Lutz Talks Back III - What about Diesels?

[Flybrian]

Lutz Talks Back Part III
"Hey Bob...what about Diesel?"

Once again, another video interview with the Vice Chairman has been released on GM FastLance Blogs. In this segement, Mr. Lutz covers a topic many of us have been pondering ourselves - Diesel powertrains. Most notably, why the heck don't we have them here now? After reiterating much of what we knew about the stringencies of US Bin V, Tier II emissions (six times higher than Euro V standards) as well as the even higher local requirements in California and a handful of northeastern states, Mr. Lutz goes on to tell us, yes, those regs can be satisfied with urea and similar catalysizing systems.

However, there is a cost. Mr. Lutz gives us figures between $2,000-2,800 additional for the hardware and emissions equipment on top of the $1-2,000 premium of a Diesel engine alone, which amounts to anywhere from a $3,000 to $4,800 impact on your MSRP. Because of this, he indicates that Diesels by themselves are not a cost-effective way of meeting the proposed CAFE requirements on top of the fact that the cleaner a Diesel is, the less economical it is. He mentions direct injection and homogenous stratified charged engines (3-4 years away) as ways that regular gasoline engines can come very close to meeting Diesel efficiency while passing emissions requirements.

And despite the aforementioned, Mr. Lutz clearly states GM will be "introducing Diesel passenger cars in the United States" and a yet unmentioned "V6 Diesel engine for crossovers, passenger cars, and light duty trucks" in addition to telling us again about the 4.5l Duramax V8 coming soon to GM's pickups and SUVs, but still cautioning us that simply tossing Diesel engines into every vehicle GM makes is not a reasonable solution to the CAFE problem.

He closes by reading a statement claiming that GM is "asleep at the wheel" when it comes to developing turbodiesels in cars and simply responding, "I don't think so."

We're on your side, Mr. Lutz...prove us right.

I know alot of you guys are big oil-burner fans, so let Mr. Lutz know what you think of his statements. Respond here...
Checking Back with Bob
...and make sure you mention where you're from...Cheers and Gears!

[CSpec]

Lutz is great, but I bet some company will just introduce diesel passenger cars in the US and sell them at a loss so they can get publicity and reputation (cough Prius cough).

[eldiablobanshee]

Lutz is great, but I bet some company will just introduce diesel passenger cars in the US and sell them at a loss so they can get publicity and reputation (cough Prius cough).

Toyota does have enough money to absorb the loss so you never know.

[Drew Dowdell]

You think Toyota bought Isuzu for no reason?

[GXT]

Lutz is great, but I bet some company will just introduce diesel passenger cars in the US and sell them at a loss so they can get publicity and reputation (cough Prius cough).

GM has stated that they are considering subsidizing some of the ~$10,000 premium for the two-mode hybrid, so perhaps they will do the same for diesel.

[siegen]

US Bin 5 is 6 times tougher than Euro 5, and it can only be met through the use of urea, which gets injected in with the diesel fuel

or through the use of a better catalytic converter.

[RJB]

The 4.5L is sweet, what a cool looking engine when you see it in person.

[pow]

CA or NE requirements are at Tier 2 Bin 5 levels .

Edited July 14, 2007 by empowah