Diesel-powered vehicles have long had a negative stereotype here in the United States, but the latest crop of European clean diesels – along with lower diesel prices – is starting to sway American buyers. Diesel sales have increased significantly so far this year, with more sales success expected.
Volkswagen ’s Jetta TDI is leading the way with some impressive sales figures. Jetta TDI sales totaled 3,862 units last month, up from 2,253 sales in April. Moreover, about 36 percent of all Jetta sales are of the TDI clean diesel variety.
“We would expect equal or higher sales of diesels this month,” a VW spokesman told Autoweek.
The Jetta TDI SportWagen is seeing an even higher take rate, with about 50 percent of all buyers opting for the diesel option.
Mercedes-Benz is seeing similar success with its clean diesel SUV offerings. Through the first five months of the year, the diesel-powered ML has notched 8,242 sales, or about 16.5 percent of all ML sales. The diesel take rate on the larger GL SUV is even higher, with nearly 22 percent of buyers going for the diesel option.
While greater acceptance of clean diesel technology is likely a key factor in the sales increase, lower diesel prices is no doubt also a part of the mix. Last year when gas topped $4 a gallon, diesel fuel checked in with a wallet-busting price of $4.85 per gallon. However, diesel prices now average $2.60 per gallon, 7 cents less than regular gas. With diesel prices not expected to surpass gas prices for several more months, clean diesels might finally be able to get a foothold in the U.S. market.
