Washington, DC  (December 23, 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 the upcoming North American International Auto Show in Detroit (January 13-24, 2009) according to show organizers, two of the six finalists for the Car and Truck of the Year awards are clean diesels, a first ever.   The awards are given by a group of 50 automotive journalists and are designed to recognize the most outstanding vehicles of the year based on factors that include innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar. 

“It’s no surprise that the Volkswagen Jetta TDI and the Mercedes-Benz ML 320 BlueTEC are breaking new ground in earning these prestigious nominations,” said Allen Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum.  “Both these products are the embodiment of what new clean diesel technology is all about:  good, clean, fun. They offer consumers a new choice in real-world, fuel efficient technology, and are eligible for a federal tax credit for their purchase, ranging from $900 for the Mercedes ML 320 BlueTEC to $1,300 for the Volkswagen Jetta TDI,” said Schaeffer.

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 the Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz products, a number of other manufacturers have new 2009 diesel products coming to market including Audi (Q7 TDI) BMW (335d and the X5 xDrive35d BluePerformance).   Chrysler, Ford, GM, Honda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, and Subaru have indicated they intend to introduce clean diesel engines in their light-duty cars and trucks.  

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.