You're too stupid to... own a diesel small truck

[ducatiz]

This begs the question though... how hard would it be to obtain one of the diesel powerplants from the holden and retrofit it into a US built GM/Chevy?  I know importing the whole truck wouldn't work, bu the engine should be fine.

Importing an engine is the same as importing a car if you are putting it into a road car.

[WarrenJ]

I've got a Diesel Jeep Liberty - they made 10K of them in '05 and '06.  Great engine but less great transmission.  Have had ongoing issues with the tranny including a complete replacement.  On our way back from Wyoming last week, we blew a turbo hose, which led me to a great website that has a number of fixes for the power, transmission, reliability and mileage issues.  Applied the basic four fixes described and have more power and a measured 10% increase in mileage.  Wish I'd have known this stuff 80K miles ago!

One nice thing - this was the first time driving in the mountains in Wyoming on 8 to 10+% grades where I never ran out of power. 

I have no idea why they dont stuff these engines in lots of vehicles.  I'd love to have a Dodge Dakota with this little turbo diesel in it. 

Cruised at 105 with it for a few miles in Middle of Nowhere, Wyoming.   

[Speedbag]

I'd rather have this.

If I could get one of those with AWD and a diesel I would dump my beloved F150 in a heartbeat.

[ZLTFUL]

Screw the trucks, I just want the Holden Commodore here in the States 

[bevel]

Guess I'd have to import the bodywork 

It's honestly the shape of the front end that bugs me on the Pontiac. The split grille, plus the hood scoops, just turn me off.

[Randimus Maximus]

Working for one of the manufacturers that has diesels elsewhere but not the states, I can tell you that there is a number of reasons why you can't get them here.

It's quite complicated.

Economies of scale (not practical to only build 10k diesel Tacomas out of 120k total - particularly since that segment continues to shrink), the ongoing (false) negative perception of diesels, diesel prices and limited diesel fuel refining capacity issues, emission requirements, cost to dealers for technician and sales consultant training, and primarily polytix, which are verboten here.

Honda was planning to bring a diesel car (Accord, I believe) here by now, but scrapped those plans when the economy tanked.

Personally, I'd love to see them here, but I doubt it will happen anytime soon.

[the_Journeyman]

After spending a month in Australia, I REALLY wonder what automakers in the US are thinking.  There are some AWESOME diesels available over there.

JM

[Popeye the Sailor]

Yup-I want a small diesel pickup. I have no need for a giant one, and the current small gas ones ain't gonna cut it.

Lameness.

[Punx Clever]

Importing an engine is the same as importing a car if you are putting it into a road car.

Who says I'm putting it in car? Perhaps I'm looking to see how the I4 turbo diesel will work driving an irrigation pump.   

[Mother]

Whatever the trend is

It is affecting business

We're changing our entire fleet over to gas motors

It's madness

[MikeZ]

My business got away from diesels about 10 years ago for several reasons.  We run 3/4 ton utility body pick-ups and 3/4 ton vans.
1) Diesel started costing as much or more then unleaded gas.
2) Mileage isn't that much better then gas engines.
3) Nearly impossible to find a good diesel mechanic. We were constantly changing shops to try to find a good mechanic.
4) We keep trucks a long time and we can replace 2 gas motors for the cost of 1 diesel.

Was a pretty easy decision for us.

[WarrenJ]

Competent mechanics is a big issue with the Jeep Diesels.  Most dealerships are clueless on how to work on them.  I've taken mine in for an oilchange and they had to go to the store across the highway to get the oil.  (Mobil 1)

There really is no support for the jeep diesel engines.

[ducatiz]

Who says I'm putting it in car? Perhaps I'm looking to see how the I4 turbo diesel will work driving an irrigation pump.   

Doesn't matter.  It's an engine designed for use in a car. 

Then again, if you ship it marked as a lawnmower engine, who knows?

[ducatiz]

My business got away from diesels about 10 years ago for several reasons.  We run 3/4 ton utility body pick-ups and 3/4 ton vans.
1) Diesel started costing as much or more then unleaded gas.
2) Mileage isn't that much better then gas engines.
3) Nearly impossible to find a good diesel mechanic. We were constantly changing shops to try to find a good mechanic.
4) We keep trucks a long time and we can replace 2 gas motors for the cost of 1 diesel.

Was a pretty easy decision for us.

Local FD has both gas and diesel ambulances.

They report a 40% difference in diesel vs gas mileage in their fleet.  The speculation is that diesel uses a lot less fuel when they idle, which ambulances do a lot of when in use.

[ducatiz]

Competent mechanics is a big issue with the Jeep Diesels.  Most dealerships are clueless on how to work on them.  I've taken mine in for an oilchange and they had to go to the store across the highway to get the oil.  (Mobil 1)

There really is no support for the jeep diesel engines.

That really speaks to the lack of skill by the mechanics (or unwillingness by the dealers to allow them to learn.)

Diesels aren't any more complicated than a modern gasoline engine.  The direct injection (gas) on our car looks pretty much the same as a diesel except the spark plugs.