Nissan's Executive Vice President Carlos Tavares has become the latest big-name exec to predict a big future for diesel in the U.S. Nissan will introduce a Renault-made V6 diesel in the Maxima in 2010, and although Tavares admits that he's "just guessing about the volumes," he believes that "when customers understand what a clean diesel means, we will change the image."
Tavares admitted that a U.S. customer's "reference point is far away" in terms of their expectations of diesel performance. "We shouldn't talk about diesel; we should let them drive the car," he said...
"The best way is to demonstrate; the joy of driving must be experienced. The refinement of a modern diesel is not what a U.S. customer thinks it is. Customers do not have to compromise on performance but they get an improvement in fuel economy."
But while he was optimistic about the future of diesel in the U.S., he admitted that, "It's arrogant to say that one technical solution fits all the markets because the infrastructure and the education of consumers are different." In addition to the introduction of diesel and gas-electric hybrid technology, Tavares revealed that Nissan will have an electric car on sale in 2010. "We will initially launch it in one mature market," he said, "but we haven't yet decided which one." -- Alistair Weaver, European Editor, Inside Line
But while he was optimistic about the future of diesel in the U.S., he admitted that, "It's arrogant to say that one technical solution fits all the markets because the infrastructure and the education of consumers are different." In addition to the introduction of diesel and gas-electric hybrid technology, Tavares revealed that Nissan will have an electric car on sale in 2010. "We will initially launch it in one mature market," he said, "but we haven't yet decided which one." -- Alistair Weaver, European Editor, Inside Line
moparbad says:
06:17 AM, 10/25/07
"It's arrogant to say that one technical solution fits all the markets because the infrastructure and the education of consumers are different."
Great quote.
There is not ONE solution, hybrid, diesel, electric, ethanol, propane, hydrogen and others are all valid approaches and without many options the best will not be discovered.
Education of consumers is the largest obstacle for diesel in the US. Larger even than emissions regulations.
drewsrx says:
05:09 PM, 10/25/07
It is going to happen.
Nissan has just trademarked the following for Infiniti:
EX30d, FX30d, G30d, and M30d.
This new dCi 3.0 liter V6 makes 261 horsepower and 406 lb.ft of torque and is 40% more fuel efficient than a gasoline 3.0 liter V6.
ateixeira says:
12:00 PM, 10/26/07
How will it be priced, is the question.
Sure it outperforms a 3l gas engine, but what about the 3.5l VQ? And will is cost more?
I'll look forward to finding out.