DIESEL MARKET SHARE EXPECTED TO REACH 15% BY 2015
SEMA eNews, Vol. 11, No. 21 - May 22, 2008

Thanks to clean diesel technology and the need to improve fuel mileage, diesels are being seen in a different light. SEMA’s 2004/2005 Diesel Market Study predicted that due to the need for greater fuel mileage, diesel market share would increase to 15% by 2014. Bosch, a major supplier within the diesel automotive industry, estimates that the North American market for light-diesel vehicles will reach 15% of new-vehicle sales by 2015.

When consumers understand the advantages of today's clean diesel power, it turns conventional thinking about diesel on its head, says Gale Banks, CEO of Gale Banks Engineering. Banks is also a major player in the fight against diesels that don't burn all of their fuel in the combustion process. When a truck doesn't burn all the fuel, the result is a large amount of black smoke that comes from the tailpipe. This is usually a result of trying to increase power output without proper research and development. Consumers who do this reaffirm the idea that diesels are not a clean alternative to gasoline fuel.

"With clean diesel power, drivers can have approximately 30% better fuel economy and 50% more torque, as well as reduce emissions by up to 25%, when compared to gasoline-powered passenger car engines," Banks explains. "With clean diesel, no longer are fuel economy and performance mutually exclusive."

SEMA continues in its quest to assist manufacturers of diesel performance parts in seeking regulatory compliance for these type of products, as it does for those producing emissions-related components for gasoline-fueled vehicles.

For more original SEMA market research, visit www.sema.org/research.  

Maybe. But I wonder how long it's going to take Americans to realize how great the newer diesels are. First of all, other than trucks, there are hardly any diesel passenger-cars or light SUVs on the market. There will supposedly be a few more in the next few years, but even for those of us who'd like to buy one, we don't have many choices right now.

It seems Americans by and large are still drinking the hybrid Kool-Aid, even when diesels often achieve better real-world fuel economy. It will be a slow educational process, but I think once enough people buy them, take their neighbors for a ride in them, and brag about what fuel economy they get, the conversion rate could be pretty quick.  

Looks like Volkswagen will lead the way for passenger cars. Anyway I believe that if Ford or Dodge picks up on the diesel passenger cars, then Americans should be more open to using them on a regular basis. It would be even more attractive if everyone saw that diesel prices are lower than regular gas prices as well, but doesn't look like that's happening.  

really? i was praying for a euro-like stat: 50-70% of all passengers cars will be sporting diesel engines. and a few will be blending their own home-made biodiesels. that will have a significant impact in fuel demand from the States, and that we will be keeping more of the money here than wire-transferring them to rogue states and communist-controlled oil companies. go americans! be the agent of change that will improve the world!!!!!