Originally Posted by Schneegz
Here's my proposal. Put Diesel engines in the most popular SUVs and pickups. The Honda Pilot, Toyota 4Runner and FJ Cruiser, Nissan Pathfinder and Exterra, should all have a Diesel option. They'll never be as popular in the States as they are in Europe, because of all the artificial boosts European governments give Diesels, but they could very well take up 10-20% of total car sales, and maybe 40-50% of light truck sales.
Interesting you mention that because when Honda admitted working on a US-legal V-6 turbodiesel, they said this engine will primarily end up on the Acura MDX, Honda Pilot and Honda Ridgeline models. Indeed, I see the biggest impact of cleaner turbodiesels in the SUV, light truck and possibly minivan market, where the high torque peak and 30-35% better fuel economy compared to equivalent gasoline engines would be welcome. Indeed, this is why companies like Catepillar and Cummins are working on clean-burning turbodiesels for pickup trucks and SUV's from the
Big Three auto manufacturers over the next few years. In short, don't be surprised that the Cadillac Escalade offers a next-generation
Duramax turbodiesel engine with very low emissions, no visible exhaust and no diesel rattle within the next two years.