First Acura "delayed" its plans for a diesel version of the TSX. Then GM cancelled its light duty-diesel truck engine. Now Nissan is hedging on whether or not it will carry through on its plans for a diesel version of the Maxima sedan.
A Nissan spokesman told AutoObserver there is "no official word yet," regarding Nissan's maintaining the U.S. launch timeline for diesel-engine 2010 Maxima, but would not deny the model is likely to be delayed, if not cancelled outright.
AutoObserver: Except for Europeans, Vehicle Manufacturers Ditch Diesel Plans
emcsquare says:
09:54 AM, 03/17/09
I think it'd be a mistake to cancel diesel plans, especially since Acura has delayed the TSX diesel. The low gas prices are probably temporary and Nissan would be missing an opportunity to have the only American diesel vehicle in the segment.
autoburetor says:
10:50 AM, 03/17/09
The diesel plans are definitely good. Fuel prices will once again rise, undoubtedly, and fuel economy is, even now, high on the consumer's mind. With the appropriate marketing in place, the pieces are there for a great success in the re-introduction of diesels to the American market.
However, the Maxima itself needs to go. It's too similar in size and shape to the Altima to be an effective flagship. Alternatively, perhaps Nissan should consider a downsizing redesign of the Altima to help differentiate between the two models.
billt9 says:
11:30 AM, 03/17/09
That's funny now that diesel fuel today is cheaper than premium gas.
desmolicious says:
01:02 PM, 03/17/09
In my neighbourhood diesel costs the same as regular. Last summer it was $1 more than premium..
altimadude00 says:
04:51 PM, 03/17/09
How many people are honestly going to buy a diesel Maxima when they don't by a petrol Maxima in the first place. And would the fact that it would have a diesel engine be enough to persuade someone into buying it?
My guess would be no, and that was Nissan's conclusion as well.
firstwagon says:
06:20 PM, 03/17/09
I think the diesel would be the only reason to buy a Maxima and would likely be enough to keep the model line going.
It would be a large comfortable performance car with better mileage then a compact like the Fit.
Without the diesel there's little reason to buy the Maxima over the Altima.
edubya says:
06:30 PM, 03/17/09
I'm not the kind of guy that curses, but regularly hearing about all the stuff we're NOT getting in the U.S. might just be enough to change that. It's not so much that I had my heart set on a diesel Maxima, but I do want more diesel options here, and I want manufacturers developing diesel motors for this market.
billt9 says:
08:07 PM, 03/17/09
The Maxima is quite a bit bigger and more comfy than the Altima.
To me the Maxima sure is worth getting over the Altima.
Consumer Reports measured the Max's legroom, which is the same as other large sedans. The Max is only down on width from other large sedans.
Just not $38,000 worth getting.
The new gen Max's price is kinda of ridiculous.