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Imported Diesels
In Canada we are able to import vehicles 15yrs old (1990+) with few, if any, restrictions. Currently there are several companies importing low mileage, high efficiency diesels from the Far East (mostly Japan and Australia). The vehicles of note here are Toyota Diesel Landcruisers. These diesel units exceed 30mpg (Up to 38mpg Imperial), and are large SUV-type vehicles (not the posuer SUVs of North America, but the miserly SUVs of fuel-poor countries that have long suffered from high oil prices).
Many owners use biodiesel in these vehicles and are VERY happy with the fuel economy. Another trick being used by owners to add to the fuel economy is to "propane-inject" the diesels. Diesels typically are burning off 25% of the fuel as the black smoke you often see coming from these vehicles. This is inefficient, and the number one reason many folks claim diesels are harmful to the environment. With propane injection the use of the diesel exceeds 95%. This is VERY CLEAN. Combine this with the higher fuel economy of the diesel (and biodiesel), and you suddenly have a larger vehicle (a Landcruiser LJ is close to the size of an Isuzu Trooper) with fuel economy better than a Subaru Forester...
Comments? Anyone use one of these vehicles?
Many owners use biodiesel in these vehicles and are VERY happy with the fuel economy. Another trick being used by owners to add to the fuel economy is to "propane-inject" the diesels. Diesels typically are burning off 25% of the fuel as the black smoke you often see coming from these vehicles. This is inefficient, and the number one reason many folks claim diesels are harmful to the environment. With propane injection the use of the diesel exceeds 95%. This is VERY CLEAN. Combine this with the higher fuel economy of the diesel (and biodiesel), and you suddenly have a larger vehicle (a Landcruiser LJ is close to the size of an Isuzu Trooper) with fuel economy better than a Subaru Forester...
Comments? Anyone use one of these vehicles?
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Comments
What is wrong with North America???
Not all diesel fuel is the same. NA diesel fuel has a different sulfer content that the diesel available in Europe. Also, American emmission requirements for diesels is somewhat different than European diesels.
And finally, there is more of a public perception problem regarding diesels in this country which is not the case in Europe. Generally speaking, Americans have historically not embraced diesels in passenger vehicles.
Any info would be encouraging.
Thanks!
I hope that changes. There are some pretty good darned diesels out there that I'd like to buy. BWM, Honda even Toyota make great diesels.
If you want a diesel in the U.S., write to the companies you would like to see bring them in. I got all the addresses from the web sites and made a form letter and sent the same request to all four companies. If they get enough request for diesels, they might just give us one. I would really like a Ford Ranger with diesel.
The letter I sent is on my computer is at home and I won’t be there until after the 8th. If anyone wants to see it I’ll post it then.
To me there is no doubt that a very strong market for high mileage (35-50mpg) diesel passenger cars is emerging in the U.S. market. VW can’t keep TDI’s on the lot and Jeeps Liberty CRD is selling in numbers well above expectations. Also, Jeep has just announced that it will have the CRD as an option for the 2007 Wrangler.
Funny you should mention that particular vehicle. It was my looking for a small diesel PU truck that brought me to Edmund's. Now over 6 years later still no small diesel PU trucks. I saw one in 1999, in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska and talked to the two guys that had driven up from the tip of So. America. It was a cool little Ranger Crew Cab with a 4 cylinder diesel and 5 speed. They averaged 45 MPG on that trip. I wanted one and still want one. What is wrong with these auto makers? They sell high mileage vehicles all over the world, except in the USA! :confuse:
I talked with guy that had a 1985 Ranger diesel and was getting about 35mpg. I guess they were sold in the US for a very short time.
I have driven a number of 70/75 series Land Cruisers and intend to get one...most likely a BJ70 for a daily driver. Lots of info on importation by one of the members on my forum, she brings in 4-5 per year thru a registered importer, all legally.
The thread in the Intl corner of my forum is called "everything I learned about importing"....lots and lots of great info.
Thanks,
Chintan Talati
Corporate Communications
Edmunds.com
It seems to me I read not to long ago that the two most popular small sedans in Europe were the VW Jetta TDI and the Ford Fusion diesel.
The diesels available in the EU (and much of the rest of the world) simply will not meet these ridiculously stringent regulations. VW and Mercedes will have 50-state legal vehicles that meet these regulations, starting in the 2008 model year. But to do so, they have had to add $1000 to the cost (including urea injection system for the exhaust).
Ford is working on a 4.4l diesel for the F150 and Honda is working on a 2.2-2.4l diesel for the Accord. BMW is also working on diesels for the US market.
So the diesels are coming, albeit slowly. And you can lay the blame firmly at the doorstep of the EPA, CARB, and the various enviro-wacko pressure groups that have been the force behind these regulations.
I very much want these new diesel technologies like BluTech to be able to meet emission standards. I'll be one of the first in line to buy one. But I am not willing to sacrifice air quality for higher mpg. I guess I'm a whacko.
I was also raised in LA in the 40s and 50s. When I went back to visit my relatives in the 60s and 70s I could not breathe. It was not diesel. It was leaded gas. The VW & MB diesel cars using ULSD today are very clean. We need to look at industry and shipping for the current pollution in SO CAL.
PS
Diesel is the only way the automakers can get 35 MPG averages out of the cars and SUVs Americans want to drive.
If diesel gains popularity in this country it will be interesting to see what happens to the price of diesel fuel. My understanding is that when you refine crude oil you get so much gasoline and so much distillate. This can be adjusted to some extent but I think there are limits. This is why we are able to import so much unleaded gasoline from Europe. Since they use a lot of diesel they are left with an excess of unleaded gasoline, which is essentially their byproduct of refining diesel.
You figure all the trucks, trains, planes, tractors and ships use some form of diesel distillate. May be the reason they are holding it back in spite of the advantages with mileage.
I know the EU has a gasoline surplus that we buy a lot of.
... I believe air quality will follow efficiency and that CARB and EPA should offer incentives to the gas and Diesel engine manufacturers for economy.
I'm thinking that is the point of view that the general consensus will arrive at.