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The Diesel Thread (Was: What Volvo USA says about diesel...)

Started by ducatiz, June 05, 2008, 05:05:49 AM

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ducatiz

June 05, 2008, 05:05:49 AM Last Edit: June 07, 2008, 06:33:05 AM by ducatizzzz
I asked them why they won't import the D5 to the US.  It can be made 50-state legal with little effort.

We'd like to get an S4 in diesel.  UK has them in gas, diesel, and flex. 

Such a crock of shit.  "We are still in R&D mode".  What R&D does Volvo USA do?  The D5 has been in use for 5-7 years in Europe.  Just put a friggin particulate filter on it and sell it.

"excellent support system??"  where can you NOT find diesel?

argh.  I wish I didn't hate VWs so much...

QuoteThank you for contacting Volvo Cars of North America.

Unfortunately, we haven't made a decision on which way to go regarding Hybrids, Diesels, Bi-fuel vehicles, etc. We are still in a Research and Development mode.

At this time the whole energy situation is in a state of flux with diesel emissions standards about to be changed, various hybrid concepts being proposed, ethanol fuel being developed, etc.

Eventually we will commit to a technology, which I suspect, will be one that will continue well into the future with an excellent support system available throughout the U.S.

Sincerely,

Tracy Faerber

Customer Care
Check out my oil filter forensics thread!                     Offended? Click here
"Yelling out of cars, turning your speakers out the window to blast your music onto the street, setting off M-80 firecrackers, firing automatic weapons into the airâ€"these are all well and good. But none of them create a merry atmosphere of insouciance and bonhomie quite like a revving motorcycle.

ducpainter

#1
June 05, 2008, 05:08:54 AM
does VS own Volvo?   ;D

QuoteUnfortunately, we haven't made a decision on which way to go.....

"Once you accept that a child on the autistic spectrum experiences the world in
 a completely different way than you, you will be open to understand how that
 perspective
    is even more amazing than yours."
    To realize the value of nine  months:
    Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
"Don't piss off old people The older we get, the less 'Life in Prison' is a deterrent."


ducatiz

#2
June 05, 2008, 05:13:23 AM
Quote from: ducpainter on June 05, 2008, 05:08:54 AM
does VS own Volvo?   ;D



rofl.  no, Ford Motor does!
Check out my oil filter forensics thread!                     Offended? Click here
"Yelling out of cars, turning your speakers out the window to blast your music onto the street, setting off M-80 firecrackers, firing automatic weapons into the airâ€"these are all well and good. But none of them create a merry atmosphere of insouciance and bonhomie quite like a revving motorcycle.

ducpainter

#3
June 05, 2008, 05:20:21 AM
Quote from: ducatizzzz on June 05, 2008, 05:13:23 AM
rofl.  no, Ford Motor does!
I knew that...

just couldn't resist based on the statement about not deciding.   [laugh]

It does make one wonder if Volvo was independent if the decision would be different.
"Once you accept that a child on the autistic spectrum experiences the world in
 a completely different way than you, you will be open to understand how that
 perspective
    is even more amazing than yours."
    To realize the value of nine  months:
    Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
"Don't piss off old people The older we get, the less 'Life in Prison' is a deterrent."


ducatiz

#4
June 05, 2008, 05:27:43 AM
Quote from: ducpainter on June 05, 2008, 05:20:21 AM
I knew that...

just couldn't resist based on the statement about not deciding.   [laugh]

It does make one wonder if Volvo was independent if the decision would be different.

I am sure it simply comes down to them not having a huge market share and wanting to keep their support costs contained.  They have always been conservative business-wise.  Even in Sweden where you see them everywhere, they don't do crazy stuff with their cars.

That being said, that's exactly why I think they should introduce an S40 or S60 in diesel in the US.  Even if they can only do a 49 state version, diesel is everywhere and it would give them time to ramp up to a 50 state version.

We've been looking at getting a diesel for a few years now, gas mileage/prices are at that point where it is just crazy not to.

I just can't stand the VWs.  Looked at a Golf TDI -- gets 40+ mpg in mixed city/hwy driving and over 50 mpg hwy.  That's about 700 miles on a tank. 

But the damn thing looks like a suppository. 
Check out my oil filter forensics thread!                     Offended? Click here
"Yelling out of cars, turning your speakers out the window to blast your music onto the street, setting off M-80 firecrackers, firing automatic weapons into the airâ€"these are all well and good. But none of them create a merry atmosphere of insouciance and bonhomie quite like a revving motorcycle.

ducpainter

#5
June 05, 2008, 05:35:05 AM
With the price of diesel is the savings still there?

I have friends that own diesel pick ups that are starting to think a big gas guzzler is looking attractive when you add all the costs....purchase/maintenance/....

I realize the fuel consumption numbers are better on passenger cars, and the euro manufacturers are better at squeezing mileage from a diesel.
"Once you accept that a child on the autistic spectrum experiences the world in
 a completely different way than you, you will be open to understand how that
 perspective
    is even more amazing than yours."
    To realize the value of nine  months:
    Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
"Don't piss off old people The older we get, the less 'Life in Prison' is a deterrent."


ducatiz

#6
June 05, 2008, 05:40:26 AM
Quote from: ducpainter on June 05, 2008, 05:35:05 AM
With the price of diesel is the savings still there?

I have friends that own diesel pick ups that are starting to think a big gas guzzler is looking attractive when you add all the costs....purchase/maintenance/....

I realize the fuel consumption numbers are better on passenger cars, and the euro manufacturers are better at squeezing mileage from a diesel.

well, we'd be moving from a Volvo S70 T5 (turbo) which requires premium gas to a Volvo diesel (ideally). 

Current mileage (mixed) is about 27 mpg, so about 80% better mileage and the cost is around 20% higher.   Assuming the maintenance cost of a new car will be lower than the old one, then I'd say it would be cheaper.

I did some numbers but don't have them here.  Just fuel costs would be around half.
Check out my oil filter forensics thread!                     Offended? Click here
"Yelling out of cars, turning your speakers out the window to blast your music onto the street, setting off M-80 firecrackers, firing automatic weapons into the airâ€"these are all well and good. But none of them create a merry atmosphere of insouciance and bonhomie quite like a revving motorcycle.

cyrus buelton

#7
June 05, 2008, 06:08:23 AM
4.80 a gallon blows.

I like my Jetta TDI, gets around 600 miles to a tank.

not bad.
No Longer the most hated DMF Member.

By joining others Hate Clubs, it boosts my self-esteem.

1999 M750 (joint ownership)
2004 S4r (mineeee)
2008 KLR650 (wifey's bike, but I steal it)

ptam

#8
June 05, 2008, 06:39:49 AM Last Edit: June 05, 2008, 07:19:51 AM by ptam
It isn't as easy as it sounds, I don't think there is anyone who sells a 50-state diesel right now.  My E320 Bluetec is a 45 state vehicle (4 other states were on the CA standard since '06), and I believe for 09 with more states coming on board it sounds like it would be a 33 state vehicle.  With this many states opting out, it makes it hard for the manufacturer to make a business case to sell the vehicles.  The manufacturers want to bring the vehicles in, but getting them certified has been a bigger task than originally thought.  Although it sounds simple that the engines exist in europe, so it would be easy to bring it in, our fuel here in the US is crap compared to what you can find in Europe.  The "Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel" here in the US is still dirtier than European deisel. 

The second thing is whether or not there really is a market for the vehicle.  While there are the vocal few who really want the vehicles and understand them, the majority of Americans still think diesel vehicles as noisy, underpowered, and sooty.  These people were left with a bad taste in their mouths from the 80's and have not forgotten.  Remember GM?  Of course modern diesels are far from that, most people do not know my car is a diesel and ask me what a "Bluetec" is.

Right now, I get somewhere between 37 - 39 MPH on my diesel, so on $90 fillup, I get somewhere between 700-800 miles of range.  I was able to drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles and back on a single tank.  That's not too bad.

T-byrd

#9
June 05, 2008, 07:45:50 AM
I'm not sure about ppl not wanting diesel cars, maybe it's just CO but if it comes in a diesel they are sold before they hit the lot.  That's just for new cars, the used diesels are holding value like mad.  As much if not more than new...Crazy!!!

People that drive diesel trucks are hurting for sure, but any big car/truck/SUV driver is hurting now.  I just saw a story on the news about how the value for SUV's and trucks are in the toilet.  Go figure.  [roll]

T
00 M900, Il Cianghiale

FatguyRacer

#10
June 05, 2008, 07:50:41 AM
Quote from: cyrus buelton on June 05, 2008, 06:08:23 AM
4.80 a gallon blows.

I like my Jetta TDI, gets around 600 miles to a tank.

not bad.

Me too. Still costs less per mile to run than my Jeep Cherokee Sport.

I still dont get whats so great about the US version of the Smart Car. The fuel economy is horrible for what it is.
John Krawczyk
2002 Ducati ST4s (FIM chip, Arrow Carbys, Sargent seat, DP comfort fairing, Ducati Designs headlight, Toby steering dampener)
My Blog - The Chronicles of Fatguy Racer

cyrus buelton

#11
June 05, 2008, 07:58:06 AM
Quote from: T-byrd on June 05, 2008, 07:45:50 AM
I'm not sure about ppl not wanting diesel cars, maybe it's just CO but if it comes in a diesel they are sold before they hit the lot.  That's just for new cars, the used diesels are holding value like mad.  As much if not more than new...Crazy!!!


because you get 40+ miles a gallon
No Longer the most hated DMF Member.

By joining others Hate Clubs, it boosts my self-esteem.

1999 M750 (joint ownership)
2004 S4r (mineeee)
2008 KLR650 (wifey's bike, but I steal it)

T-byrd

#12
June 05, 2008, 08:01:31 AM
Quote from: cyrus buelton on June 05, 2008, 07:58:06 AM

because you get 40+ miles a gallon

I know...that's my point.  When I had my diesel golf I was getting mad miles, but that was in 2000...what I would give to have that car back.  :-\

T
00 M900, Il Cianghiale

ptam

#13
June 05, 2008, 08:04:24 AM
I think that people are more hooked on the Prius because it is viewed as a "green" solution.  But people don't think about what those batteries do to the environment.

But I agree ... I love having he diesel... even at $5.25/gal here in California.

Drunken Monkey

#14
June 05, 2008, 09:23:42 AM
If I switch jobs to something down the peninsula (i.e. a 30 mile commute each way)  I'm damn tempted to get an old Mercedes Diesel and do the biodiesel tank in the trunk thing.

A coworker of mine has done this and thanks to all the friendly restaurants in the city (who are happy to let him siphon used oil) he's driving for free.
I own several motorcycles. I have owned lots of motorcycles. And have bolted and/or modified lots of crap to said motorcycles...
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