As reported by Automotive News recently, Ford has no intentions on forcing this technology on US customers. Sad.
Not that anyone should have anything stuffed down their throat but diesel is one of the most viable alternatives of the moment. Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president for global product development, made it very clear that Ford will continue to rely on their EcoBoost and hybrid technologies. Both very good. They will relegate the idea of importing diesel powertrains, although, as he said, it would be easy to do so. Then why say-so?
He went on to enumerate reasons as to why diesel and America don't mix. He said that diesel engines cost more than gasoline ones. True, however if demand increases, I'm willing to bet that prices will drop considerably. Think VCRs, PVRs and big screen TVs.
Next, he sites that Americans are apprehensive to diesel. One word: Education. Here's a link to BMW's Advance Diesel Changes video. Everyone fears things they know nothing about or do not understand. Perhaps if Americans were aware that today's modern diesel engines not only consume less fuel but potentially have lower emissions than a conventional internal combustion engine, they might change their minds. That and the fact that Americans love torque and diesel equals torque.
Also, he notes that the return on the invested sum to purchase the diesel engine will take many years to make up. Jump up two paragraphs.
The only valid point is that diesel is more expensive than regular gasoline. Sure. But if your diesel-powered automobile consumes 25% less black gold than the equivalent gas-powered car and that diesel is 10% more expensive, it's still a win. So the point is NOT valid.
I find this entire situation disconcertingly narrow-minded. As stated by DailyTech, two of these points could have easily applied to hybrids (extra cost and payback) but Kuzak never makes the link. EcoBoost powertrains are more expensive than non EcoBoost as well...
I'm beginning to think that there is more money to be made with hybrids than diesel. It always comes down to the all-mighty buck. Perhaps the initial cost would surpass the potential for profit at first for Ford but if Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Volkswagen can make it work, why wouldn't it for Ford. Or any other manufacturer for that matter?
Me thinks that it's a waiting game as well as a financial one. GM has hinted that they might be seriously considering the idea of perhaps maybe making, in time, a diesel engine option available on a product in the future (the Cruze) if the planets align and monkeys fly out of Mike Myers butt. We shall see.
But I digress.
I think diesel is an important player along side highly efficient smaller displacement engines and hybrids. Bring'em and stop skirting around the issue and looking for excuses!
Not that anyone should have anything stuffed down their throat but diesel is one of the most viable alternatives of the moment. Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president for global product development, made it very clear that Ford will continue to rely on their EcoBoost and hybrid technologies. Both very good. They will relegate the idea of importing diesel powertrains, although, as he said, it would be easy to do so. Then why say-so?
He went on to enumerate reasons as to why diesel and America don't mix. He said that diesel engines cost more than gasoline ones. True, however if demand increases, I'm willing to bet that prices will drop considerably. Think VCRs, PVRs and big screen TVs.
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| Derrick Kuzak (Photo: Ford) |
Next, he sites that Americans are apprehensive to diesel. One word: Education. Here's a link to BMW's Advance Diesel Changes video. Everyone fears things they know nothing about or do not understand. Perhaps if Americans were aware that today's modern diesel engines not only consume less fuel but potentially have lower emissions than a conventional internal combustion engine, they might change their minds. That and the fact that Americans love torque and diesel equals torque.
Also, he notes that the return on the invested sum to purchase the diesel engine will take many years to make up. Jump up two paragraphs.
The only valid point is that diesel is more expensive than regular gasoline. Sure. But if your diesel-powered automobile consumes 25% less black gold than the equivalent gas-powered car and that diesel is 10% more expensive, it's still a win. So the point is NOT valid.
I find this entire situation disconcertingly narrow-minded. As stated by DailyTech, two of these points could have easily applied to hybrids (extra cost and payback) but Kuzak never makes the link. EcoBoost powertrains are more expensive than non EcoBoost as well...
I'm beginning to think that there is more money to be made with hybrids than diesel. It always comes down to the all-mighty buck. Perhaps the initial cost would surpass the potential for profit at first for Ford but if Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Volkswagen can make it work, why wouldn't it for Ford. Or any other manufacturer for that matter?
Me thinks that it's a waiting game as well as a financial one. GM has hinted that they might be seriously considering the idea of perhaps maybe making, in time, a diesel engine option available on a product in the future (the Cruze) if the planets align and monkeys fly out of Mike Myers butt. We shall see.
But I digress.
I think diesel is an important player along side highly efficient smaller displacement engines and hybrids. Bring'em and stop skirting around the issue and looking for excuses!