Los Angeles (November 12, 2008) – A new generation of clean diesel vehicles hitting the U.S. market is providing American motorists with another way to reduce their fuel consumption and carbon footprint without compromising transportation choices.  At this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show, which takes place November 21-30, a variety of new environmentally-friendly clean diesel cars will be introduced that use new low emission technologies. 

“This new generation of diesel engines is powerful, fuel-efficient and as clean as their gas-powered counterparts,” said Allen Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum.  “Clean diesel technology offers up to 40 percent fuel economy savings while, at the same time reduces greenhouse gas emissions by about 20 percent compared to gasoline.”

After years of research and development, 50-state emissions compliant clean diesel vehicles are finally available for consumers in the United States, allowing drivers to reduce their petroleum consumption and CO2 output.  In addition to new models that have recently gone on sale, including the Volkswagen Jetta TDI series and the Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC line, consumers will have a variety of options in 2009 as new clean diesel vehicles are introduced by many top European automakers. 

“In addition to the new clean diesels being clean, quiet and fun to drive, they also reward owners through availability of a federal tax credit for their purchase, ranging from $1,300 for the Volkswagen Jetta TDI to $1,800 for the Mercedes BlueTEC GL,” said Schaeffer.

Two clean diesel cars – the Volkswagen TDI and the BMW 335d – have been nominated by Green Car Journal  for the “Top 5 for 2009™,” a round-up of the year’s best “green” vehicles.

New clean diesel offerings in the 2009 model year include:
•    The Volkswagen 2009 Jetta TDI, offered in Sedan and SportWagen models, launched this fall with a Guinness World Record-breaking, cross-country drive that resulted in an average of 58.82 miles per gallon.
•    Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC vehicles, available in the ML320, GL320 and R320 SUVs, offer fuel economy improvements of more than 20 percent compared to gasoline versions, while retaining the ability to haul up to seven passengers and tow 7,500 pounds. 
•    BMW is introducing the 335d and the X5 xDrive35d BluePerformance clean diesel vehicles that promise performance along with exceptional fuel economy.
•    The Audi Mileage Marathon demonstrating the fuel economy potential of a whole line of vehicles, ranging from a subcompact to a full-size SUV, as a preview of the Audi Q7 TDI SUV that will be introduced in the U.S. next year.

Chrysler, Ford, GM, Honda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, and Subaru have indicated they intend to introduce clean diesel engines in their light-duty cars and trucks while companies that have already brought diesels to market expect to expand their offerings. 

Since 2000, U.S. registration of diesel vehicles has climbed 80 percent and market researcher J.D. Power and Associates predicts the market will triple over the next five years as more types of diesel vehicles become available from European, Asian and U.S. auto manufacturers.  In Europe, where light-duty diesel vehicles have a longer history of being on the road, half of the new cars sold are diesel-powered because the technology is efficient, clean, reliable and durable.


ABOUT THE DIESEL TECHNOLOGY FORUM
The Diesel Technology Forum is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the economic importance and environmental progress of diesel engines and equipment. Forum members represent the three parts of the modern clean-diesel system: advanced engines, cleaner diesel fuel and effective emissions-control systems.

For more information, visit www.dieselforum.org.