand Cherokees are sold with diesels in the U.S. Next year, Volkswagen adds diesels in its Jetta, New Beetle and other models. By around 2010, Audi, BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan and Toyota will offer diesels, in addition to more models from Chrysler.
GM announced just last week via GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutzâs Fastlane blog that the automaker would put diesel engines in passenger vehicles by 2010.
Automotive News reports the first GM diesels will go in the Saturn Aura and a Cadillac sedan, likely the CTS in 2010. The Aura and CTS use the same gas engines in the U.S.; meantime, the CTS is sold in Europe with a 2.9-liter diesel. Crossovers and light trucks will follow cars for diesels.
GM is developing at least two diesel engines: a 4.5-liter V8 for the Hummer H2 SUV and the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups. The 2.9-liter V6 is being engineered in Europe by VM Motori S.p.A., an Italian engine maker.
An earlier study by Ricardo and UBS predicted the same trend of diesels outpacing hybrids, but with significantly higher numbers than the Siemens VDO study. The report forecasted diesel and hybrid sales will hit 2.7 million a year by 2012, or about 15 percent of the U.S. light vehicle market. Diesel will outstrip gasoline hybrids by 1.5 million versus 1.2 million.
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It’s a good thing that diesel will go in the Saturn Aura, even though it already have efficient Saturn fuel injector ( http://www.satpartswholesale.com/saturn-fuel-injector/ ) to help with the sufficient distribution of fuel, it just doesn’t seem to be enough not before diesel engine would be used.
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