Diesel Mileage: 1989 – 1997

3 thoughts on “Diesel Mileage: 1989 – 1997”

1. I was recently in Italy for a few weeks and was elated to find that “small-engined” diesel cars are the current vehicle of choice for urban transit.
   I saw a “sneaker-sized” Peugeot diesel two-door that the driver – a pizza delivery driver – claimed to get over 80 miles per gallon in. (We did some calculator-based conversions from liters to gallons and from kilometers to miles.) All the (not-so) “Big Three” car companies should be incinerated for their lack of innovation in the ultra-high-mileage car category.
   Do they seriously think we should give a Tinker’s dam about their ‘sales’, when they don’t give a rip about what the consumer wants?
   I “buy American” whenever possible – even at a price premium – but for cars, I’ll buy foreign EVERY TIME!

2. @George – I’ve just spent three days out at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit and have come away with a different perspective, specifically after speaking at length with a good number of folks at Ford, including their CEO, Alan Mulally.

   ( See: http://www.mpgomatic.com/2009/01/14/dinner-with-fords-ceo-alan-mullally/ )

   Our automakers are committed to the cutting-edge technologies. The biggest single problem is our lack of a national energy policy. Now that the Oil Men are leaving power, we can hope that things will change for the better.

   With the hook up between Chrysler and Fiat, we’re in the best shape ever with regard to the potential availability of clean diesel engines and ultra-high MPG vehicles. Fiat is among the world’s leaders in diesel technology.

3. Mr. Bishop,
   On this very website we see how American ingenuity provided cars and trucks delivering 40-50 mpg in the late 70s and early 80s following the gas crunch of the early and mid 70s. But nobody wanted them! American auto manufacturers only built what people wanted to buy. Now that people want high mpg cars, they will be built again. It’s partially government interference in the market that has slowed development of fuel efficient cars and driven up costs in the showroom. Don’t worry, in time the free market will meet consumer demands – even yours. Industry doesn’t turn on a dime.