VW diesel dry spell looms

The very last 2006 Volkswagen Jetta diesels are on the way to U.S. dealers, and once they're gone don't expect to see any more for over a year. That's because VW won't have a new Jetta to comply with strict emissions standards introduced for 2007 until spring 2008. The "clean" diesel will be optional on the 2008 Jetta and Rabbit.

In anticipation of the diesel drought, VW built extra Jetta diesels this fall, hoping supply would last through next summer. Unfortunately, they're expected to sell off much quicker, according to Automotive News. "They will get sucked up," said Bob Grace, owner of Southpoint Volkswagen in Baton Rouge, La. He said he and other dealers are disappointed about entering the summer without and diesels. "It's huge to us," he said. "We are seeing a lot of new customers."

About 30 percent of all Jettas sold in America are diesels, representing nearly 30,000 units in the month of November. The only automaker with a non-truck diesel offering for 2007 is Mercedes-Benz, with the new E320. Leftlane first reported Volkswagen would be forced to halt diesel production for 2007 just over a year ago.