Ford to release 65 MPG Diesel in November. . . - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Ara T. · #16 09-07-2008, 04:24 AM

Wow. Great looking little car. But yeah 25K for a little car like that is way too much. You can get a Yaris hatchback for what, 13K.

I believe they are bringing the Fiesta to the states though, with different motors.

Hatterasguy · #17 09-07-2008, 11:40 AM

I'm just waiting for a C220CDI. Mercedes Enthusiast just tested one, should return about 40mpg, and its pretty fast.

Throw in a Brabus cheap and its even faster, with no loss in mileage if you keep your foot out of it.

With the new diesel Mercedes you can have your cake and eat it to!

TheDon · #18 09-07-2008, 12:09 PM

when the honda diesel hits the shores, Ford will be kicking itself in the azz.

I'm already in line for the Honda diesel. I called up the local dealership and was like, I dont care if you dont have them yet or wont have them for a year, but put me on the list please.

Bio300TDTdriver · #19 09-07-2008, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDon

when the honda diesel hits the shores, Ford will be kicking itself in the azz.

I'm already in line for the Honda diesel. I called up the local dealership and was like, I dont care if you dont have them yet or wont have them for a year, but put me on the list please.

I'm going to be doing some work for the sales manager at the local Honda dealer. I told him I wanted to buy the first Accord diesel. He said it would be here in about a year. He said I was the first person on his list. Of course he is a car sales person.

aklim · #20 09-07-2008, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shingleback

What a bunch of idiots; they claim they can't afford to sell it in the US...I think they can't afford not to. I guess they don't want to change their image as a privider of inefficient cars and trucks.

Also this comment: "Americans see hybrids as the darling," says Global Insight auto analyst Philip Gott, "and diesel as old-tech." What a bunch of baloney...that is because the automotive industry in NA promotes that idea.

The question, of course, is whether the U.S. ever will embrace diesel fuel and allow automakers to achieve sufficient scale to make money on such vehicles.

IOW, by the time I get it certified and build a plant here or ship it from there, etc, etc, will I be able to sell enough to recoup my costs for the vehicle and the support? If not, why am I doing it? So, are you willing to guarantee that they won't take a bath on it? The US is not the best place in the world to sell a diesel.

ImBroke · #21 09-07-2008, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

The US is not the best place in the world to sell a diesel.

True, there are still a lot of people who remember their failed attempts. Not everyone thinks like we do, nor embraces diesel like us. Shame though.

Palangi · #22 09-07-2008, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bio300TDTdriver

I'm going to be doing some work for the sales manager at the local Honda dealer. I told him I wanted to buy the first Accord diesel. He said it would be here in about a year. He said I was the first person on his list. Of course he is a car sales person.

I was first in line for the VW diesel Rabbit when it came out in 1977. That experience taught me a big lesson.

Nowadays, I am content to let someone else be the guinea-pig for new models.

argus445 · #23 09-07-2008, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by otto huber

. . . but not in the U.S.

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_37/b4099060491065.htm?chan=autos_autos+--+lifestyle+subindex+page_top+stories

Otto
'79 240D 4 spd

What's puzzling is why toyota prius in japan and europe are all electric for first 40 miles and not in u.s.a ??? I hear that american users wouldnt find all electric mode acceptable performance wise who knows but i find alot of stuff they are doing crazy! I'd so buy a new jetta if u could actually go and just buy one not just drool over it. Course if i had 50 some odd thousand i'd get one mb's but alas i dont see that much in a car not with the nutty people on the u.s. highways.

Bio300TDTdriver · #24 09-07-2008, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palangi

I was fiest in line for the VW diesel rabbit when it came out in 1977. That experience taught me a big lesson.

Nowadays, I am content to let someone else be the guinea-pig for new models.

I agree, but the engine is not new. It has been used in Europe for at least 2 years. The Accord is pretty reliable as well.

probear · #25 09-09-2008, 12:31 AM

First, Americans still luv the performance of vehicles. Otherwise, there would be a lot more people driving vehicles like ours. My SDL is not quick off the line, but will cruise quite well at high Interstate speeds, and comfortably, still getting over 25MPG. Bear in mind, this car is over 20 years old.

30 years ago, I wondered why Detroit had not embraced the turbocharger. Took them a while, but they finally did. Now, I fail to understand why they do not embrace the diesel, especially with SUVs and light pickups.

You watch, the first manufacturer that comes out with a good diesel for SUV/pickups will get a good jump on the profit market.

otto huber · #26 09-09-2008, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by probear

You watch, the first manufacturer that comes out with a good diesel for SUV/pickups will get a good jump on the profit market.

Chrysler tried it with the Jeep Liberty a couple of years ago. I don't think it did too well. MPG on that vehicle wasn't very impressive.

Otto
'79 240D 4 spd

#27 09-09-2008, 02:00 AM

The Liberty's success is the reason Jeep sells the Grand Cherokee with MB's V6 diesel.

75Sv1 · #28 09-09-2008, 08:17 AM

Actually, Chrysler, Ford, GM and I hear Toyota are coming out with a diesel in the 1500 class Pickups and probably larger SUVs. I think some of the offerings should be out mid to late 09 and other by '10.
Some of the article rings true. You have to sell so many of any engine to recoupe your cost. The smaller the engine, the less profit per engine. So you have to sell more. It was mentioned Ford felt they needed to sell 350K per year. Thats a lot of engines. If the engine would fit other platforms, then it might be doable. I don't know if it would be big enough for other cars and smaller SUV and trucks.
Tom

94mgm · #29 09-09-2008, 08:44 AM

Ford has been making diesel fiesta's since the mid eighties. Back then it was a NA 1.8 4-pot. The reason foreign manufacturers don't bring their diesel cars to the US is that low rev'ing fuel sipping highway cars aren't suitable for american needs.

...oh wait...

75Sv1 · #30 09-09-2008, 09:09 AM

Until recently, the US didn't have ULSD that the Euro engines needed. Also, there is a difference inemmision standards. Also, how much is the diesel car going to cost more than the regular one. Basically, the Festiva would be competing against the Yaris, Honda Civic, Chevy Aveo and even to an extent the Ford Focus and others in that class. Or even the Toyota Collora. So basically we have from $12K to $16K or maybe more for the Honda vs $25K. So almost $10K difference. That's $10K to carry interest on for say 5 years. So basically $500 per year of extra interest then $2000 more per year. So $2500 more per year. So at $4.00/gal thats 625 gallons. Lets say 30 mpg, so 18,750 miles per year. Basically, I've paid for my gas. These are rough numbers though. Depending on mainly city or mainly highway, the 30 mpg is a between number.
Also, diesel cost roughly $0.75 per gallon more. I hear its more due to the lack of refinery capacity in the US for diesel. This may be changing in the coming years. Basiclly to make sense this car would have to sell for under $20K. Look at the Jeep Patriot, I think it sold for $2K-$3K more. I wasn't trilled with the mpg numbers for its size etc.
Now the counter argument would be how long you will keep your car. 5 years, 10 years, 15 years. And at that point is there something better.
Tom