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.
06/23, 11:44 AM
posted by:
Dante_JoseCuervo
This is good, this is very good. Now let’s see what else they bring over. I wonder how the 335d is doing.
06/23, 11:59 AM
posted by:
A4
TDI FTW!!!
06/23, 12:00 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
You guys are becoming more like Canadians every day. Now can you get to work on that Michelob “Strong”.
06/23, 12:06 PM
posted by:
justagigilo85
I’m betting that it has to do with the name “Clean Diesel.” Without a doubt, if it were just name “diesel”, it would not sell as well. People are kind of stupid like that.
Johnnycanuck- Let’s hope hockey gets a little more mainstream here like it is in canada. I seeing hockey pushed after pre-season baseball in April.
06/23, 12:06 PM
posted by:
justagigilo85
hate seeing**
06/23, 12:09 PM
posted by:
Madcapp
Lets have that Bluesport roadster, while we’re on the topic of diesel.
06/23, 12:12 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
I don’t care what they call diesels, a diesel is a diesel…. which is FNCKING SWEET! For a car company to take away sales from a hybrid car, when their car isn’t even a hybrid, is just awesome! They drive better too! Go AUDI and VW TDI!!
whatch this,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ya4MEUFydDU
06/23, 12:12 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
oops….should be watch
06/23, 12:32 PM
posted by:
123sub
A tragedy:-(
06/23, 12:33 PM
posted by:
ricky_b
I ‘ll have mine as a Audi/VW V6 TDI in a wagon.
06/23, 1:10 PM
posted by:
05Z88Path
about time…what are we 10 years behind Europe on this one?
Better mpg then a hybrid, better performance then a hybrid…move over Prius owners!
Now if we could get the cost of diesel fuel down in the US, we’d be set.
06/23, 1:11 PM
posted by:
05Z88Path
well *keep* the cost of diesel down anyway…
06/23, 1:22 PM
posted by:
HoosierHero
This won’t be a trend. It’s the same people buying those Jettas/MBs as before. People will be buying hybrids until the next great thing comes out.
06/23, 1:35 PM
posted by:
rpiotr01
05Z88Path,
Diesel is currently cheaper than regular gas, at least in NJ. It fluctuates but so far so good.
Really like hearing this. The Jetta TDI wagon is a good start, but I’d like to see something with some more ground clearance and AWD in the same price range.
06/23, 1:39 PM
posted by:
A4
sounds like you need a Tiguan TDI
06/23, 2:16 PM
posted by:
Lansing
News like this is good, especially if it helps nudge Subaru into expediting the process of Bringing their relatively new Boxer Diesel to North America. A boxer diesel coupled with great AWD, Should be fun!!
I’d take a Diesel 6MT Forester X Premium as soon as they were made available!
06/23, 2:25 PM
posted by:
leftwingagenda
the trick with diesel is the emissions/air quality standard…mileage may be better for diesels, but they throw more pollutants into the air…the US has had tighter air quality standards than europe for a while, so diesels have flourished over there, while they haven’t been as popular here…that’s where the term “clean” comes into play, imo…
so it’s not that we’re 10 years behind europe, but we have different laws here that worked against diesels…
06/23, 3:43 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
Yeah, the 5-cylinder Jetta drives like a diesel anyway, so I’d buy a TDI in a heartbeat over the regular Jetta, or just get a GLI.
06/23, 3:47 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
justagigilo85 – With the Penguins win, popularity will increase next season. Crosby and Oveckin are bring the sport back!!!
06/23, 3:49 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
It also used to be around St. Louie you couldn’t get diesel in most gas stations, besides the Truck stops, and now Diesel is in almost all stations next to Petrol. That really helps me accept it.
06/23, 4:33 PM
posted by:
klossfam
I’ve driven both a 6 spd MT and the DSG version of the Jetta TDI and all the postive press is well earned…A great value as well…The VW commercial with Max, his Jetta TDI and the neighbor with the hybrid is AWESOME!
06/23, 8:17 PM
posted by:
gogogodzilla
They need to bring the VW Golf GTD to the states. It’s the diesel version of the GTI.
06/23, 8:55 PM
posted by:
Bimmer
Why no mention of X5 3.5d (hate that new stupid xDrive and sDrive BS) and 335d in the article? I wonder how many taker are for BMW diesels? So far, I’ve seen only one X5 3.5d in Toronto area, but plenty of G-Class and some ML-Class (wonder why Merc calls it M-Class?) Mercs. Also lot’s of Jettas TDi. Screw hybrids, go diesel!
06/23, 11:20 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
I laugh at all the people who buy “hybrids” when they could have gotten a much better diesel car that lasts A LOT longer! I bet a jetta tdi could yank the crap out of a prius in a rope pulling contest! Now that’s a real mans car(if you are looking at this category)! Leave the hybrids to the women who barely know to to fill their own gas tank!
06/24, 10:37 AM
posted by:
Tecknik
I love my ‘09 Jetta TDI!
07/03, 1:33 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
Good!
07/21, 11:41 PM
posted by:
gugy
I can’t wait for a Audi Q5 TDI.
Meanwhile, I am considering a Jetta wagon until the Audi comes out. Hopefully in less than 2 years.