We’ve heard a lot from our oe department that diesels are coming to the US.
Here’s an excerpt on VW:
In spring 2008 Volkswagen will launch one of the world's cleanest diesel engines – the CleanTDI – in the USA. The new Common Rail engine is capable of 103 kW / 140 hp and will celebrate its premiere in the Jetta, America's most successful diesel vehicle. The new Golf will also be launched as CleanTDI on the American market in 2000. Background: California and the four states of Massachusetts, New York, Vermont and Maine have the strictest emissions values in the USA. The new Jetta CleanTDI and the Golf Variant CleanTDI will be able to fulfill these values as two of the first diesel vehicles.
To be able to meet these strict US standards, Volkswagen has also developed two emissions purification systems especially for the USA. The so-called NOx storage catalytic converter is in the Jetta and Golf Variant CleanTDI. A key element here is a considerable reduction in nitrogen oxides which Volkswagen achieves with measures inside the engine and new converter technologies. Result: up to 90 per cent less nitrogen oxides (NOx).
For the larger and heavier model series, there is the so-called SCR catalytic converter (SCR = Selective Catalytic Reduction). This will also make its debut, still in 2008, in the Touareg. A liquid called AdBlue which is in an additional tank plays a key role here. This is continually injected via a dosing valve in front of the SCR catalytic converter into the exhaust tract. NOx values decrease significantly also here – by up to 90%.
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/09/08/volkswagen-launching-diesel-offensive/
Here is an excerpt on Honda:
Honda to Introduce Diesel Passenger Vehicles in Japan by 2009
12 June 2007
The Nikkei reports that Honda Motor will introduce its advanced diesel engine in passenger vehicles in Japan by 2009, marking a first for a Japanese automaker.
Honda has developed an advanced emissions aftertreatment system that will allow it to meet stringent US Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions standards without the use of urea-based SCR. (Earlier post.) Honda has decided to release diesel vehicles that use this engine simultaneously in Japan and the US in 2009, and possibly as early as in 200, according to the Nikkei. The clean engine is to be phased into such mainline models as its CR-V and Accord.
To promote the use of clean diesel engines, the Japanese government is considering tax breaks on car purchases similar to those available for hybrids, which reduce the tax from 5% to 3%.
Nissan plans to introduce a Tier 2 Bin 5 diesel Maxima co-developed with French partner Renault in the US in 2010, with plans to introduce it in Japan later.
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007/06/honda_to_introd.html
Look for considerable options in the 2009 and 2010 models.
http://www.dieselforum.org/where-is-diesel/cars-trucks-suvs/other-diesel-vehicles-coming-soon/
Randy