Massive increase in US diesel light duty vehicles expected in 2013-14

In Germany, German automakers have launched a US promotion campaign for  clean diesel vehicles in the U.S. was welcomed today with the hope that it can accelerate current market successes for domestic clean diesel vehicle sales, according to Allen Schaeffer, the Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum. The new promotional diesel campaign was announced today in Berlin by the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) and member companies – Audi, BMW, Bosch, Daimler, Porsche and Volkswagen.  Diesel sales increased 24.5 percent through November 2012 compared to 2011, according to Hybrid Cars.com and Baum and Associates.

Schaeffer said a number of additional diesels will be available soon in the U.S. including Audi A6, A7, A8 and Q5 TDI diesels will be available in 2013 joining the Q7 and A3 TDI to bring Audi’s diesel offerings to a total of six.  A TDI clean diesel A4 version is also expected in 2014 or early as 2013; BMW announced that the U.S. market will see a 2.0-liter four cylinder diesel and 3.0-liter inline six diesel engine in the next 12 months; Chrysler will introduce its new Jeep Grand Cherokee Ecodiesel in 2014, along with a new version of the discontinued Dakota pickup that will include a diesel; Ford will offer a new diesel Transit full-size commercial van in 2013; General Motors will offer a Cadillac ATS diesel and a diesel version of the Chevrolet Cruze in 2013; Mazda will become the only Asian car manufacturer to sell diesel cars in the U.S. when it introduces its SKYACTIV-D 2.2-liter clean diesel engine; The Mercedes S350 BlueTEC marks the return of the diesel-powered Mercedes-Benz S-Class to the United States in 2012. Mercedes also plans to bring a diesel in the GLK and C-class for a total of eight diesel models by 2014.