The U.S-based Diesel Technology Forum says the introduction of a new diesel Ford F-150 pickup and GMC Terrain SUV shows the fuel is still a viable future option for consumers.
Ford used the North American International Auto Show as its platform to introduce an optional new 3-litre diesel engine for the model year 2018 F-150.
At the same time, General Motors revealed a new 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine option for its all-new 2018 GMC Terrain SUV.
“The announcements show that diesel remains an important option for meeting the future vehicle needs of U.S. drivers,” says Diesel Technology Forum USA executive director Allen Schaeffer.
“With light-duty pickup trucks and SUVs accounting for more than 63% of sales in 2016, the addition of new clean diesel options in these dominant sectors will go a long way toward boosting the diesel market share in the U.S,” he says.
“The Ford F-Series has been the best-selling pickup truck for 40 consecutive years. Having a new diesel version of the most popular vehicle in America is a significant step forward for diesel’s long-term future in the U.S., and will offer customers another fuel-efficient choice.
Schaeffer predicts the diesel engine options in the Ford F-150 and GMC Terrain will be embraced by consumers, along with the Mazda CX-5 and its SKYACTIV-D diesel option coming in 2017, as well as a new diesel engine option for the Chevrolet Equinox.
While the ‘dieselgate’ scandal and loss of 13 vehicle choices resulted in a major decline in U.S. sales in late 2015 and early 2016, there were still 115,337 diesel cars sold in the U.S. last year, excluding heavy-duty diesel pickup truck sales which account for 10% of the market,” says Schaeffer.
“In 2016 diesel vehicle sales regained about 20% of the market share formerly held by VW,” he says.
