Filed under: Trends, Hybrids/Alternative, Green
VW to drop several diesel models next year
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Due to upcoming changes in diesel emissions standards, Volkwagen will be forced to suspend sales of several of its diesel models for 2007 - an unfortunate turn of events for the German automaker, given the robust demand for its TDI-powered vehicles (which are for all practical purposes the only affordable diesel passenger cars currently available in the US).
Gone for 2007 will be the Golf, Jetta, and Beetle TDI models. Extra supplies of the 2006 Passat diesel will be shipped over to the US in coming months, which VW hopes will provide sufficient supply well into 2007. A Touareg diesel is on its way as well (for the second time). A new emissions-compliant TDI Jetta will return to the market for 2008, but the fate of the other models isn't currently clear.
[Source: Detroit Free Press]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Glenn A. 2:31PM (5/28/2006)
So, all these comments on Autoblog from the pro-diesel crowd have been way off base and the current tech VW diesels have no means of compliance with US emissions specs in even 45 states, as now, for 2007 - even with low sulfur diesel fuel.
I'll stick with my Prius, thanks. At least when I fuel the vehicle, my shoes and hands don't stench of diesel oil.
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goat 2:42PM (5/28/2006)
VW's diesel tech has lagged behind that of other manufacturers. I think they'll be back after they migrate to common rail.
It's too bad that U.S. (and especially California) emissions standards are so absurdly biased against diesels. Because of this, we will waste more fuel and emit more CO2 and CO in the coming years.
BTW, the Prius is a joke. It's wasteful, too, when you consider the entire life cycle of the vehicle.
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spelling freak 2:59PM (5/28/2006)
are they dropping the models all together - or just from the US market? Your article is not clear.
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sp 3:03PM (5/28/2006)
actually, diesel standards are exactly the same as petrol powered cars.... They are not biased in any possible way.
And Prius is not wasteful, it is the most ecological car when considered from the time it is made, usage, to the recycling, as per German ADAC, for German market 2005, 2006.
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spelling freak 3:04PM (5/28/2006)
#2 - what do you base this 'prius is a joke' rubbish on.
A prius' intial energy cost is high (for construction, etc.) but that eventually gets paid off.
A prius consumes less energy over its entire lifecycle.
http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/k_forum/tenji/pdf/pgr_e.pdf
Plus overall MPG is not the only advantage. Please education yourself before making assinine comments.
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Stoneman 3:09PM (5/28/2006)
#4 when you learn the total cost of ownership comparing a Prius to a VW TDI, you'll quickly see how much better a TDI car is. Plus, you can always convert the TDI to accept used vegetable oil, which is free.
So who's the ass now spelling freak?
Boo yeah.
Stoneman
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Stoneman 3:16PM (5/28/2006)
I meant #5. dammit.
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kelly 3:38PM (5/28/2006)
Prius guy: I have a car with a price 1/3 that of your Prius. It gets better mileage on the highway, does not use large high-voltage batteries (which will eventually have to be junked in a landfill), has more cargo space, can go 140mph, runs on petrol, and doesn't scream "I'm an environmental weiner" when I drive it around.
The low emissions coming from your Prius's tailpipe are offset by the smugness coming from its passenger compartment. Please do your part to help our environment, and keep your smugness to yourself.
And learn English. Get a taste of proper grammar and spelling, why don't you.
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Skeptical 3:41PM (5/28/2006)
"Plus, you can always convert the TDI to accept used vegetable oil, which is free."
Exactly how much free vegatable oil do you think there is? You can convert it to run on straight vegtable oil but that involves having two tanks one for diesel and one for vegie oil. Conversion also cost money. That second tank usually goes in the trunk. Goodbye practicality. You need two tanks because you need to start on regular diesel until you warm up and cool down on diesel as well. So all in all this is pretty inconvenient and there is not much free vegtable oil at all.
The more common choice is to use biodiesel which usually costs about the same as regular diesel, unless you do the conversion yourself which is not something that most people would be willing and able to do.
So if you want to push diesel, at least have some clue about the realities.
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jmp123 3:45PM (5/28/2006)
AutoBlog Editor,
Please read the Free Press story more carefully. There is no mention of VW bringing in old 06 TDI Passats to the market. They are instead going to stockpile 06 TDI Jettas.
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Mal Fuller 3:47PM (5/28/2006)
"Please education yourself...."
Saith the "spelling freak"!, proving that spelling is only but one part of good language skills!
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anonymous 4:36PM (5/28/2006)
Used cooking oil is free. Just go to a restaraunt amd the will most likely just give it to you.
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Cody Peterson 5:54PM (5/28/2006)
First of all, yes I love diesels and I'm sad about how VW isn't going to be able to import them anymore.
However, I have this prediction I'm going to throw out there: I feel that Honda is going to be the first people to introduce diesels to America and when they do, I predict with Honda's usual success, that diesels will take off just like they did in the 70's / 80's :-) (but instead this time they'll be fast, un-smelly, and practical for everyone). My 2 cents...
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Cervus 5:58PM (5/28/2006)
Glenn:
So, how long is that battery pack going to last? And how much is it going to set you back when you do?
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tom 6:05PM (5/28/2006)
Bad news :(
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Bill 6:42PM (5/28/2006)
#11 is right. Besides, VW's TDI is behind the times anyway. Hopefully, they will return to the US market for MY 2008 with an updated CDI that will run on reformulated US fuel. But by then, they'll probably have some serious competition from Honda.
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matt 8:37PM (5/28/2006)
Theres an 8 year warrenty on the battery i think. At least in canada.
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kevin 9:35PM (5/28/2006)
I think that being without tdi vw for one model year is not the end of the world.. The funny thing is vw and others have known about the pending 07 requirements for a while now..they are not impossible to meet - larger diesel engine companies can do it like Cat and Detroit Diesel surely VW can.
I agree that the recent news of Honda getting some diesel engines ready for the n/a market is great news - I know I would be interested!!
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Howard Kerr 10:45PM (5/28/2006)
I love all the "experts" on diesels here.
1.) "VW's diesel tech has lagged behind other manufacturers.
Just because VW's diesels in the U.S. are old-fashioned, does not make ALL the company's diesels technologically backwards. VW uses common rail and high pressure diesel fuel injection in Europe. Diesel fuel in the U.S. is so crappy that VW hasn't been able to send their latest/most advanced diesels here.
2.)"diesel standards are exactly the same as for petrol powered cars"
To my knowledge, gasoline powered cars don't have to meet the standards for particulates as part of tailpipe emissions that diesel powered cars and trucks will now have to meet. In my part of the country, there are emission inspections in the major metro areas. If you live in the "right" zipcodes here, you DON'T have to get yearly emissions/tailpipe inspections. Diesel vehicles DO NOT have to go through these inspections. Until recently, the Federal emission regs on diesel and non diesel vehicles were different, in recognition of their different fuels and ignition properties. NOW that the regs are finally starting to become nearly the same for diesel and gasoline engines, we are seeing manufacturers of diesels having problems.
If the regs governing diesels and non-diesels HAD been the same, why are companies like VW NOW running into problems....especially since the regs for gas powered cars hasn't changed dramatically, recently.
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Howard Kerr 10:54PM (5/28/2006)
I love all the "experts" on diesels here.
1.) "VW's diesel tech has lagged behind other manufacturers. "
Just because VW's diesels in the U.S. are old-fashioned, does not make ALL the company's diesels technologically backwards. VW uses common rail and high pressure diesel fuel injection in Europe. Diesel fuel in the U.S. is so crappy that VW hasn't been able to send their latest/most advanced diesels here.
2.)"diesel standards are exactly the same as for petrol powered cars"
To my knowledge, gasoline powered cars don't have to meet the standards for particulates as part of tailpipe emissions that diesel powered cars and trucks will now have to meet. In my part of the country, there are emission inspections in the major metro areas. If you live in the "right" zipcodes here, you DON'T have to get yearly emissions/tailpipe inspections. Diesel vehicles DO NOT have to go through these inspections. Until recently, the Federal emission regs on diesel and non diesel vehicles were different, in recognition of their different fuels and ignition properties. NOW that the regs are finally starting to become nearly the same for diesel and gasoline engines, we are seeing manufacturers of diesels having problems.
3.)."...larger companies like Cat and Detroit Diesel can (meet these standards) why can't VW"
The story on that one is that Cat AND Detroit Diesel haven't found it so easy to meet these regs. Up until a year ago, media were filled with reports that BOTH these companies, AND their many customers, were looking to backup plans in case Cat and D-D didn't make the '07 deadline. I don't know why, but I rarely read stories about either company petitioning the EPA for an extension on the rules phase-in. BUT THIS HAS NOT BEEN A WALK IN THE PARK FOR ANY DIESEL ENGINE COMPANY IN THE U.S.
If the regs governing diesels and non-diesels HAD been the same, why are companies like VW NOW running into problems....especially since the regs for gas powered cars hasn't changed dramatically, recently.
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