The rumours proved right – General Motors’ Chevrolet has confirmed it will add a diesel variant to the Cruze range in North America in calendar year 2013. Diesel Cruzes are already sold in Europe and some Asia-Pacific markets including Australia.
North American markets currently get a frugal Cruze Eco with standard six-speed manual transmission, claimed to be the most fuel-efficient petrol-powered/non-hybrid vehicle in North America, with a fuel consumption rating of 4.6l/100km on the highway in Canada and 42 miles per US gallon south of the border.
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According to data compiled by just-auto’s local analyst, Bill Cawthon, the Cruze was third most popular light vehicle and top selling car in the US in June with 24,896 sales and, with 122,972 sold in the first half of 2011, ninth most popular light vehicle and seventh top selling passenger car.
Cruze recorded 18,769 sales in Canada during the first six months of 2011, increasing Chevrolet’s total share of the compact car segment there from 6.4% to 10.8%, the automaker said. The success of the Cruze has grown GM Canada’s compact car sales 24% even as the segment size remains flat year on year, it added.
The availability of the diesel version will be “a huge step forward” in the growth of clean diesel automobile availability in the US, according to Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum, whcih bills itself as “a non-profit national organization dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of diesel engines, fuel and technology” with members who are “leaders in clean diesel technology”.
“General Motors has been a global leader in clean diesel engine technology and this announcement is great news for North American consumers. Given the overwhelming success of the Duramax diesel heavy-duty pick-up truck in North America, and diesel engine options in the Opel brands in Europe, we can only predict the diesel Cruze will be a huge hit in the US,” he added.
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By GlobalData“This announcement clearly signifies the increasing importance of clean diesel technology as a key and viable strategy for meeting fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions goals.
“There are currently 22 diesel cars and light trucks available in the U.S. and in addition to the Cruze, more are on their way. Volkswagen is beginning to produce the new model Passat TDI diesel cars in their new Chattanooga, TN plant, and Mazda has announced that it will become the first Asian car maker to introduce a new clean diesel [technology] in North America known as Skyactiv-D. There are also a number of reports that Nissan and other car makers may be planning to unveil new diesels in the US.”
In Europe, almost 50 percent of new car sales are diesel models but, in the US, diesels account for slightly more than 3% of all cars and light trucks.
The forum said several auto analysts have predicted diesel light vehicle sales will increase to between seven to 15% of the total market by 2015.
“With diesel fuel now widely available at more than half of all service stations, consumers will have no problems fueling up,” it added.
“I’m confident clean diesel sales will continue to increase as US drivers become more aware that new diesels are not only 20 to 40% more efficient that their gasoline counterparts, they are fun to drive and also have proven to have a low total cost of ownership ” Schaeffer said.
“The increased efficiency of diesels is becoming more important to Americans as the price of fuel has skyrocketed this past year.”
