Ford British Diesel

I read several months ago that Ford was marketing one of their smaller vehicles with a British made fourth generation diesel engine that was getting 65 MPG. They sell the same vehicle over here (I don't remember which one)but elected not to sell the engine in the U.S. as they thought there was no market for diesels in passenger cars. I don't understand their thinking. If they sell the same vehicle here, why not a diesel. Labor costs were high in England, but it could be produced in Mexico, or somewhere else to lower the production costs. Any thoughts?

I don't think the public in America has any trust in diesels in cars. After the great GM disaster. GM scared away a lot of people over it.

Diesel passenger vehicles are real common here.
Diesel is cheaper than gasoline also.

Dave

Americans all want to go 0-60 in 4 seconds, and that is more important than economy! Hard to get 65mpg and great acceleration out of the same vehicle.

I think it is in the Focus. Meeting EPA emission regs knocks down the efficiency a lot. At least it has in the VW diesels which went from 50mpg to 42mpg.

European diesels to be sold in US have to met EPA pollution standards- they are about the same as in Europe- but up until 2 years or so ago the US diesel fuel had too much sulfur in it- 500p/m- to meet the standards. New ultra low sulfur standards- 15p/m- now available here and most of the European diesels can meet basic US-though not perhaps California and North East US- standards. Market acceptance then becomes deciding point- will customers pay the extra cost for a slower vehicle that uses fuel not available at every station? VW TDI does fairly good on performance- but cost in these times gets a little extra look by the buyers. Pickups with diesels doing fairly good- but the pickup owners are often commercila drivers or knowledgable about diesel meeting their needs and acept maintenance requirments. Old problems still deter some people- the GM gas converted to diesel 350 engine is a short life stinker is a public embarrassment, slows sales. The Old VW and Escort diesel winter start difficulties also public detraction. Some potential purchasers ask salesmen about service and get wrong info- sometimes the service writers will tell them they have no certified diesel mechanic to do warantee after salesman tells them the mechanics can fix anything. the higher cost of diesel fuel now is another turn off compared to 10 years or so back when diesel was 20 cents a gallon or more cheaper than regular gas. Lots of little reasons to buy a new gas instead of diesel small car. RN

I rented an Alfa Romero diesel in France several years ago and it was both quiet and fast.

BMW makes a 3.0 diesel that out performs the 3.0 gas. Not like those late 60"s early 70"s Mercedes Benz diesels.

I weould think the time is ripe for Ford to import the 65 MPG diesel.

European fuel mileage is measured differently then EPA figures in the USA. UK "cycles" are used along with larger Imperial gallons instead of US gallons. The new Ford diesel Fiesta gets around 43 MPG in US gallons with EPA type testing.

So, how many consumers in the USA that whine about low power rigs - are going to run out and buy an 88 horse Fiesta that gets 43 MPG? I suspect not many. How many diesel Escorts and turbo-diesel Rangers sold when they were available and diesel was much cheaper then gas? Not many.

EPA regs is a big problem anyway. Ford has sold many small diesels in the USA before, just as GM, Chrysler, Volkswagen and Jeep did. What happened? Sales stunk and small diesels only sold when there were gas shortages. And if they didn't sell when diesel was a lot cheaper then gas, why do you think they'd sell like hot-cakes now?

I suppose Ford has a pretty good idea what they're doing. They ARE only USA car company left that is self-owned and not running on taxpayer money.

If you really want a small diesel Ford, buy an older Escort, or even a turbo-diesel Ranger an and fix it up. Not many people bought them when they were offered new.

My diesel 1981 Chevette gets a best of 48 MPG and my 92 Volkswagen a best of 50 MPG. Average is more around 38 MPG on either.

Don't know EXACTLY what models of Diesels you were talking about, but I LOVE my 2005 diesel jeep liberty. I get 30 mpg on the highway and average 24. about twice that of a gas liberty. I understand that they were wildly popular. too bad they didn't meet 2007 emissions. Jeep is now selling a diesel grand Cherokee. want good milage in a luxury suv, check it out.

Name: Chris in SK (Reserved Name)
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Subject: Re: Ford British Diesel
In Reply to: Ford British Diesel posted by CLTX on February 24, 2010 at 11:11:11:
Body of Message:

I don’t know why these diesel powered vehicles aren’t available here….I would buy if they were. When I lived in the UK, I only ran diesel vehicles, the last few being a 99 1.7 TDI Focus, and several 90’s SUV’s and trucks including L R Discovery, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee, all 2.5 TDI’s and they were all good vehicles. The Focus averaged 50 mpg and the SUV’s all around 30 mpg (25 – 35 depending on use). These are imperial gallons so would be slightly less with US gal. These are accurate since we only used a computerized bulk diesel tank/pump that recorded mileage on every fill up,and could pull up long term data. With high fuel prices, these diesel vehicles held their used value better than the gas equivalents, and performed equally as well in my opinion.
Chris