BMW and Honda Slated to Bring Diesel to North American Markets by 2007

It only makes sense that Honda would adapt its hybrid-electric technology to diesel engines in order to optimize fuel economy

Chrysler Group will most likely follow its Jeep Liberty Diesel up with more diesel-powered variants. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

and reduce emissions, not to mention get a lead on its competition. Of course, Toyota has already announced it will be doing the same, but has yet to make mention of which vehicles will be affected and which markets can expect to see such products (see automotive news for Aug 16, 2004: Toyota Considering Making Diesel-Electric Hybrid Vehicles).

As far as North American producers go, Chrysler Group will most likely follow its Jeep Liberty Diesel up with more diesel-powered variants. Of course, its Ram heavy duty pickup truck lineup offers diesel power, a sophisticated direct injection, common-rail Cummins turbodiesel, no less, but the two vehicles are the only diesel powered models in the domestic automaker's lineup. With Dodge targeting Europe, joining Chrysler and Jeep that are already sold there and also already offer diesel-powered versions of cars sold here in North America, such as the Chrysler Town & Country, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and new Chrysler 300 and 300 Touring, the latter a wagon variant of the popular

Cars such as the Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, plus the Pontiac G6 share architectures with GM's European Opel/Vauxhall divisions, and therefore could feature diesel power with little modification. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

full-size sedan, it's only a matter of time before its lineup is bolstered with more diesel engines in North America.

GM will be able to offer diesel powerplants through its European Opel/Vauxhall divisions, and Saturn seems like the most likely initial nameplate being that many of its new models look to be sharing general chassis and powertrain architectures in order to cut costs and improve quality. Cars such as the Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, plus the Pontiac G6 also share architectures with GM's European division, and therefore could feature diesel power with little modification. Of course, GM offers diesel engines within its truck division, again only with heavy duty Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra models.