. . . 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 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.

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'98 E300 DT
'87 190D 2.5 turbo RIP
'92 S500 Sold
'03 3.2TL-S A-Spec

Thats about what a dealership would charge for a decently optioned 2009 VW TDI.

And a whole $1,700 more than the Prikus? That wouldn't take too long to recover getting 60mpg vs 45mpg.

Totally agree! The big 3 deserve what's coming to them. How short sighted they've been. Can you believe GM is counting on the Vogue as their salvation? Who wants a car that can only go 100 miles on a charge?

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85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked

I went to Germany. I thought (equivalent to) $2.50 per gallon of gasoline was outrageous - then I learned they imported ALL of their petroleum then.

I then met and befriended a German who I've been in touch with ever since. He had a French made Renault 4, a 2+2 seater which got about 55 mpg. The only reason I never saw one in the States was emissions - no cat. not even a pcv valve, just a vent tube to the air! Fast forward to today, Mercedes actually had to put out the Bluetec to pass US EPA for diesels. Euro standards are easier to meet. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_emission_standards

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1987 300D (230,000 mi on a #14 head-watching the temp gauge and keeping the ghost in the machine)
Raleigh NC - Home of deep fried sushi!

I would try and buy something like that before a hybrid.
US car makers need to bring what they do successfully elsewhere here. they are fools to think they will get differant results with the same path!

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83 300SD Dark Silver Dark brown inside

I saw - on youtube, now gone - Bob Lutz give an interview about small diesel. They are working on emissions that will not be require until 2013 or so. The next two tiers, from now 'till then, are the two biggest reductions in emissions. Ford is also working on a diesel hybrid called 'Reflex' that is a small sports model also. I saw this car at a show and spoke with an engineer. He said we'll see new diesel models here in the next few years.

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1987 300D (230,000 mi on a #14 head-watching the temp gauge and keeping the ghost in the machine)
Raleigh NC - Home of deep fried sushi!

How many plants did Ford just close? How many jobs were cut? I guess one of those plants couldn't be used to make the same engine here, and stick it in the Focus?

If most of the people in this country knew what they were really missing out on in the European car market, there would be outrage.

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1985 300TD-euro 352,000 mi
1974 240D (1?)52,000 mi - has a new home now

It is stupid decisions like this, that are the reason Ford (and the rest of the big 3 ) are strapped for money. If they spent 1/3 the money they did promoting the SUV lifestyle, and put it into a "clean diesel" promotion, those little cars would sell like hotcakes.

I would much rather drive one of those (based solely on looks) than a cutesy battery powered love "toy".

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1993 190E 2.6 135k
1989 Ford Thunderbird SC 5 Spd 79K

But They DONT WANT you to have them--Nothing at all to do with the costs of the vehicle to the end-user....!

If they did, they would be shooting themselves in the foot....

Remember Big Oil Sponsors 'The Big Three'

Not in their interest to release a very efficient and 'conventional' vehicle, so they just do lip-work, sell a few hybrids or EV-1 type efforts to keep up appearances....

Big Oil produces X million gallons per day...They HAVE TO SELL that same X million gallons per day OR MAKE A LOSS....

Very simple economics.....

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http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z...0TDnoplate.jpg

Alastair AKA H.C.II South Wales, U.K. based member

W123, 1985 300TD Wagon, 256K,
-Most recent M.B. purchase, Cost-a-plenty, Gulps BioDiesel extravagantly, and I love it like an old dog.

W114, 1975 280E Custard Yellow,
-Great above decks needs chassis welding--Really will do it this year....

ya, we have been hearing that line, we will see small diesels in the US in the next few years for how long now?
time to step up, and try something. Better than letting the company continue it's slow sink without even an attempt!
Where would we be if the hi-tech companies did this.
Comodore 64 anyone???

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83 300SD Dark Silver Dark brown inside

Government regulations have a lot to do with these
not being available in the U.S., much stricter emissions.

Now, if we could find a way to graymarket these cars
in and get them titled..............

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81 Mercedes 300SD 289k.......SOLD
82 Mercedes 300CD 252k......slow ride

82 mercedes 300 SD...mi Unknown
83 Mercedes 300D ????ksniff..gone too
84 Mercedes 300D 148k........SOLD
85 Mercedes 300TD 386k and holding some one elses project

Federal government just gave ford 80 million dollars to keep their engine plant up here in Canada open a little longer. As see it the big three are just about out of the car business if their posted losses are real. By that I mean they are not also including their stock price decline .

The so called big three are guilty of corporate mis management on a scale perhaps never before seen in north america. The true magnatude of their problems took many years to come to fruitation. It will be a wonder if even one of them survives the next five years.

They seem to simply be outclassed in todays north american markets. How are they going to deal with all the insolvent and otherwise frustrated dealers that I suspect will be starting to bail out soon.

At present their dealers service departments once a large profit centre almost appear deserted locally except for low profit warranty service. People seem to have returned to independant service outlets with a vengence after the warranty expires.

Did they really expect the customer was so stupid not to recognise gouging to support the large overhead costs that dealers were forced to absorb by the big three? I remember only a few years ago the local big three dealers were strong armed into much larger new buildings on prime real estate. They were assured they would make more money.

Things are coming home to roost like never before. If I were a big three dealer I would not trust the respective corporate head quarters to make any sound decisions. I think the big three have proven their respective abilities beyond question at this stage.

As for them really producing a good small efficient diesel for consumers in north america. I very much doubt they will. Or even try. Instead they will just hope something else occurs to make their present lines more viable all by itself.

For one I do not think that approach or stratagy is going to work. I also doubt the respective governments are going to save them as well.

As for the american built battery car. Plus good hybrid variations .It is already rumored they will be too costly for mass marketing. Of course time will tell exactly how this unfolds.

Ford of North America sucks!

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

All of the American Car Companies Suck, they'll get whats coming to them by selling good stuff in Europe and giving us all huge gas sucking junk......

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)