Internet rumor: Volvo pulling out of US market

[kcodyjr]

I'm not sure how much demand there really is for diesel in the US. I suppose there's a viable niche, but they surely can't afford to just start stocking the dealerships.

You can always get one through the tourist delivery program.

[jblackburn]

I'm not sure how much demand there really is for diesel in the US. I suppose there's a viable niche, but they surely can't afford to just start stocking the dealerships.

You can always get one through the tourist delivery program.

It's more than just VW now.

Chevy's bringing 2 small diesels (1 now, 1 in the near future), Chrysler has a V6 diesel...BMW and Mercedes have them in uplevel cars, and others (Mazda Skyactiv-D) are coming in the near future.

The MPG numbers from a small 4-cyl diesel are freaking ridiculous (TDI's and the Cruze diesel are showing highway numbers in the high-40's - low 50's without hypermiling), AND they have gobs of torque to boot, and are nowhere near as loud as diesels 10 years ago.

Upmarket to me is great - it means I can buy the top of the line, loaded luxury model at 45% of new price 3 years old off-lease at 0% interest and let someone else slide down the razor blade of depreciation..

This. IF the Volvo "T5/T6" 4-cyl turbo motors turn out to be any good, I will buy a used one in a couple years once they've worked the kinks out of em.

[jimmy57]

You can't buy any Volvo not sold in north America through the TDS program. They sell you a US market model because that is all they can import for you. Foreign diplomats and military are exceptions.

The diesel business is more complicated. If they can sell all diesel engines made and charge a premium in Europe or elsewhere then they will not sell them here. At least not until the production goes up. IT might go up with the new diesel 4 cylinder soon, if not now, to be built.
Mercedes sells diesel versions that cost no more, or even less, than the comparable gasoline engined car.

In many countries diesels fall into the clean vehicle group with lower CO2 emissions and get a tax breaks. The clean diesels bring a premium as a result.

[JRL]

Diesel fuel in the rest of the world is CHEAP!
In the US it's not cheap and costs the same or a little more than premium gas.
If they do anything it will be a good hybrid/plug in electric.

As for them pulling out of the USA, I was told that if the new XC90 falls flat out on his face here there could be a real chance that they could/would phase out!

[jacobharding]

As far as diesels in the U.S I cannot understand why people who drive small diesel burning vehicles must pay the same outrageous road tax that the big trucks pay. It's not fair since that tax is intended to pay for the extra wear and tear that large vehicles do to our highways and interstates. If small diesels are ever to make a good showing here then this system needs to be re-evaluated.

[jimmy57]

We perpetually underfund roads. Raising taxes on diesel was more palatable when that was done since diesels were not used by that many non-commercial users.

[jblackburn]

Diesel fuel in the rest of the world is CHEAP!
In the US it's not cheap and costs the same or a little more than premium gas.
If they do anything it will be a good hybrid/plug in electric.

As for them pulling out of the USA, I was told that if the new XC90 falls flat out on his face here there could be a real chance that they could/would phase out!

On the other hand, most turbo-4's the automotive market is being swarmed with really need mid-grade or premium to run well at all to combat knock introduced by forcing high volumes of air into the cylinders. Regular runs fine in most naturally-aspirated engines.

So...high mileage turbo-4 vs high mileage diesel-4...premium vs. diesel fuel cost, with the diesel returning a few more MPG...it's all about the same. But there's also usually a price increase for the diesel engine in a car as well.

[jacobharding]

I seem to remember the government (U.S.) making a push for clean burning diesels a few years back. Perhaps it would have behooved them to realize people don't normally volunteer to pay extra taxes.

[ThinAir]

They just put this lady in charge of North American marketing and branding. She looks nice.

http://www.swedespeed.com/artman2/publi ... erica.html